In the event you’re looking out for a luxurious pure stone worktop on your subsequent kitchen or rest room challenge, marble worktops are a critical contender on your consideration and consideration. They’re undeniably distinctive, with no two worktops being an identical.
Nevertheless, whereas they will match completely together with your luxurious kitchen concepts, they could not all the time be your best option for a kitchen worktop. Right here, we take a better have a look at the advantages and downsides of marble that will help you resolve whether or not they’re value including as your dream worktop.
What’s a marble worktop?
Marble worktops are thought-about extra of a luxurious than laminate and wooden worktops. as they’re pure stone and pretty unusual.
Oli Webb, Director at Cullifords, gives up a fast clarification. “A marble worktop is a pure stone floor minimize from marble slabs, mostly utilized in kitchens and bogs for worktops, islands, vanities and assertion surfaces the place aesthetics are a precedence.”
Will Frankling, Co-founder of Kitchen Makeovers, provides, “Marble options distinctive veining and is often present in high-end traditional or modern kitchens, significantly on assertion islands or baking areas.”
Oli Webb is a Director at Cullifords, a provider of pure stones specialising in Marble, Granite, Quartzites, Travertines, Onyx and Slates. In addition they distribute man-made ceramic surfaces from SapienStone, that are particularly designed for the kitchen market.
Will Frankling co-founded Kitchen Makeovers in 2018. With over 30 places throughout the UK, their kitchen makeover service is a cheap, sustainable resolution offering a fast and environment friendly technique to replace the center of your property.
Attempt these worktops and cleaner on your subsequent kitchen challenge
Basic Marble Compact Laminate Worktop
This 12mm compact laminate worktop encompasses a stable core and is totally waterproof, heat-resistant, scratch-resistant, and low-maintenance. Affords a traditional white-and-black marble-effect end.
Wickes Marmo Nero Worktop
Designed to appear to be marble, this worktop encompasses a darkish gray marble impact with hanging white veins. It has a satin texture with a subtly uneven overlay that appears like pure stone.
HG Pure Stone Worktop Cleaner
This specialist pure stone worktop cleaner is formulated to be mild on marble and stone surfaces whereas eradicating grime, meals stains, micro organism, and cooking splashes day by day.
Execs and cons of marble worktops
Marble worktops have quite a bit to supply, however usually are not all the time probably the most sensible choice. Right here we have a look at the professionals and cons fo this kitchen concept that will help you resolve if they’ll work on your wants.
+Distinctive aesthetic
Marble is a traditional alternative for extra upmarket kitchens, due to its individuality. Webb shares why, “Marble is prized for its pure veining, color variation and depth, with no two slabs ever the identical.”
He provides, “This uniqueness offers kitchens and bogs a way of class, character and authenticity that man-made supplies can’t replicate.”
+Cool floor
The visible attraction of a worktop is essential, however practicality performs a job. Franklin factors out one area of interest, “Marble stays naturally cool (under room temperature), which makes it the premier alternative for bakers.” He provides, “It is excellent for rolling out pastry or tempering chocolate with out the elements sticking or melting too shortly.”
+Numerous alternative
Alongside its distinctive aesthetic, there are several types of marble which add to its individuality. Webb shares what’s out there: “There are various several types of marble, starting from traditional Carrara varieties comparable to Calacatta, Statuario and Arabescato to more durable inexperienced marbles from Europe and India, in addition to Portuguese marbles.”
He provides, “Some carry out higher than others, making knowledgeable choice key.”
+Lengthy-lasting
If properly taken care of, marble is usually a long-time good friend of a kitchen. Webb shares why, “Not like many engineered surfaces, marble will be re-polished in situ. Scratches, etching and stains can normally be eliminated over time, permitting the floor to evolve and age gracefully somewhat than needing alternative.”
-Extra vulnerable to stains and injury
Marble is sturdy, however not as hardy as different stone surfaces. Webb factors out, “Marble is softer and extra porous than granite or quartz, which means it will probably scratch, stain or etch if not correctly sealed or maintained.”
Common upkeep is essential to making sure it doesn’t scratch or stain. Nevertheless, this injury can be seen as giving the fabric character, suiting some folks’s style. Webb explains, “Some owners worth the character and patina somewhat than a flawless, utilitarian floor.”
-Not all marbles are the identical
Marble is available in numerous ranges of hardness, so some are higher than others for kitchens, as Webb shares, “There’s a spectrum of more durable and softer marbles. Softer varieties are higher suited to low-traffic areas comparable to rest room partitions or vanities, whereas more durable marbles are extra applicable for worktops when correctly sealed and maintained.”
-Expensive and heavy
The load and nature of marble can imply it wants specialist therapy, says Franklin. “It is heavy, typically requiring bolstered cabinetry, and the set up is advanced.”
He provides, “The price of the uncooked materials mixed with the specialist templating and becoming makes marble a major funding.”
Typical prices of marble worktops
Marble is a pure materials and costlier than different worktop sorts, comparable to laminate, stable wooden, and Corian, which lend themselves extra to being the greatest kitchen worktop kind on a price range.
The kind of marble and color will even have an effect on the general value.
On the decrease finish of the value scale, you’ll be able to anticipate to pay round £800 per m2. Frankling factors out what kind of marble you sometimes get for this value, “Customary Carrara marble.” He provides, “The traditional Italian alternative, that includes a softer grey-white background with delicate, diffuse feathery veining.”
However costs can simply move the £1000 mark (per m2). Frankling shares what’s typical of a mid-range marble worktop, “Arabescato or Statuario. These slabs characteristic a a lot brighter, cleaner white background with bolder, extra distinct darkish gray or black patterns.”
On the prime finish of the market, Frankling says, “Calacatta Gold or uncommon boutique stones. These premium slabs are chosen for his or her pristine crystal constructions and dramatic, thick veining typically that includes gold or copper tones.” The costs for these marbles can simply exceed £2000 per m2.
Marble worktops are onerous to seek out in native {hardware} shops, so store round on-line to see what’s out there and the way a lot you’ll be able to anticipate to pay. If potential, Webb suggests visiting a neighborhood provider to see what you’re getting: “View the precise slab you may be utilizing and take samples dwelling to check.”
In the event you’re on a price range, you will see marble-effect worktops out there in most native {hardware} shops.
Practicalities of marble worktops
Simple to take care of
There isn’t a lot upkeep concerned to maintain marble worktops performing and searching their greatest. Common sealing (each 6-12 months) with an applicable sealer (like this Zep Pure Stone Sealer from Amazon) is critical. Past this, Webb says, “Every day cleansing with a clear fabric and delicate soapy resolution is enough.” He warns, “Keep away from harsh or acidic cleaners.”
Lengthy lasting
Marble is a stable pure floor that can final for years, however it can want taking care of, as Webb shares: “With correct sealing, care and occasional skilled upkeep, marble worktops can final for many years.”
He provides, “Their means to be re-polished means they are often refreshed somewhat than changed.” Nevertheless, Farnkling factors out, “The end could patina (scratch/etch) over time.” However this enhances the aesthetic attraction and attraction of proudly owning a marble worktop.
Stains and steam can have an effect on marble
Marble is porous, which suggests it is inclined to stains, warmth, water and steam, however common upkeep will assist considerably. Webb says, “Staining can happen if spills are left and the sealant fails. Nevertheless, a good-quality sealant considerably reduces this threat, and most stains will be eliminated utilizing a poultice or specialist cleansing.”
Warmth is just not marble’s good friend both, however Webb suggests, “Utilizing trivets for warm pans is strongly suggested. Thermal shock or discolouration can happen if very popular gadgets are positioned immediately on the floor.”
Unsure how marble worktops will match into your newest kitchen structure concepts? Try our information to kitchen structure errors to keep away from pricey errors. And check out our white kitchen concepts, as they stands out as the excellent match on your marble worktop.
