Honed or polished
A honed (matt) finish hides etching better. A polished finish is glossier but shows marks more.
Marble worktops
Marble worktops, honestly explained.
Nothing looks quite like real marble. Here is what to expect from it in a working kitchen, and where it works best.
Marble worktops
Beautiful, and it will show that it has been used.
Marble has a softness and depth of veining that engineered surfaces imitate but never quite match. It is also a softer, more reactive stone than granite or quartz, and we think you should know that before you choose it.
Acids such as lemon juice, vinegar and wine can etch the surface, leaving dull marks, and marble can stain if spills are left. Many people love the lived-in patina this creates. Others prefer to use marble where it sees less wear.
We often suggest marble for splashbacks, feature walls, vanities and baking areas, with a harder stone such as quartzite, quartz or Dekton on the busiest worktops.
Enquire about marble
Living with marble
What to expect day to day.
- 01EtchingAcidic food and drink can dull the polish where they touch. Honed finishes show etching less than polished ones.
- 02StainingMarble is porous. Sealing helps, and wiping spills quickly prevents most stains.
- 03PatinaOver time marble gains a softer, lived-in look that many people value.
- 04Cool to the touchMarble stays cool, which is why bakers love it for pastry.
Where marble works best
Ideas for using marble well.
Splashbacks and feature walls
All the beauty of marble where it sees little wear.
Baking stations
A marble section of worktop for pastry and bread, beside harder-wearing stone.
Marble-look alternatives
Quartz, quartzite or Dekton with marble-style veining, for busy worktops.
Good to know
Worth checking before you decide.
Seal and wipe
Seal marble as advised for your stone, and wipe acidic spills straight away.
Consider an alternative
If you want the look without the care, marble-effect quartz or quartzite may suit you better.
Questions
Marble worktops: common questions.
Something not covered here? Ask the studio and we will help.
Are marble worktops a good idea in a kitchen?
They can be, if you are happy for the stone to show signs of use. Marble can etch and stain, so many people use it for splashbacks or a baking area and choose a harder stone for the busiest worktops.
What is marble etching?
Etching is a dull mark left when acids such as lemon juice, vinegar or wine react with the stone. It is a change to the surface, not a stain, and shows less on honed marble.
Do marble worktops need sealing?
Yes. Marble is porous, so sealing helps reduce staining. We advise on the right sealer and how often to apply it for your stone.
What looks like marble but is more durable?
Quartzite, marble-effect quartz such as Silestone, and Dekton all offer marble-style veining with less maintenance.
Keep exploring
Related pages.
Start a conversation
Compare marble and its alternatives.
Visit the Ruislip showroom to see marble beside quartzite, quartz and Dekton.