Over the last decade, marble countertops have become one of the most popular design choices in homes across the UK. Homeowners looking to add a touch of elegance to their kitchens and bathrooms will opt for this beautiful natural stone, but is it the right choice?
In this article, we will be exploring marble’s sustainability in kitchens, the maintenance they require, how practical they are in the home and how much you would be expecting to pay.
Is marble suitable for kitchen worktops?
When it comes to choosing the right kitchen countertop, marble remains a popular choice for many homeowners. Above all, marble is incredibly beautiful and instantly improves the appearance of any space. It is one of the most visually stunning countertop choices, and its natural veining ensures that each slab is unique to your kitchen. It creates a timeless look that will never go out of style, but it isn’t just the aesthetic appeal that makes marble an obvious choice.
The average cost of a new kitchen in the UK is estimated at £8,000, with most kitchen renovations falling between £5,000 and £14,000 all in. And, although marble may look expensive, it is much more affordable than you would think.
There are marble countertops to suit everyone’s budget, with Cararra Marble being one of the most popular and cost-effective options on the market.
While cost and aesthetics are important factors to consider when choosing the right kitchen countertops, you should also be mindful of how suitable the material is in the space. Thankfully, marble is an ideal choice for a kitchen, especially when things get heated! When you’re cooking dinner, you will want to be able to place hot pots, pans and plates on your countertop without worrying about damage. With a marble countertop, you will never have to worry about your surface cracking or warping under extreme temperatures. Marble is incredibly heat resistant, meaning you will always have a clean and scorch-free worktop.
One of the reasons marble can withstand such high temperatures is because it conducts heat differently compared to other surfaces. As marble is a very dense and tough stone, heat dissipates quickly, meaning that even after being in contact with something hot such as a kettle, it will not feel any warmer. This heat resistance also creates the perfect worktop for avid bakers, as many pastries and doughs greatly benefit from being worked on such a cold surface.
How to clean marble worktops?
Marble countertops are incredibly easy to clean and maintain, provided you stay on top of it! You can keep your marble countertop looking as fresh, clean and shiny as it was when first installed if you give it a little bit of care each day.
The first tip to keeping your marble clean is to always clean up any spills, especially from wines, juices and any acidic liquids. These can all be harmful to your worktop as marble is naturally very porous, which is why you should never rub the liquid as it may stain.
You should always blot liquids away with a soft cloth and then clean the surface with another non-abrasive cloth and warm distilled water. Once the surface is clean, you should dry it thoroughly to avoid watermarks causing the worktop to appear dull. It is crucial to make sure that you only use soft cloths as marble can scratch very easily and leave noticeable marks.
Most specialists recommend using a gentle, non-abrasive surface cleaner to wipe down the surface each week, especially if you have a busy household. Doing so will ensure that any extra dirt, dust, or debris sticking to the countertop doesn’t have time to embed itself. Once cleaned, always wipe away any excess liquid with a soft cloth to avoid stains.
If you do start to notice any stains on your countertop, there are cleaning products on the market that should take care of them! However, for most stains, it is recommended to use a cleaning solution of 12% hydrogen peroxide and a few drops of ammonia. For oil-based stains, liquid cleansers that include acetone, mineral spirits, or household detergent should do the trick. But, if in doubt, you can always contact our Eurostone team, who will be happy to point you in the right direction.
If you notice that your marble worktop is looking a little dull after a couple of years, you can simply invest in a specialist marble cleaning product to bring it back to life. These cleaners will often do the trick and help remove any watermarks, grease and hidden dirt that regular cleaning doesn’t reach.
Generally, by cleaning regularly and gently, marble countertops are easy to maintain and will look great for years to come.
Are marble worktops practical?
The short answer is, yes, marble worktops are practical choices of material to be used throughout the home whether you are looking to upgrade your kitchen or bathroom. This gorgeous metamorphic stone has been used throughout history in ancient Greece and Rome, where marble was used to construct a variety of structures, from hand-held sculptures to massive pillars.
Thousands of years later, these ancient structures remain intact- a glowing endorsement for the durability and longevity of marble.
Despite having a Moh’s hardness rating of 3, meaning it is a soft rock- perfect for carving out statues, marble is an ideal and practical choice for kitchen worktops. It can scratch if it comes into contact with knives or other abrasive objects, but as long as it is correctly cared for and regularly cleaned, marble worktops will stand the test of time.
Marble is even used commercially by butchers, restaurants and cafes, which is a testament to how resilient a material it is. It is incredibly heat resistant, naturally cooling, and above all, looks fantastic in any space. The versatility and long-lasting nature of this material make it an ideal choice for homeowners looking to make an investment in their homes.
How much are marble worktops?
The price of a marble worktop can vary based on a range of factors, including thickness, colour, pattern, brand and size. It is also essential to consider other costs such as delivery, installation, access to the site and location as these will all play a part in the final price. During the installation, you may also require cut-outs for sinks, kitchen hobs, taps, electrical outlets and other kitchen appliances, which will also impact the cost.
That being said, marble countertops are not as expensive as their appearance may lead you to believe. When compared with quartz and granite, marble is available at incredibly competitive prices and at Eurostone, we are proud to offer some of the most competitive prices for marble worktops in the UK.
For a more comprehensive breakdown of Marble countertop prices, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our friendly Eurostone team, who will be more than happy to provide you with a quote for your space.
Get in touch today
At Eurostone, we are proud to offer an extensive range of Marble Countertops in various patterns, styles and colours to suit any space.
If you think a marble countertop will bring the perfect touch of class to your kitchen in 2022, why not get in touch with our friendly team at Eurostone? With over 34 years of experience in the industry, our highly experienced and professional team will be able to answer any question or query you might have. Give us a call today on 0151 356 4500 or email us at info@eurostone.co.uk
