Marble Countertop Cost

Marble countertops, like most stones we stock in our showroom, are priced by the square foot. Pricing for marble countertops has a wide range. There are inexpensive marbles and there are very expensive marbles. The traditional Carrara Marble is typically a mid-level price point while your Danby marbles and exotic Italian marbles tend to be higher in price.

When choosing marble countertops, there is a lot to take into consideration. Marble is soft compared to other natural stones and therefore is prone to scratching, bruising and chipping. Scratching can sometimes be remedied but takes a considerable amount of effort and creates a large mess. Bruising happens when something hits the marble. It will create a brighter white “bruise” on the stone. These will not come out of the stone. They are deep and there for good. Chipping can happen on any countertop surface but they are usually fixable.

Etching is another issue with marble countertops. Etching occurs when something acidic or harsh comes into contact with the stone. Examples would be ammonia, bleach, citrus, and vinegar to name a few. It creates a chemical reaction and begins to eat away at the stone. Depending on the marble and what is left on the surface, etching can occur very quickly. Some marbles, like Tesoro Bianco are slightly more durable and will take longer for etching to occur. To remedy etching, the countertops have to be resurfaced. This takes a significant amount of time and labor and also creates a horrible mess. There are companies that specialize in this type of work.

Staining is also a concern with marble countertops. It is highly recommended that you seal your marble countertops to prevent stains. The sealer, however, will not prevent any of the previous issues discussed.

If we haven’t scared you off yet, then marble countertops might be for you! They are absolutely beautiful and timeless. The pure, milky white color cannot be replicated. Quartz tries to mimic Marble but there is just no comparison. If you are looking for marble countertops, try looking for a honed or suede finish to them. This finish won’t prevent any damage to them but the dullness of the surface typically makes the imperfections less noticeable.