The pros and cons of MARBLE Countertops | Does it get a bad rap?

[@frankfriedlander3000]

I invented TuffSkin Surface Protection for just these reasons. No etching or staining , easy to clean, no change to the beautiful look. Enjoy your Marble and your wine!

[@hsdesignstudio]

Hey Frank- thanks for commenting! I’d love to chat more- can you reach out and send me an email at [e-mail]

[@nationaltilemosaic1224]

If you look at Europe, marble has been used for countertops for centuries, and nobody is stressing over a stain from Christmas 17 years ago. Marble just ages gracefully and becomes part of the story of your home. Sure, your shiny quartz might look amazing now and even five years from now, but here’s the thing-manufacturing and design trends change fast. Ten years down the line, everyone will know you renovated with a manmade product back in the day, and that can make your house feel dated. With marble, the aging adds character and elegance, whereas manmade materials just age your home. Marble stays timeless.

[@tessat3483]

My husband and I are remodeling our house, and we are just starting to discuss the kitchen. These recent videos about stone couture tops have greatly helped. We have small kids, soooo marble is out of the question for us, now. Thank you for all of this great information you give in these videos. I do not want to be freaking out about my couture tops, I have enough to freak out about. 🤣

[@hsdesignstudio]

Hahah, I am in the same boat as you. Young kiddos really narrowed down our choice for right now. There will come a time when I don't mind a little more maintenance and headache, just not when I have youngins running around! Thank you for watching 👍

[@nadegeflint4559]

Thanks for the great video series, very instructive. We’ve had marble on our kitchen island for 4 years. When we first met the stone artisan who made our counters he strongly advocated against Marble . We have Carrara Marble from Italy( our house is in the south of France so that was the « better » environmental choice). I didn’t take the advice because I just love the look but the cons you have underlined are not exaggerated. Even water will etch it. I am a little OCD so we have no stains and we have never sealed it or resealed it since it was installed. However if you do not live with a rag in your hand, this is not the material for you. On the other hand, if you value baking and making pasta and working yeasted doughs, it is a baker’s dream. I use my kitchen extensively for these types of tasks so I wouldn’t have anything else. I don’t agree that marble is for less used kitchens but I absolutely agree with you that it is a stone you have to keep a close eye on.

[@hsdesignstudio]

Thats for adding your experience. I definitely exaggerate when I say just for looking at. You are also right that it is fantastic for bakers, as it stays a little cooler than some other options. If you are willing to live with the cons, or as you say 'with a rag in hand', it is a beautiful stone for a countertop.

[@2deparrish]

So you didn’t seal it, yet you are agreeing/complaining about it’s issues? What countertop would you not want to seal before use? And is it polished or honed? If you don’t seal granite (and reseal it) you will have issues, though everyone thinks granite is the “gold standard”.

[@rebeccaoliver5306]

You've just broken my heart! But thanks for the facts. I have two homes I'm renovating, and for one I was leaning toward marble in the kitchen. After this video and hearing the truths about caring for them, I just don't think I can do that to the homeowner. At the same time, you confirmed my choice of quartz for the other reno. After this video, it is quartz for both. Thanks!

[@hsdesignstudio]

Ah I'm sorry! I just want to be unbiased about the options. I don't mean to break anyones heart! There are lots of people that love marble and are willing to deal with the downsides. Like I said, even i love the idea of a countertop that changes and matures. However, I also love being able to pour vinegar and not think about every little splash and making sure I wipe it up right away.

[@LNatureblush]

Great video!

[@peggys5413]

I love my marble look quartz. It's very low maintenance. I chose a small grained grey in a matte finish. It looks elegant and stands up to aggressive use.

[@themimioguy3298]

Let me sum up this video, marble is a high end, high maintenance product. It is not for the folks that need a product that will stand up to aggressive wear and tear of daily life for most families or those with kids who couldn't care less about your counter tops. There are MANY options out there that would be better for you. Marble is expensive, high maintenance, care oriented and for people who have the time and willingness to care for a timeless product that is unique, glorious and natural. Your best bet is to be honest with what you need/want. And if you do not have the time/money/patience to deal with marble then pick a different product. You'll be happy you went a different route. But for those older folks, GenZ and later who do have the aforementioned to provide, marble will provide you with a lifetime of beauty unrivaled and unequaled in any other product. It's uniqueness and flaws, like us, are what make it most beautiful to behold. Its care is one of love and appreciation for what nature has created and man has delivered, a dichotomy of beauty and care. With love, it will last and serve a lifetime!

[@mikeholm7640]

Something to consider is that etching, staining, chips are all purely cosmetic. Another thing to consider is repairing marble chips, honing, etc. are all much easier to repair than quartzite and man made quartz. Chip repairs in quartz are much harder to get to blend in and quartz can and does etch via strong solvents, like when people spill acetone/nail polish remover. When you go to repair quartz you almost always have to do the entire surface to get it to blend in however with marble you have a much better shot of getting it to blend in doing spot repairs.

[@johnholmes3584]

What do you think of putting a clear epoxy coat on top of marble?

[@williamdillon7708]

In Europe they use and abuse their marble counter tops. It's a tool to get used not a Ferrari's finished coat of paint... Think of it as the garage where the Ferrari gets serviced and is realistic.

[@yolandagonzalez-hansen1215]

Thanks for the informative video and there are so many other options that look elegant and for functional for a kitchen that is going to be used as a “kitchen”

[@hsdesignstudio]

It is beautiful, and can be just dandy if you are willing to put up with the downsides and maintenance

[@MariMari-ny6si]

Can you epoxy marble? Also, does marble emit radiation or radon? Just curious

[@kellyrodocker765]

While your information seem valid, when you get to the point where you address what you can do to over come some of the cons you don’t spend much time on sealers and anti etch coatings. Is that because your think those sealers and anti etch coatings don’t do much to offset the con? I’m working on getting information and cost quotes for these professionally installed anti etch sealers, as we are considering the beauty or marble. On a side note we had granite for 15 years and loved its performance. In our new empty nester house we are going with a modern white / gray / blue color palette, thus the marbles would look great. Granites are not white enough and most are very grainy. We are considering the Viscon White granite if we could find some predominately white slabs.

[@hsdesignstudio]

Hi Kelly- When you dig into some of the Anti-Etch sealers out there, they fail to hold up to their claims. While I think installers are a great source of information, they also have a want to sell the product they use. The big thing to dig into is the warranty of the application specialist as well as the product. Some don't warranty against normal wear and tear. For marble, that can mean etching and scratching to a relatively high level. There are A LOT of different sealers and coatings out there claiming to keep marble (and other stones) looking new. What I have found in the past is that most of these DO keep the actual stone from staining or etching, the sealers or coatings themselves can become full of scratches or gouges. I've even seen some hold onto stains. In some cases, these can then be removed and reapplied (again keeping the stone safe). But at this point, I often wonder why even use that stone to begin with? You are essentially completely covering and changing the surface of that marble material. Have you ever thought about quartzite? You can often find white varieties and it holds up far better than marble in most cases.

[@mikeholm7640]

@@hsdesignstudio I'm a Certfied Applicator for MORE Surface Care's "Anti-Etch" up in the Seattle market. There's a 10 year written warranty against staining and etching. I've done dozens of projects since I got certified in 2020 and have yet to have anything close to a failure due to staining or etching. It literally can't etch, you can pour strait muriatic acid on Anti-Etch and it won't etch. It can still scratch and we make that very clear, I even have scratches in my samples (and wear marks) to show people and you are correct, the scratches and wear (for example dragging a heavy bag of groceries leaving small marks) are not covered but are usually easily repairable for a nominal service fee. I've had 2 call backs, both consumer error (1 was a designers personal marble kitchen and their toddler had a tantrum with the backside of a spoon on the marble...put a bunch of "stun" holes in the Anti-Etch Coating...I was able to fill/repair and make "almost" invisible)... The other call back was people who had to move their refrigerator and filled boxes with food on the marble and when they put the food back they slid the heavy boxes and it left marks.

[@lindacgrace2973]

I love the patina of old marble. My compromise: my prep counters are butcher block (complete with a sweep-in-compost bin opening) with a solid marble backsplash and perimeter countertops in marble. The chief reason to use them, in my mind, is because they are historically authentic to the period of house I'm building. The only other option in a Spanish Revival is tile - with a bajillion grout lines to scrub weekly. No. Thank you. No authentic Mexican tiles in my Spanish Revival! Marble is a low-maintenance option compared to tile with grout! Besides, the marble is a clean and refreshing counterbalance to all of my antique rough-hewn plaster and wood finishes. I'm a retiree so no kids to contend with and grandkids are still too young to spread grape jelly on the counter instead of the bread. I'm seizing my opportunity!

[@hsdesignstudio]

That's fantastic! I don't actually think it is for those who don't use their kitchen- just being facetious. It's great you found a solution that allows you to take advantage of its beauty and find the best of what it has to offer. There are definitely situations in which it would be a great choice, like you found.

[@lindacgrace2973]

@@hsdesignstudio The greatest advantage of getting old - I can make eccentric choices! 😉

[@hsdesignstudio]

@@lindacgrace2973 that’s a great way to put it haha!

[@TheCavalcanti89]

I wonder which stone is the best ?

[@ryansoo4000]

Are you going to be covering metal countertops like stainless steel and copper? Also, what do you think of cork flooring in a kitchen?

[@hsdesignstudio]

If there is enough interest, I'm more than happy to do a video! What type of cork flooring? There are quite a few varieties. To be honest, I've put hardwood, laminate, LVP, tile, in kitchens and its never been an issue. I'm also not one to get water everywhere when using the kitchen.

[@ryansoo4000]

@@hsdesignstudio I've seen two videos recently on cork flooring (which I'd always assumed wouldn't be hygienic in a kitchen) but they said cork flooring was a fantastic choice as long as it's sealed. They used it a lot in older libraries where it takes a lot of abuse and I know they used it in the bathrooms at Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater. As an aside, on a recent video from Home Diagnosis TV on the indoor chemistry happening all around you the hosts mentioned that you should avoid vinyl in all forms - which means vinyl flooring. What have you heard on this topic? kzbin.info/www/bejne/b2G4YoZnmdihr9k Minute 23:40 As for countertops, I know butcher block is great for an island (not so much next to the sink) but wouldn't stainless steel be a great choice for the prep area?

[@hsdesignstudio]

I've known a few people that have used cork flooring (sealed) and they have loved it. Its also available in quite a few different varieties now (plank, roll, etc). As for vinyl, it probably isn't the best. But they really don't say why they don't like it in that video. Also keep in mind, the vinyl used in commercial schools and buildings, is quite different than LVP in homes. As for stainless steel, there is actually some interesting science that shows its not nearly as hygienic as you would think. This is likely something I'll dive into in a video during this series. The short of it though is that during some lab testing using E.coli and Salmonella cultures, wood cutting boards performed better in terms of CFU (colony forming units) and clearance.

[@ryansoo4000]

@@hsdesignstudio As a safer option to vinyl, how about old fashioned linseed oil linoleum? It supposedly kills pathogens naturally. Maybe a video on natural alternatives to chemical products in construction, like non formaldehyde plywood?

[@betty8955]

Hi Home Stud guy, It looks like you don't have an air gap for the dishwasher. I don't think I've ever seen one in any of your designs. What's your opinion of dishwasher air gaps? What would you do for proper function besides?

[@hsdesignstudio]

This comes down to what code your specific location uses. There are two versions I come across which address this issue - the IRC (International residential code) which allows for a high loop drain setup. This secures the dishwasher drain line to the underside of the countertop, thus allowing it to act like a an air gap by creating an air break and keeping a syphon from forming. The UPC (Uniform plumbing and mechanical code) requires a dedicated air gap installed at the top of the surface of the kitchen sink. You would not see them in my 3D renderings or elevation work. This is something we dive into far later when working with clients and their contractors and is dependent on the geographical location.

[@betty8955]

@@hsdesignstudio Thanks very much for taking the time to reply and explaining it so clearly. You are a good egg and you do wondeful work. Have a nice Sunday! Thanks again!!

[@robintanny3318]

What are your thoughts on dolomite? We just purchased 2 dolomite slabs for our kitchen renovation. We were told that dolomite is a cross between quartzite and marble.

[@hsdesignstudio]

This is an interesting option to me- kind of like marbles harder cousin. They lean much closer to the marble end of the spectrum though, compared to harder options like quartzite (they can still scratch, ding, and etch). They still require a fair bit more care and maintenance as well. They are beautiful though!

[@robintanny3318]

@@hsdesignstudio Thank you so much. Was hoping it was closer to quartzite. I'll have to let you know what we think after we've lived with it for a bit.

[@hsdesignstudio]

@@robintanny3318 yes I would love some first hand insight. It is definitely not a common choice.

[@mikeholm7640]

Dolomites still etch. Saying they are a cross between quartzite and marble is untrue. They're still marble. That being said there can be portions of a slab that aren't nearly as acid sensitive meaning you can get away with a bit more (without etching)...

[@04Serena]

Two years later, are you happy with your dolomite? Seven years ago, I bought a home with dolomite counter tops that hadn’t been well loved. They were already etched and chipped. I chose to live with it, adding a bit more wear (character), but being much more gentle than the former occupants. It’s such a beautiful stone, I’m thinking of installing it in the home I’m about to buy. Yes, it requires extra care and maintenance, but I live alone and am very careful -- so might just choose to surround myself with something that’s beautiful and makes my heart happy!

[@2deparrish]

Interesting that you seem to lump all types of marble together. But there are some marble which are less porous/more dense, such as Vermont Danby….006 absorbency. Also, Shadow Storm, Brown Fantasy, etc. You also don’t discuss polished vs. honed (honed showing etching much less), nor do you address minimizing these issues with proper sealing, and sealants have come a long way and they differ greatly in effectiveness. I have tried to like the alternatives (quartz, quartzite, granite), but can’t even begin to compare them with the beauty of marble. So maybe you should take into account that folks don’t buy countertops purely for their usefulness. Beauty counts as well, hence the reason so many are interested in marble. I am currently being told the same “line” as you by my kitchen designer, yet have you actually had any experience with any of the harder/denser honed marbles for kitchen use?

[@hsdesignstudio]

Yes, there are a variety of marble types, but they all generally come down with similar issues. I can’t create a 10 minute video covering every possible option, especially when some are only available in certain regions or so costly to get ahold of it isn’t worth it. Yes density and porosity changes some, but still fall on the less desirable end for maintenance and functionality for MOST people. I’m not saying they are bad, or shouldn’t be used, I’m saying know what you are getting into. You seem to know, which is great, and if you want to go that route, go for it. I’ve worked with hundreds of clients, and marble is not a common choice. Most people choose beauty second to function when it comes to their countertops. It’s not a ‘line’. It comes from experience. From having clients disappointed in their choice. It comes from working with installers and fabricators. It comes from talking with stone yards.

[@hsdesignstudio]

Best of luck in your renovation

[@melaniekeeling7462]

I haven't been receiving your notifications...

[@hsdesignstudio]

I've had a few people say that..I'm not sure whats up.

[@melaniekeeling7462]

@@hsdesignstudio Did you take a break (God forbid)?

[@hsdesignstudio]

@@melaniekeeling7462 nope, still plugging away every Sunday with something new! I’d love to do more and I have a few ideas how, but the studio is so busy with design work that time is the limiting factor right now. Clients also take priority over KZbin, and that will never change.