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Marble is a timeless, classic natural stone that has been highly sought after for centuries. Marble has been used to create some of the most iconic monuments around the world that we know today, including the Lincoln Memorial, the Taj Mahal, and even the Leaning Tower of Pisa. And yes, marble can also be installed in the kitchen. It has become increasingly popular to install marble in the heart of the home. However, there are some important factors you must be aware of when installing marble in a high use area.
Marble was once limestone that achieved metamorphosis. Due to this mineralogical composition, marble is vulnerable to abrasion or chemical attack. This means it is susceptible to etching, scratching, and staining when it comes into contact with acidic elements. Exposure to lemon juice, tomatoes, red wine, and vinegar should be avoided. Acidic solutions can permanently etch the surface of marble. Although impregnating sealers do an excellent job of preventing stains, they do little to reduce vulnerability to acid attack.
If you are installing marble in a high traffic area such as a kitchen, in addition a high-grade sealer, we also recommend a solution to protect against etching. These are applied by trained stone restoration professionals. One of these products is MORE™ AntiEtch™. These types of solutions help to stop the etching and staining caused by acidic foods and liquids. For more information about the care and cleaning of natural stone, please visit our stone care page.
It all comes down to personal preference. Europeans have lived with natural stone for hundreds of years and understand that some stones have a life of their own, showing what is known as a patina. Some people find this attractive, much like a pair of your favorite jeans or a leather belt. This depends on your personal level of tolerance and preference.