5 Myths About Marble

Elegant kitchen design with marble countertops and white cabinets.

You have so many more options today for your countertops than your grandparents did, and you shouldn’t fall for those myths about marble.

Countertops are no longer just a functional piece of your kitchen or bathroom—they can become a specific part of the design choices and aesthetic of your home. We love helping customers discover their options for countertops, and today we’re sharing what we’ve learned about one particularly misunderstood material: marble.

Information on Marble Countertops

Marble is a rock material made of recrystallized minerals such as calcite or dolomite. It’s collected, cut, and polished to create the shiny glaze you see in the popular countertops. Additionally, marble is considered a porous stone and is found or developed into multiple different colors and applications (like walls!).

The Most Common Myths About Marble

Though marble is very common and recognized by millions, there are a lot of misconceptions about it as a countertop material. Let’s debunk a few of these myths so you can make an informed decision as a consumer.

  1. Marble is High Maintenance. This myth is often cited by retailers or bloggers, but it’s not true. Marble is a porous stone, which means it can be stained. But couldn’t you say the same for your couch? Spills of dark liquids need to be cleaned up as soon as possible to prevent staining, but that’s all it takes.
  2. Marble is Expensive. In the past, marble was marketed as a luxury countertop material, and cost more than a laminate countertop which was popular at the time. Marble definitely provides that high-end look, but it’s actually more affordable than most granite and quartz options.
  3. Marble isn’t Food Safe. Because marble is porous, there have been fears that it can become a host for bacteria and unsafe for food. As long as you use a proper seal (which exists on most home countertop marble), you don’t need to worry about bacteria or food safety. Just keep your seal in good order and wipe down countertops frequently.
  4. Marble is too Soft. Marble is “softer” than quartz and granite; it’s true. But this isn’t to say it’s flimsy. It is still a firm stone that can stand the test of time, even in a high-use area like a kitchen island.
  5. Marble is too Common. When marble became popular there was an abundance of brown & black marble countertops around the country. Many people grew to believe that this was the only marble option. It only takes one look at a marble selection board to see that your options for color and grain are wide and interesting. You can choose a marble countertop that meets your design needs and looks original.

You have a lot of countertop options, and maybe quartz or granite is the best option for you. Just don’t make your decision against marble to be based on these common but totally off-base myths.

Intermountain Stone & Marble Offers Countertops You’ll Love

Now that we’ve busted those myths about marble, you probably want to deck out your home with stylish countertops. Intermountain Stone & Marble provides unique offerings and flawless workmanship on stone countertops of all shapes and sizes, no matter your budget.

See what we have in store for your home. We serve Salt Lake City, Taylorsville, Murray, and the greater Salt Lake County area in Utah.