The Benefits Of Marble Kitchen Countertops.

One of the most highly prized materials for kitchen countertops is marble stone.  Although the main reason for the popularity of the marble countertop is the beautiful appearance of the stone, there are many other properties that are signature to marble that make it an excellent countertop material.  Any person that is considering a marble countertop for their home should know what the benefits of having a marble countertop will be in order to make an informed decision about their purchase.

When a person is choosing a marble countertop for their home, they will have two choices of countertop types to choose from.  The first type of countertop is a countertop made out of large slabs of marble placed onto a special high-strength cabinetry foundation.  Countertops made out of marble slabs are very expensive, but are very strong and will probably last for the rest of the homeowner's lifetime.

The second type of marble countertop that is generally chosen to be placed in a home is a countertop made out of marble tiles.  These marble tiles are glued to a countertop base, which is generally made out of concrete, using a special adhesive and covered with a thick layer of sealant to protect the marble tiles.  These countertops are less expensive because less marble is used in the construction of the countertop, but the tiles can become damaged if enough stress is placed on them and the countertop can be very expensive to repair.

Both types of marble countertops are heat resistant and can withstand the temperature of many hot items, but placing a hot item directly on the surface of the countertop can damage the sealant finish of the countertop resulting in permanent marks being burned into the layer of sealant.  The only way that this can be repaired is by stripping the layer of sealant off of the surface of the countertop and resealing the damaged area, which can cost quite a bit of money if done by a trained professional.  Marble countertops can be a lovely addition to any home, but the expense of creating, installing, and maintaining the countertop deserves careful consideration before deciding to purchase the countertop.