People love the look of Bianca Carrara marble for their kitchen but how practical is it?
(Bianca Carrara)
Bianca Carrara (compared to granite) is very soft and porous. Acidic juices from tomatoes or lemons etc., can etch it, red wine can stain it, and it scratches easily. So in a kitchen where the counter top meets oils, sauces and chopping regularly, it may not be the most practical choice.
A good sealer is a must to help stop marble from staining. Anything that spills on marble will have to be wiped up immediately.
Treat the marble with care
Whether or not the marble is the right material for you is a lifestyle choice. For those busy people that don't have the time to clean messes right away, they may not want to go with marble but a granite or even quartz counter top. When purchasing a marble counter top, you have to be prepared to take the time to care for it. It is also interesting to note that marble counter tops have been used in homes and restaurants for hundreds of years and they didn't have the sophisticated sealers that we have now, they let it stain, chip and etch and still consider it beautiful.
When customers come to Latitude for Bianca Carrara or other marbles for your kitchen counter top, we tell our customers that we don't recommend marble for kitchens; that it stains, chips and etches and ask you fill out a waiver to ensure that our customers understand the nature of marble. We want our customers to be informed and to make the best decisions. If you are choosing marble for you your kitchen, ask yourself these three important questions.
- Am I ready to seal it every year?
- Am I prepared to wipe all spills and messes right away?
- Can I continue to love my marble as it ages, even if it does stain, chip or etch?
If you answer yes to these questions, then go for it! If you answer no or are unsure of your answers, then a granite or quartz counter top may be the better choice for you.