Do marble kitchen countertops stain?

Most marks seen on marble are not stains but etching. Marble is calcium carbonate based; lemon, vinegar or an acidic cleaner will locally remove the gloss from a polished surface. That mark is not dirt that has penetrated the stone and is corrected by re-polishing. A true stain is liquid such as oil or wine entering the pores; an impregnator markedly lowers that risk. For heavily used kitchens we recommend a honed (matt) finish, because a matt surface hides such marks beyond what the eye can distinguish.

What is the difference between polished and honed?

In polishing, the surface is brought progressively to a shine with abrasive discs: the colour deepens, the vein reads most clearly and light reflects. In honing, the same process is stopped before the gloss stage; the surface stays smooth but matt, the colour a shade lighter and the vein calmer. Polished brings the vein forward, honed hides the traces of daily use. The difference cannot be understood from a colour chart; you can see both on the same stone in the surface comparison on our product pages.

What thickness are countertops made in?

Standard practice for countertops is a 2 cm or 3 cm slab. Where a thicker appearance is wanted at the edge, strips of the same stone are bonded beneath the slab (a laminated edge) to achieve 4 cm and above, so the visible thickness increases without adding weight. For table tops the thickness decision is taken together with the base, since the weight of the top and its deflection behaviour depend on it.

How are measurements taken — is a template needed?

Measurements are taken on site once the kitchen cabinets are fitted. In older buildings walls are rarely truly square; a top cut to a drawing leaves a gap when pushed against the wall. We therefore make a one-to-one template from card or MDF and cut to that template. Sink, hob and tap cut-outs are also made in the workshop; drilling on site increases the risk of cracking the stone.

Who decides where the vein will run?

We decide together. Which region of the slab will be used, and whether the vein runs along or across the countertop or table top, is determined before cutting; there is no remedy afterwards. On islands and table tops this is the single most important decision determining how the finished work looks. Before cutting, the template is laid over the slab and the position of the vein marked together.

What is book-matching, and can it be done with any stone?

Book-matching is setting two slabs face to face like a mirror so the vein continues symmetrically across the joint. There is a condition: both slabs must be consecutive cuts from the same block. With slabs from different blocks the weight of the veining and the tone of the ground differ, and the symmetry cannot be established. Work requiring a book-match is therefore planned this way from the point of supply.

Does marble withstand heat — can I put a hot pan on it?

Marble withstands heat, but a sudden temperature difference builds stress in the stone. Rather than setting a hot pan directly on the surface, we recommend using a trivet. Around heat sources such as built-in hobs and fireplaces, the clearance and insulation specified by the manufacturer are left; the radius given to the corners of cut-outs prevents that stress starting a crack from a sharp internal corner.

Should the sink be undermounted or top-mounted?

Both are done; the decision depends on cleaning and appearance. In undermount installation the sink is bonded beneath the top; the counter surface reads uninterrupted and it is easy to sweep water into the bowl. Because the edge of the cut-out stays visible in this method, it is polished separately. In top-mounted installation the sink sits on the counter; a fine silicone line forms at its edge, and that line is the detail which soils fastest over time.

Can a natural stone surface be renewed later?

Yes — this is natural stone's greatest advantage. Local etching and fine scratches on the surface can be corrected by re-polishing or re-honing, and in most cases the work is done with the countertop in place. This is why natural stone presents a different long-term calculation than materials whose surface cannot be renewed.

What should I use for daily cleaning?

Warm water and a pH-neutral cleaner are enough. Limescale removers and vinegar- or lemon-based products are not suitable for marble; acid leaves etching on the surface. Abrasive pads and scouring powder create a web of fine scratches on a polished surface. Rather than spreading a spill by wiping, pressing paper towel down to draw it up is the most effective method.