Marble worktops in Cambridge

Know what marble does

Marble is mostly calcite, a mineral that reacts with acid. A splash of lemon juice, wine or vinegar leaves a dull mark called an etch, which no sealer can fully prevent. It is also softer than granite, so it scratches more easily, and it can stain if oils sit on it.

Many people are happy with that. Over the years marble picks up a soft, lived-in look that suits older houses well. If you want a kitchen that looks new for ever, quartz or porcelain marble-effect designs are the honest recommendation.

Polished or honed

Polished marble has a mirror shine that shows etch marks clearly, because the dull patches stand out against the gloss. Honed marble has a satin finish, so etching blends in. In a hard-working kitchen honed tends to win, while polished marble shines on a vanity or a showpiece that sees little cooking.

Marble and Cambridge limescale

This is where hard water and marble clash. Almost every limescale remover is acidic, and it will etch marble the first time you use it. In Cambridge the fix is a habit rather than a product: towel the tap area dry after each wash-up so no scale forms, and stick to a marble-safe cleaner.

Some people choose marble for an island or a baking station and a tougher stone around the sink. It is a sensible split.

Sealing

Sealing slows down staining from oil, coffee and red wine. It does nothing against etching, because the acid reacts with the stone itself. We tell you which sealer suits your marble and how to tell when it needs redoing.

Silica and marble

Marble contains very little crystalline silica, around 2% according to SafeWork NSW. People looking for a natural surface with a low silica content often start here. It still has to be cut wet, as all stone should be.