There are so many options when it comes to kitchen countertops that it's difficult to make a decision when it's time to renovate your kitchen. However, if you're looking for something elegant and classic, you probably want to consider marble. Every countertop material has its good points and bad points, and marble is no exception. Here's a look at the pros and cons of marble.

Marble Has An Attractive Appearance

Beauty is a matter of personal preference, but marble has a unique appearance that's so desirable other countertop materials often try to mimic it. It comes in different colors, so it goes well with all cabinet styles. If you're going for a white kitchen, then white marble with dark veins is the perfect match for white cabinets. Marble can give your kitchen a gourmet or upscale touch.

Marble Is Great For Baking

If you love to bake, then you'll love marble as a food preparation service. Marble stays cooler than other countertop materials, so it is perfect for kneading and rolling out dough. It's also great for making chocolate and pastry treats. The marble absorbs heat from the dough since the stone is cool. This keeps butter from melting as you work the dough so pastries and other treats that require precise temperature control turn out much better.

Marble Is Easy To Work With

Marble is readily available in supply centers, so you can find a wide selection and get your new countertops installed quickly. It's also a little softer than other types of stone, so it is suitable for custom shapes such as curved countertops. Marble even comes in tiles. If you love the appearance of tiled countertops, you can have the best of both worlds by choosing marble tiles. Tiles also make it possible to pull out a damaged section of the marble and replace it with new tiles.

Marble Requires Maintenance

The only downside to marble countertops is that they require maintenance if you want them to continue looking fresh and new throughout the years. Marble is porous, so it needs to be sealed regularly. Sealing the marble keeps liquids from seeping into the stone and causing stains. Fortunately, sealing is easy to do. Buy marble sealer at a hardware store, and apply it like furniture polish. It only takes a few minutes, and it keeps your countertops looking like new.

Marble can also be etched easily by acidic foods, so you don't want to use vinegar to clean it. You should also protect it from scratches by using a cutting board when preparing food and being careful not to drop heavy pans on it. If you don't take these precautions, your countertop may develop stains and scratches over the years, which may or may not bother you.

Letting the marble wear naturally gives it character, but if you want a gleaming kitchen, you'll probably want to seal your countertops about once a year and protect them from damage when you can. That's a small price to pay for an elegant countertop surface that adds beauty to your kitchen.