we're contemplating the purchase of a table with a marble top. Any care advice? there's a lot of info out there that fails to provide clearcut answers.

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I have some India marble coasters that I purchased directly from the maker in Agra.

They are supposed to be indestructible.

However, we've managed to bisect two of them by simple drops from 2 feet onto our ash flooring. (The cracks let us see a cross-section, confirming the identity as genuine marble.)

In general, marble is pretty tough stuff, though!

Beautiful and long lasting, but can be stained fairly easily. My dad has a marble topped end table that was my grandmothers. A few coffee cup rings are still pretty visible as is a small red wine stain. On darker marble, water rings can appear. My friends mistakenly put a light colored marble in their bathroom and it has not withstood the test of teenaged girls and makeup very well.

If you are very particular about your furnishings staying pristine, this may not be the way to go, especially if you have kids and/or pets. If a few spots don't bother you and you really love the look of the marble, I say go for it.

DM

I have a grey marble table in our foyer. We have had it for over 20 years and all I ever do is wipe it off occasionally with a damp cloth. We have some white marble flooring that has some stains from water and other things, but it is not terribly noticeable. If you are careful about not sitting wet things down on a table or spilling something, like wine, on it, marble can be pretty low maintenance and very beautiful. I think darker marble is easier to keep looking good.

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Roswell, GA (Atlanta suburb)

I'm not picky about spots but it seems that sealing can go a long way. anyone have experience with it?

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Quote
mattkime
I'm not picky about spots but it seems that sealing can go a long way. anyone have experience with it?

I think the main thing with sealing is that it be done properly, otherwise you could get that peeling cellophane look.

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Roswell, GA (Atlanta suburb)

marble cracks rather easily in tensile force

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Hurts like a bastid...



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/24/2012 06:20PM by mrbigstuff.

Marble like any other stone is prone to staining, etching, cracking, and chipping. It is a strong material, but not indestructible. Acids can and will etch unprotected stone.

As for stains and sealing. Some stains and etching can be buffed out by a stone professional, they can also seal it. Sealing needs to be done every 2- 3 years or sooner depending on how you care for it. FWIW - Most people don't care for their stone properly.

Edit: Simple water test to determine if you need to reseal countertop: [www.thisoldhouse.com]
I would test multiple sites. Some parts of a counter get used more often then others.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/24/2012 07:41PM by Carm.

try not to lose yours......

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I reject your reality and substitute my own!

Marble used to be limestone.