[starflyte1]

I watch shows about homes for sale and notice that several have marble counter tops. Does anyone have marble? If so, in the baths and kitchen?

I like granite, but think the lighter color available in marble might be nice, but know nothing about marble. Anyone?

Thanks,
Pat

[graciegirl]

Marble stains easier than granite I believe.

[K9-Lovers]

Besides staining, marble also scratches very easily. Don't do it.

[Jerseyboy2]

Marble is a soft and pourous stone and as already mentioned will marr easily and is prone to staining and difficult to keep clean. If stone is what like, there are light color granites that you may like.

[The Shadow]

A large part of the green building focus is on healthy indoor air quality – eliminating toxins, emissions and pollutants that can cause indoor air to be more polluted than outdoors. One common and potentially dangerous health risk inside buildings has recently been found in high levels in granite finishes. This highly popular countertop choice has become suspect as an emitter of radiation and an entry point for high levels of radon gas inside the home.

Read more: Could your granite countertops be leaking radon gas? | Inhabitat - Green Design Will Save the World

http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/07/28/...-gas-exposure/

[islandgal]

If you go to Snopes and search granite counter tops, there are numerous discussions on granite counter tops. All suggest
having them tested with a device that can been found in hardware stores.

http://www.snopes.com/medical/toxins/granite.asp

Starflyte1 - When I worked briefly in a kitchen showroom, the designer told customers that marble is good for bathrooms but not for kitchens - too soft.
You might check out counter tops at Bailey's Design Center (they did many of the kitchens in new homes in TV) to see their displays.

1552 Bella Cruz Drive (in plaza facing 441, a block from the hospital)
352-751-4215

[starflyte1]

Thanks for all the replies. I will check with Baileys. I was thinking of putting marble in the baths and granite in the kitchen, so will look into doing that.

[imbrennan]

I had a marble countertop when we lived in the Middle East. It looked so good until I spilt a little lemon juice on it when cooking. It took all the shine off it and looked dreadful. I also heard from a friend that she had left a vitamin C tablet on her countertop and that was ruined in the same way. Go for corian if you can afford it - not that I can!

[jebartle]

A friend in NC got marble and didn't get sealer applied in time and now has permanent coke and orange juice stains.....Marble is beautiful but just make sure you have sealers applied....We installed granite but both are great...

[ricthemic]

Have to wonder why the countertop salesperson and or contractor does not inform the homeowner

[Mintjulep]

We put marble tiles on our summer kitchen counters. But they have a brushed surface so are not shiny and smooth. And I sealed em really, really good before we used them.
Those counters get very light use. Mostly for mixing drinks.

I would never consider marble in a kitchen. Too soft... I could see me plopping down a pan with a big turkey or something and cracking the marble. Too much fear to enjoy them!

[getdul981]

Our current home has Quartz counter tops in the kitchen and laminated in the bathrooms. This is a manmade material that looks like granite, but does not need to be sealed and there is no worry about the Radon. We plan to have something fairly bottom of the line installed initially in TV and then upgrade to Quartz as soon as we can.