Is Marble for Outdoor Kitchen Countertop Good

by Garth A.
(Overland Park, KS)

QUESTION:

I am going to build a high $ end outdoor cooking area. With respect to maintenance and weather, do marble counter-tops make sense. We live in Kansas City, extreme cold / wet winters, hot humid summers. Over the long term, will marble last? What are the maintenance requirements? Thank you Garth

ANSWER:

Of course marble countertops will last.... far longer than you or I or your house will. But in what condition is the question.

Marble will etch upon contact with acidic foods and drinks like ketchup and pina coladas, so not the best choice for a kitchen countertop inside or outside.

Etching causes dull and discolored spots. They can be repaired usually, but why create the hassle?

Granite does not etch and will not scratch as easy as marble.

Now, if you installed a honed marble (vs. polished) the etching is not as noticeable, but granite is still a far better choice from a durability and maintenance perspective.

Really, even if you installed a polished marble it will effectively be "honed" within a few years as weather takes it's toll and wears down the softer marble.

And sun and rain will also wash out stains and minimize the effect of etching, so if you don't mind temporary blemishes, then marble can still work well.

You'll find more in-depth explanations of all your questions, comparisons, maintenance guidelines, etc., on the pages of this website.

Regards,
Ryan