Marble worktops, supplied & fitted

• Price fitted£350–£700+ per m²
• Thickness20mm or 30mm
• SealingYes, regularly
• EtchingAcids can mark it
• FinishesPolished or honed

Marble is a natural metamorphic stone, mostly calcite, and it's been used in kitchens and bakeries for centuries. It's the most beautiful surface we cut, and it's also the one we're most careful to be honest about. Marble is softer than granite or quartz and reacts with acids, so lemon juice, vinegar, wine or tomato can leave dull marks called etching. Many owners love the lived-in patina that develops; others would rather have a pristine surface.

If you want the look but not the upkeep, we'll show you marble-effect quartz alongside real marble so you can compare. If you want the real thing, we'll help you pick a slab with veining you love and a finish that suits how you cook.

Carrara, Calacatta or Statuario?

Carrara has a soft grey-white ground with fine, feathery grey veining; it's the most widely used and usually the most affordable. Calacatta is whiter, with bolder, more dramatic veining, sometimes with warm gold tones (Calacatta Gold); it's rarer and priced accordingly. Statuario sits between the two, with a bright white ground and striking grey veins. Because every slab differs, we recommend choosing your actual slab where possible.

What does a marble worktop cost?

Marble usually costs around £350–£700+ per square metre supplied and fitted, roughly £1,800–£3,800 for a typical 5–6 m² kitchen. Carrara is at the lower end; top-grade Calacatta and book-matched slabs at the upper end and beyond. Many customers use marble on an island and a more practical surface on the main run, which keeps the cost and upkeep down. See the worktop cost guide.

Polished or honed marble?

Polished marble is glossy and slightly more resistant to staining, but etch marks show up as dull patches against the shine. Honed marble has a soft matt finish that hides etching far better, which is why we often suggest it for working kitchens.

Living with marble

Seal it regularly, wipe spills promptly (especially anything acidic), use chopping boards and trivets, and clean with a pH-neutral stone cleaner rather than anything acidic or abrasive. Light etching can be polished out. Our care guide covers it in more detail.