Q: Do marble countertops crack easily?

• <div><p>Marble countertops don&rsquo;t necessarily crack easily. However, they are more susceptible to damage than some other <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/countertop-types-materials.htm">types of countertops</a>. For example, they can develop etching from acidic liquids, such as lemon or tomato juice. Marble can also chip at the edges if you drop a heavy pan. A faux marble countertop isn&rsquo;t as delicate as the real deal (depending on the material you&rsquo;re painting over), but it can still get scratched if you&rsquo;re not careful. Use hot pads and cutting boards to protect the countertop.</p></div>

Q: How do you update granite countertops without replacing them?

• <div><p>You can&rsquo;t change the color of the stone, but you can update granite countertops without replacing them by painting them. Because granite is a porous material, you&rsquo;ll want to seal them first before painting them so that the paint doesn&rsquo;t hurt the surface. This is important because you don&rsquo;t want to devalue your counters by damaging the original surface; even if you don&rsquo;t like the color now, you or a new homeowner may want to remove the paint someday and return them to their original color. You can also cover them with </p></div>

Question 1

Do marble countertops crack easily?

Accepted Answer

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Marble countertops don’t necessarily crack easily. However, they are more susceptible to damage than some other types of countertops. For example, they can develop etching from acidic liquids, such as lemon or tomato juice. Marble can also chip at the edges if you drop a heavy pan. A faux marble countertop isn’t as delicate as the real deal (depending on the material you’re painting over), but it can still get scratched if you’re not careful. Use hot pads and cutting boards to protect the countertop.

Question 2

Can I redo my countertops without replacing them?

Accepted Answer

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If the damage is minor, you can repair countertops without replacing them. You can also resurface a laminate countertop rather than replace it when it gets old and dingy. Countertop resurfacing is a relatively easy project, though it can be time-consuming, so you may prefer to hire a pro to do this for you.

Question 3

Is marble or granite more expensive?

Accepted Answer

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Overall, granite tends to cost more than marble. Prices for each material will fluctuate depending on the source of the stone, your location, shipping costs, and the thickness of the material. Labor to install marble or granite countertops typically ranges from $35 to $45 per hour. Granite and marble tile and slab costs compare as follows:

Marble tile: $7–$10
Granite tile: $5–$15
Marble slab: $25–$60
Granite slab: $50–$100

Marble tile: $7–$10
Granite tile: $5–$15
Marble slab: $25–$60
Granite slab: $50–$100

Question 4

How often should I seal marble countertops?

Accepted Answer

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The frequency for sealing marble countertops depends on several factors, including the quality and color of the stone, the type of sealant used, and the amount of traffic the surface receives. Marble has a porous surface that requires sealing to maintain its shine and resist scratches. As a general rule, you should seal countertops at least once a year. However, for heavily used surfaces, like those in a busy kitchen or family bathroom, you may need to reseal them every three to six months. Conversely, countertops in a rarely used guest bathroom might only need resealing every few years.

Question 5

How do you update granite countertops without replacing them?

Accepted Answer

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You can’t change the color of the stone, but you can update granite countertops without replacing them by painting them. Because granite is a porous material, you’ll want to seal them first before painting them so that the paint doesn’t hurt the surface. This is important because you don’t want to devalue your counters by damaging the original surface; even if you don’t like the color now, you or a new homeowner may want to remove the paint someday and return them to their original color. You can also cover them with