The Spruce / Kevin Norris
Natural marble brings unique colors and distinctive patterns to countertops.
On a linear basis, marble countertops cost an average of $140 per foot.
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The Spruce / Kevin Norris
One linear foot of countertop run equals 2 square feet of countertop since countertops are about 2 feet deep.
Kitchen islands are 3 to 4 feet deep (wide).
Peninsulas can be narrow (2 feet) or if used for eating, 4 or 5 feet deep.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
Arabescato Vagli
Much of Carrara marble can have a mild appearance.
This marble has a stark white background and dark grey streaks.
Arabescato Vagli slabs cost around $150 per square foot, uninstalled.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
Calacatta
Calacatta marble countertops are more expensive than Carrara counters.
They can cost up to $180 per square foot.
Statuario
Statuario marble counters start at around $50 per square foot.
Danby
Danby marble costs around $80 per square foot.
Makrana
From Rajasthan, India, Makrana marble starts at around $12 per square foot.
Makrana marble is stark white and has few variations.
Black
Black marble counters start at around $75 per square foot.
Most marble countertops tend to be C or CD grades.
Flaws are expected, and they are repaired in the factory.
Labor Cost
Marble countertop fabrication and installation are relatively costly since they are specialized trades.
Labor costs for marble countertop fabricators and installers are about $25 per hour.
However, labor costs vary by demand, availability, and location.
Edges
Edges cost from $10 to $40 per linear foot.
Popular edge treatments include straight edges, rustic (or tumbled), beveled, and chiseled.
Edges complete the countertop’s look.
They are so important that Cantley suggests visiting the fabricator to see how they finish the edges.
Finish
Marble countertops can be finished to amatte or glossy sheen.
A matte sheen countertop is slightly dull, and reflected light is soft and diffused.
A glossy or honed countertop has a lively mirror-like surface.
Cantley prefers honed marble in her kitchens because it closes pores to minimize acid etching from high-pH foods.
Local landfill disposal fees will likely be added to the cost, too.
DIY vs. Professional Installation
Marble slab countertops should only be professionally installed, says Cantley.
Marble counters are heavy, can break, and require expensive equipment to fabricate.
An alternative is to install marble tiles instead of marble slabs.
Marble tiles are thin and generally come in sizes up to 12-inch by 12-inch.
They can be installed likeceramic tile flooring.
While easy to install, marble tiles don’t carry the same value as marble slabs.
Their multiple seams make wiping down the countertop more difficult.
Incorporate Less Expensive Materials
Use marble for high-visibility countertop spaces like islands and cooking areas.
Supplement with less expensive premium laminate, solid surface, ortile countersin less visible areas.
Fake a Thick Countertop
Most marble counters are 3/4- to 1-1/8-inch-thick.
The fabricator joins a short piece of marble to the end, giving the illusion of a thicker slab.
The downside is that they are thin (3/8-inch) and, like othertile countertops, create multiple seams.
Yet if you’d like stone countertops, marble is one of the least expensive stones.
Premium countertop materials like quartz and sintered stone average around $100 to $110 per square foot.
Soapstone costs around $90 per square foot.
Marble countertops are less expensive of all, at an average of $70 per square foot.
Pros and Cons
Marble countertops impart high style at a low cost relative to other stone materials.
However, they are easily scratched, even during daily use.
She then mixes in marble for the island, backsplash, and even the range hood.
Quartz is about $30 per square foot more expensive than marble.
Laminate countertops look like marble but are about two-thirds cheaper than marble.
Cultured marble looks roughly like real marble but is cheaper.
Cultured marble is mostly resins but contains stone dust and is typically used to makebathroom vanity tops.
Marble countertops scratch easily relative to other stone countertops like granite.
Because it’s so easy to scratch marble with normal kitchen use, use cutting boards and other protection.
Never use abrasive cleaning products when cleaning marble countertops.
How Much Are Marble Countertops?HomeAdvisor.
A Homeowners Guide to Natural Stone Countertop Installation.
Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023; 47-2044 Tile and Stone Setters.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Buyer’s Guide: Laminate Countertops.
