@darbuka do you have a preference? I’ve always heard to go with honed but sometimes a slab at a warehouse is only available in polished. Just curious on whether anyone thinks there is a strong reason to go with one or the other.

@verbo I’m aware of etching and know it’s part of having marble counters. Just looking for personal experiences and recommendations of polished care honed

In my experience it is somewhat of an aesthetic decision.

I have honed marble counters in my master bath because I wanted a softer look - the marble is also not the typical higly veined marble either.

I have polished marble in the guest bathroom and it looks more dramatic.

Etching as an issue - in my experience is not a big deal. My friend has had marble counters in her kitchen for almost twenty years and is not particularly careful with it. She even had a portion of the slab made into a kitchen table which took a lot of abuse. There is etching but is only visible when the light hits it in a certain angle and I squint. It certainly isn't this horrendous ugly thing when one is just in the kitchen and not seeking out an etch spot. Also there has been no staining - again not pampered with plenty of red sauces and drips. She has had it sealed periodically but that isn't a big deal.

@Helen thank you for your feedback! This is for my kitchen. I think i'd prefer a more subdued look - but I' having difficulty finding a slab I like so wondered if I should just go with polished. That's good to know about your friend! It seems like all you hear are nightmare stories about how you shouldn't do marble in the kitchen. People in Europe having been using marble for their kitchens forver so it must not be bad.

You can prevent marble etching, it justs costsMore.

People in Europe having been using marble for their kitchens forver so it must not be bad.

True. But keep in mind a couple of things. In many trips I have taken to France and Italy I cannot recall seeing polished marble, only honed. I am talking about café tables, bathrooms (a hotel room bathroom in Milan was every inch marble - honed - it did not look new, but it looked great), lobbies, stairwells, etc. Furthermore, in Europe there is not the "need for pristine" that North Americans have. It's a cultural difference, so to your point "it must not be bad", but that is their feeling about it, so just make sure you feel OK about etching. As mentioned, etching will look more pronounced against a polished surface than it will against a honed surface.

Also buyer beware about the coatings for marble that I think @Joseph Corlett, LLC is referring to. It is akin to plastic slipcovers on your grandma's sofa. It protects, and you can see the protected surface through the coating, but it won't look the same. If you are going to go to those lengths to protect the marble, so that it loses its unique beauty, you may as well get a different stone and not be bothered with needing any protector for it. There are granites and quartzites that do not even need to be sealed. Have you seen Taj Mahal quartzite?

To answer your question, what do I prefer…I’m not a fan of shiny surfaces in my kitchen, which is one reason why I have soapstone counters.

I have friends with both polished and honed marble tops, and much prefer the honed. Honed marble is a less fussy, more informal look, which I find more appealing. Then, there’s the more sensuous feel of honed marble vs polished. Last, but not least, is the ability of honed marble to hide etches.

I also know a couple of people who purchased polished marble tops, and once installed, over the course of two days, applied lemon juice to the tops, so they would etch all at once…giving the tops a honed appearance.

I have honed marble in my kitchen and one bathroom, and love it; polished looks more formal to me and doesn’t feel as silky to the touch. I know it will etch eventually, and I accept that. I believe a polished marble slab can be honed; ask the fabricator.

@RoyHobbs @darbuka @chinacatpeekin - thank you for your feedback! My comment about marble being used oin Europe was not to say I think polished would be ok - I just meant that marble has been used forever. Whenever i go to places they try to warm me away from marble and I can't understand why. In our previous home which we also did a whole house renovation to, we put quartz (calacatta gold) counters in. I want a softer look and love the look of marble. I dno't want anything to look too formal. I like honed, I was just concerned because the selection at so many places is small. I will visit a few more and look for honed as I originally intended on having.

Does anyone know about the staining issue? Does it stain quickly or is it ok if you wipe things up right away?

Polishing actually seals marble so no sealer needed while with honed you need to apply the sealer and likely periodically reapply from time to time or yes it will stain quickly.

@roarah - I do not think that is true for polished marble. While polished marble will be less porous than honed, it will still be subject to stains from wine, coffee, and similar. But when in doubt, there is a simple test - drop water onto the counter and if the water absorbs after about 10 minutes, the stone needs sealant. If the water just sits on top, it does not need sealant.

18 year old polished marble never sealed and water still beads. There is lots of etches in certain angles if you look for them but zero stains. https://kjgranite.com/when-and-when-not-to-seal-marble-tile-in-a-shower/

That article is about bathroom marble. I was talking more aggressive food stains like wine and coffee. But in any case, the OP can do the water test herself - if she decides on a polished finish. I prefer a honed finish for the reasons stated in this thread.

My non-pro understanding is that sealing helps to prevent staining, but I do think you need to wipe up drips and spills quickly. Sealing doesn’t prevent etching. FWIW my fabricator recommends Stain-Proof Premium Impregating Sealer. I also have read repeatedly here on Houzz that Danby marble is a less porous variety and is more resistant to staining and etching than other types of marble. That isn’t what I have (I chose Calacatta Venato- and it still takes my breath away every time I walk into my kitchen!) so I can’t verify.