Marble and limestone are both exquisite natural materials. They are extremely popular for use in many areas of the home, adding elegance and sophistication to any interior scheme. Choosing either type of stone will make a stunning kitchen worktop for your home.
At Chandler Stoneworks, we have a huge variety of choices on offer when it comes to natural stone worktops for your kitchen, flooring or fireplaces. Take a look at our online gallery here where you will find many wonderful examples of kitchen worktops in marble and limestone.
Better still, why not arrange for a visit to our Arundel showroom and view a wonderful selection of samples for yourself?
The benefits of a marble worktop
Marble is a metamorphic rock that has been created by extreme heat and pressure. It has been used in buildings throughout history and is recognised for its beauty and hardwearing qualities. It is no surprise that marble is a byword for elegance around the world.
Here are the main qualities that a natural marble worktop will bring to your kitchen:
- Marble creates a classic look; it is elegant and timeless in the world of kitchen design. It’s the worktop of choice if you are seeking exceptional luxury and beauty in your kitchen.
- Marble comes in a vast range of colours and patterns and is usually interspersed by contrasting mineral veining. The veining is marble’s most beautiful and elegant feature.
- Bakers and pastry chefs will know that marble surfaces remain cool, as the material doesn’t conduct heat very well. For this reason, marble worktops are great for working with pastry.
- Marble is classified into four categories A, B, C and D, according to its level of hardness. Grade A is the least flawed and has less veining. Grade D contains the most natural faults (veining). While grade D has the most flaws, it is also the most decorative and highly coloured.


The benefits of a limestone worktop
Limestone is a soft sedimentary material mainly composed of calcite, from shells, coral and other debris. It is generally light in colour and has some shells and mineral deposits still evident within the material.
If you are looking for a sophisticated and distinctive worktop for your kitchen, limestone is a popular choice. More and more people are choosing limestone worktops on account on the stone’s natural and consistent appearance. Here are the main qualities of limestone kitchen worktops:
- Limestone is an extremely long-lasting natural stone, which makes it a durable choice for any kitchen. It is a hardwearing material that is comparatively easy to cut into blocks.
- It is easy to manipulate limestone into different shapes, so if you have interesting or innovative kitchen design ideas, limestone is a fantastic material to work with.
- Limestone is relatively homogenous but also varies according to its composition and levels of calcium. Dolomite limestone has magnesium in the mineral mix and is harder than plain limestone.
- Subtle shades and occasional shell fossils make limestone an interesting choice for worktops. Some limestone has a lovely lustre and shine to it. There’s no doubt, limestone worktops look great in the kitchen.
At Chandler Stoneworks, we have over 15 years of industry experience and a passion for providing the best natural stone worktops to private and commercial customers. We offer a highly personal service, a skilled team of stonemasons and a fully equipped workshop where we produce extremely high-quality kitchen worktops that have delighted our customers for many years. Call us on 01903 885941 or email sales@chandlerstoneworks.co.uk to find out more.
Recent Marble Worktop Installations
How to look after your worktop
At Chandler Stoneworks, your worktop is carefully selected from premium-quality stone slabs, chosen from the same block or batch wherever possible to achieve a consistent finish.
Each piece is then machined, prepared, polished, treated and checked by our craftsmen before installation. With the right care and maintenance, your marble or limestone worktop can continue to look its best for many years.
Is it necessary to seal natural kitchen worktops?
Marble and limestone are naturally porous materials, which means they can absorb liquids if they are left unprotected.
Sealing the stone after installation helps reduce the risk of staining and makes the surface easier to maintain. Depending on the material, finish and level of use, resealing may also be recommended over time.
Do limestone and marble worktops stain easily?
Marble and limestone can be affected by spills, particularly acidic or strongly coloured substances.
Where possible, wipe up spills straight away, especially:
- Lemon juice and other citrus liquids
- Vinegar
- Tomato juice and sauces
- Wine
- Beetroot
- Cooking oils
- Nail varnish
- Solvent-based or oil-based products
Prompt cleaning helps reduce the risk of staining or marking the surface.
How should I clean marble and limestone surfaces?
For everyday cleaning, use warm water with a pH-neutral cleaner suitable for natural stone.
Avoid bleach, harsh chemicals and abrasive cleaning products, as these can damage the surface or affect the finish, particularly on polished materials.
After cleaning, dry and buff the surface using a soft, clean cloth, microfibre cloth or kitchen roll.
Are marble and limestone worktops heat and scratch resistant?
Marble and limestone are durable natural materials, but they are not immune to heat, scratching or surface damage.
To help protect your worktop:
- Use heat-resistant boards or trivets beneath hot pots and pans
- Use a chopping board when preparing food
- Avoid cutting directly on the surface
- Take care when placing heavy or sharp objects onto the worktop
These simple precautions will help preserve the finish and appearance of the stone.
The natural beauty of stone
Natural stone is unique, which means variations in colour, pattern and texture are part of its character rather than defects.
No two pieces of marble or limestone will be exactly the same, and the finished worktop may not be an exact match to a small sample viewed before installation.
Natural features may include:
- Colour and pattern variations
- Veining
- Pits and fissures
- Small chips or gaps
- Natural surface irregularities
Some of these characteristics may be filled with specialist resin or similar materials during processing or finishing. This is a normal part of working with natural stone and helps create a durable, finished surface.






































