Marble is a metamorphic rock composed of recrystallised carbonate minerals, most commonly calcite or dolomite, and has been used for thousands of years as a strong and hardwearing material, for building statues, temples and for other decoration purposes.

Marble worktops are still a classic choice for work surfaces, as they are bright and smooth, as well as cool to the touch, as a poor conductor of heat. However, due to its porosity, marble can be more prone to staining, so will need more care and attention after spills, and like other solid surfaces, can be damaged with small knocks and scratches. Even so, the popularity of marble for tops remains, as a classic, tough and characterful work surface that will last for many years.

Alternative surfaces, that may be less prone to staining include manmade materials such as quartz, where binders are added to crushed granite, marble or stone etc in its manufacturing process, to create a more consistently finished surface that is more resilient to staining. Additionally, the high performance material, Dekton by Cosentino, is also resilient to staining, as well as heat, fire, abrasion and scratching, making its durable use as work surfaces extremely popular.