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Marble Counter Magic Solution

February 27, 2023 By houseofhargrove@gmail.com

I am so excited about today’s post. I get asked all the time about my marble countertops.  Are they high maintenance? Do they stain? How do you clean them? Are they worth it? etc. Today, I am sharing one of my top tricks when dealing with marble.  It is literally marble magic and takes the most beautiful countertops in the world and makes them easy to take care of!  Sharing all the details below.

I have 2 things I talk about a lot.  When to splurge/save (“look for less”) and form vs. function (meaning when style vs functionality takes precedent). For example, I love the look of a chandelier in a bedroom, but have to have a fan for comfort.  In that situation function wins.  In other areas, such as my countertops, I am obsessed with marble!  It is much higher maintenance than other types of counters, but I don’t care.  It is worth it to me.  In that situation form wins!  BUT . . .THE BEST NEWS IS I HAVE FOUND A PRODUCT THAT MAKES MARBLE EASY TO USE!  THIS IS A GAME CHANGER . . . it’s called TuffSkin!

prepping my counters for install

I first learned about TuffSkin online from a designer.  I saw it being installed it in a kitchen she was designing and had to learn more.  What was this magic product?  Did it really work?  Did it mess up the look or the marble?  I had a million questions.

Marble is expensive so I wanted to protect it, but didn’t want to loose the look I love in the process.  I had already just decided I would live with the extra care it takes to protect your marble because it was a must in our home.  There is just no good substitute!  They make products that look like “marble”, but it is just not the same!

You can see the TuffSkin machine

TuffSkin is not like other sealers.  It is a thin film that is applied to your countertops.  It comes in matte or glossy depending on if you have polished or honed marble.  We went with matte because ours is honed.  They clean your counters really well, wet them and then apply this magic film that adheres to your marble, but does not damage it.  Once it is on your marble they trim the corners and you cannot even see it.  Your marble looks the same, but now it is totally protected.  It won’t stain or etch!

Here you can see the TuffSkin film on my counters when they first apply it

Next they use a squeegee to get all the air bubbles out and to smooth Tuffskin perfectly

After the TuffSkin is in place, all the bubbles are out, etc they trim the edges for a perfect fit

When people talk about the negatives of using marble it is because:

  • it stains easily
  • etches
  • scratches
  • is not resistant to heat

Well with TuffSkin all of these issues are resolved.  

TUFFSKIN FAQS:

  • STAINS/ETCHING, ETC: Tuffskin is a laminate product that protects counters from stains, etching, scratching, chipping.
  • HEAT RESISTANT: It is heat resistant and can take up to 400 degrees F.   Curling Irons, etc do not effect Tuffskin
  • HOW LONG WILL IT LAST? Replacing TuffSkin has to do with appearance.  As long as the product is on your counters it will protect them, but most residential clients like to replace their TuffSkin 4-8 years.  Typically more towards 8+ years.
  • HOW DO YOU CLEAN IT? With standard marble you have to be very careful how you clean it.  Mostly just soap and water.  With TuffSkin you can use a stone or glass cleaner in addition to soap and water.  
  • WHAT WILL MY COUNTERS LOOK LIKE WITH TUFFSKIN? If I didn’t know it was on my counters I honestly would have no idea anything was there.  The marble looks so amazing.  You cannot see the seams on the edges at all.  When you spill something on it the water beads up vs soaking in so that is a difference I notice, but looks wise, you really cannot tell.
  • WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO HAVE IT INSTALLED? You would contact a local rep who would come look at your counters.  You may need to get them polished before application just to make sure they are in the best condition.  Your rep would be able to tell you exactly what you need.  TuffSkin makes your counters look brand new and protects them so you want to make sure they are in the best shape before TuffSkin is applied
  • HOW MUCH DOES IT COST? Your rep can give you a quote depending on size, etc.  I will say it is much more cost effective than having to have your counters refinished due to staining and etching.  It also gives such peace of mind.  I no longer feel stressed when my kids are eating, drawing, etc on our counters!

***Many more FAQ answered HERE

I honestly cannot tell you how happy I am with our TuffSkin.  It gives me such peace of mind.  I love marble, and wanted it no matter what, but it would stress me out when my kids ate on it, Geoff cut limes or poured wine on our counters, we had friends over, etc.  Now, I don’t even have to worry about it.  I still take good care of my counters and always have.  I don’t sit a boiling pot down on the counters, I use cutting boards, etc, but I love knowing that I have a layer of protection when “LIFE” happens.

My kitchen after TuffSkin is applied. The counters look beautiful and are protected.

TuffSkin is an investment into protecting your investment.  We have marble throughout our house, but we only used TuffSkin in our kitchen where it gets the most use.  I am not as worried about the other areas of our home.  If I were to add it a 2nd place it would be our primary bathroom.  That may be something we do in the future.  

I have videos of the TuffSkin process saved as a highlight on Instagram that you can reference if you want to see how the process works, etc.  I am so so happy to have found this product.  I get messages from yall all of the time about marble maintenance and if it is worth it.  My answer was always it is a personal choice, but to me it is worth it.  Now with TuffSkin, I would say 100% yes.  You can have beautiful marble in your home and use this product to make it easy to live with.  It is the best of both worlds!

 

**We worked with Jim Jones at TuffSkin TX.  He was absolutely wonderful.  Everyone on the TuffSkin team was so knowledgeable and helpful.  Wonderful customer service!**

Thank you so much to TuffSkin for partnering with me on this post and creating a product that works so well.  I am so excited to have this in my personal home! 

 

 

Comments

  1. Renee says

    February 28, 2023 at 8:24 am

    Thank you for sharing this! I have beautiful marble counters but they have taken a beating with my teens and all of their friends. I will be looking into this and having my counters polished and preserved with Tuffskin!

    • houseofhargrove@gmail.com says

      March 14, 2023 at 10:18 am

      It truly is a miracle product. You will love it!

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