Why Marble is Back in Favour

Since Australia’s national engineered stone ban took effect on 1 July 2024, builders, designers and homeowners have been rethinking what goes on benchtops, vanities and feature walls. Marble is one of the natural stones getting a second look. Its appeal isn’t only aesthetic. It comes down to what’s in the dust when stone is cut.

What is engineered stone?

Engineered stone is a manufactured slab material, not a natural stone. It’s made by combining crushed natural stone materials, mostly quartz, with resins, pigments and other additives, then compressing and curing the mix into slabs. Under Australian regulations, a product counts as engineered stone when it is made this way and contains at least 1% crystalline silica.

It goes by many names, which can make it hard to spot. SafeWork NSW lists composite stone, manufactured stone, artificial stone, reconstituted stone and quartz conglomerate, and it is often sold simply as “quartz”. Since the early 2000s it has been one of the most popular benchtop materials in Australian kitchens because it is consistent in colour, hard-wearing and less permeable than many natural stones.

Natural stone that hasn’t been combined with other materials, such as marble and granite, is not engineered stone. Neither are sintered stone and porcelain products, although they are still regulated as silica-containing materials.

Why was engineered stone banned in Australia?

Engineered stone was banned because cutting, grinding and polishing it releases respirable crystalline silica, the fine dust that causes silicosis. Silicosis is an irreversible lung disease that can keep getting worse even after exposure stops. The ban followed a sharp rise in cases among stonemasons and benchtop fabricators, many of them young workers. Safe Work Australia notes that engineered stone can contain up to 97% crystalline silica, far more than most natural stone.

From 1 July 2024, the manufacture, supply, processing and installation of engineered stone benchtops, panels and slabs was banned under workplace health and safety laws across Australia. From 1 January 2025, these products also became prohibited imports.

How much silica is in marble?

Marble contains very little crystalline silica. Safe Work Australia puts it at up to 7%, WorkSafe Victoria at less than 5%, and SafeWork NSW at around 2%. That’s because marble is made mostly of calcium carbonate rather than quartz.

Here’s how it compares with other common materials, using Safe Work Australia’s typical ranges:

Source: Safe Work Australia. Natural stone composition varies by source, so these figures are general guidance only.

For anyone choosing a natural stone with worker health in mind, marble sits at the safe end of the scale.

Is marble completely safe to cut and install?

No. Low silica is not the same as no silica. Workplace health and safety rules now apply to work with any material containing at least 1% crystalline silica, and that includes marble and granite. Most states and territories strengthened these rules from 1 September 2024, while Victoria regulates the same work under its own OHS framework. Fabricators still need controls such as wet cutting, on-tool dust extraction and respiratory protection.

The practical advantage of marble is lower risk, not zero risk. Because natural stone varies from quarry to quarry, anyone specifying or working with stone should check the supplier’s safety data sheet to confirm the product’s actual silica content.

What are the trade-offs of choosing marble?

Marble’s chemistry is both its safety advantage and its maintenance challenge. Calcium carbonate reacts with acids, so lemon juice, wine, vinegar, soft drinks and some cleaning products can leave dull etch marks on the surface. Marble is also permeable and porous, so oils, coffee and red wine can soak in and stain if they’re left too long.

Outdoors, acidic rain and bird droppings can have a similar effect over time. That’s why the choice of marble is often decided for bathroom vanities, splashbacks, feature walls and lower-traffic areas, or recommended for clients who are happy for the stone to develop a lived-in patina.

How does one protect marble from stains and water damage?

A penetrating sealer is the first line of defence. Unlike topical coatings, which form a film over the surface, a penetrating sealer soaks into the stone and lines its capillaries without blocking them. The stone stays breathable, with little or no change to its appearance.

Tech-Dry’s Protectaseal S is a solvent-based oil and water repellent sealer recommended for hard, dense finishes including natural stone and polished surfaces. In Tech-Dry’s testing, it penetrated 6 mm into white polished marble and 8 mm into grey polished marble. On polished stone, the surface can be buffed with a light-coloured dry cloth after application to reveal the original finish. Some substrates may darken slightly after treatment, which is a reason to undertake a test to ascertain suitability.

What’s next for sealing marble benchtops?

Tech-Dry has developed Protectaseal M, a new penetrating sealer for marble, natural stone benchtops and similar surfaces. Like Protectaseal S, it penetrates into the stone’s capillary structure and forms an invisible protective lining rather than a film on the surface. The result is a user-friendly sealer that is non-flammable, non-toxic and virtually odourless. It delivers deep penetration, exceptional stain resistance and durable long-term protection.

It’s important to be clear about what a sealer can and can’t do. No penetrating sealer prevents acid etching, because it doesn’t stop an acidic liquid from reaching the surface. Sealing buys you time to wipe up spills before they stain, and makes day-to-day cleaning easier. Good habits still matter. Once the surface is treated and in use:

• Wipe up spills promptly, especially acidic ones.
• Clean with household detergent and water, and avoid acid or alkaline cleaners.

What does this mean for builders and specifiers?

The shift away from engineered stone is a chance to specify surfaces with the full picture in view. That means considering silica content and fabrication controls, matching the stone to how the space will actually be used, and building a sealing and maintenance plan into the handover. Marble rewards that planning with a surface that’s beautiful, lower-risk to fabricate, and durable when properly cared for.

Talk to the Tech-Dry team

Planning a marble installation, or looking after existing natural stone? The Tech-Dry team can help you choose the right penetrating sealer for your surface and application. Explore the Tech-Dry penetrating sealer range or call our Melbourne office on (03) 9699 8202.