The Marble Countertop Look-Alike The Stars Of Married To Real Estate Recommend When On A Budget

There's no denying that marble countertops make a home look expensive — but that's because they are expensive. Luckily for anyone who can't splurge on the real deal, "Married to Real Estate" star Egypt Sherrod has a cost-effective workaround: Porcelain. 

As Sherrod shared in an episode of "Married to Real Estate," porcelain looks remarkably similar to marble. But likeness aside, porcelain comes at a much lower price point. Sherrod didn't go into the exact numbers on the episode, but the starting price of porcelain is typically around $50 to $70 per square foot. Granted, that number can increase substantially, depending on factors like the edging you prefer. As for marble countertops, they'll cost between $40 and $200 per square foot. For both materials, you will also need to consider the cost of installation.

There's no denying that porcelain will usually be the cheaper option out of the two. However, don't get caught up in worrying whether a lower price means lower quality. Porcelain may look like marble, but they do have some major differences. And, as Sherrod pointed out in "Married to Real Estate," some of those differences show porcelain as the better choice from the get-go. 

Though marble is considered a great option in terms of durability, it can get stained fast. Thanks to its porosity, things like wine and oils can turn that gorgeous white countertop into a discolored mess — not exactly what you want to deal with if you've forked out a ton of cash. However, as Egypt Sherrod explained in "Married to Real Estate," porcelain is the opposite. "It's non-porous. You can pour wine on purpose, and it won't saturate like it would with marble," the HGTV star explained.

She wasn't exaggerating, there. As seen in side-by-side YouTube shorts by Best Buy Floors by Miguel, a marble slab topped with various condiments and a marker stain fared far worse than a porcelain slab with the same mess. While the marker was wiped off almost completely from the porcelain with a spritz of Windex, it didn't budge from the marble. 

It's not hard to see why Sherrod was eager to recommend porcelain as a more user-friendly option on top of being a more budget-friendly alternative. After all, if installing marble countertops is pricey, who wants to agonize over keeping them stain-free? That's not to say there aren't some things to factor into your decision to go the porcelain route, though. 

As stated, porcelain countertops generally cost between $50 and $70 per square foot. However, that's when you're opting for a standard slab with flat, square edges — which can be great if you're into a super modern aesthetic like Egypt Sherrod's clients were. If, on the other hand, you prefer a beveled edge, expect to pay a higher rate — that can cost up to $12 extra per square foot. The reason is that, unlike marble, porcelain is man-made. That means any grain or color you see in the porcelain is only on the surface. Consequently, any customization to the sheet you're using will require extra work — and an additional cost. 

That can also become a problem if you run into any chips. As soon as that top layer is tarnished, you'll see the exposed porcelain. Small chips can be fixed with some epoxy, but for a highly visible spot in your home, you may prefer to have it fixed professionally — again, at a cost. Granted, porcelain is known for being fairly hardy, so the chances of a chip are relatively slim in the first place. 

Before proceeding with any installation, be sure to contact local suppliers and contractors to confirm costs. However, if you want to spruce up your countertops on a budget, porcelain is a great option to consider.