Sealing vs film, what actually protects marble in Melbourne

Every Melbourne stone mason will tell you to seal a new marble benchtop, and that is right: a penetrating sealer slows how fast wine, oil and coffee soak in, buying you time to wipe a spill. What a sealer cannot do is stop etching. Etching is a chemical reaction: lemon, vinegar, wine and many cleaners react with the calcium in marble and leave a dull mark in seconds, sealed or not. Scratches and heat marks are the same story. That is the gap DURAFLEX closes. For the full comparison, read our stone sealer guide and our marble protection film page.

Why Melbourne homes choose DURAFLEX

• Heat-activated self-healing (SGS tested), so light surface scratches lift out with warmth.
• CSIRO fire-tested to AS/NZS 1530.3, and high-temperature tested to 80°C continuous.
• Made from food-safe materials, so it belongs on a kitchen benchtop.
• Backed by an up-to-10-year warranty, fitted by automotive-trained Melbourne installers.
• Optically clear, about 95% clarity, so your marble looks unchanged.

Rated rated 5.0 stars. Don't worry, it's DURAFLEX.

Marble protection across Melbourne

DURAFLEX protects marble, engineered stone and natural stone benchtops in homes across Melbourne, including Toorak, Brighton, Hawthorn, Malvern, South Yarra, Kew, Camberwell, Armadale, Prahran, St Kilda, Richmond, Albert Park, Sandringham and Bentleigh. Tell us your suburb in the estimate below.

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Frequently asked questions

Does marble need to be sealed?

Yes. Every marble benchtop should be sealed, because a penetrating sealer slows how fast liquids soak in and helps against staining. Just know its limit: sealing does not stop etching, the dull marks acids leave on the surface. Complete protection is a sealer to prepare the stone, then DURAFLEX film over it to stop the etching, scratching and heat a sealer cannot.

Can you permanently seal marble?

No. No sealer makes marble permanently sealed or etch-proof. Penetrating sealers wear down and need reapplying, and even a fresh sealer cannot stop acid etching or scratching. For lasting protection, a physical surface film like DURAFLEX sits over the stone and takes the daily wear instead of the marble, backed by an up-to-10-year warranty.

How much does it cost to seal marble?

Sealing costs vary by benchtop size and the product used, and it is a recurring cost because sealer needs reapplying. DURAFLEX film is a one-time protection priced per job from your measurements and edge profile. Take the 20-second estimate above and the Melbourne team texts back an itemised figure, usually the same day.

How long does marble sealer last?

On a working kitchen benchtop, a marble sealer commonly lasts around 6 to 12 months before it needs reapplying, sooner if harsh cleaners are used. DURAFLEX Surface Protection Film lasts far longer: it is an engineered film backed by an up-to-10-year warranty, so you are not resealing every year.