The Marble Revolution: How Anti-Etch and Raku by Lantania Are Changing Everything
In our marble countertops guide, we told you the truth: marble is magnificent, and it makes demands. Etching from acids. Staining if left unsealed. A maintenance rhythm that not every household wants to adopt. We said that honest conversation is the foundation of every good marble decision.
We also told you that the conversation was changing.
This is that conversation.
Accent Marble is the only fabricator in Alberta certified to apply two technologies — Anti-Etch UV protection and Raku by Lantania — that address marble's vulnerabilities at a level standard sealers simply cannot reach. In this article, we explain exactly how each one works, what it protects against, how long it lasts, and most importantly, how we decide which one is right for a given client and project.
If marble has been on your wishlist and maintenance has been the reason you've hesitated, read this carefully.
First: Why Standard Sealers Aren't Enough
Before we explain what these technologies do, it's worth understanding precisely what they solve — because the limitation of conventional marble sealers is widely misunderstood.
A penetrating sealer works by filling the pores of the stone with a water and oil-repelling compound. It's effective at what it does: reducing staining from liquids that would otherwise absorb into the marble's surface. A well-sealed marble countertop is meaningfully more resistant to olive oil, red wine, and coffee than an unsealed one.
But sealing does almost nothing for etching.
Etching is not a staining problem — it is a chemical reaction. When an acid contacts marble, it reacts with the calcium carbonate in the stone and dissolves a microscopic layer of the polished surface, leaving a dull, hazy mark that differs in sheen from the surrounding stone. A sealer sits in the pores. The polished surface — the part that reacts to acid — sits above the sealer entirely.
This is why clients with beautifully sealed marble countertops still end up with etch marks from a lemon wedge or a splash of vinegar. The sealer did its job. It just wasn't designed to do this job.
Anti-Etch and Raku by Lantania are designed for exactly this — and more. They are not sealers. They are a different category of protection entirely.
A sealer protects what's inside the stone. Anti-Etch and Raku protect the surface itself — which is precisely where the damage happens.
Anti-Etch UV Protection (Exclusive to Alberta — Accent Marble)
Anti-Etch is an ultra-thin protective layer applied directly to the polished surface of marble and cured on-site using a UV light. Once the UV curing process is complete, the layer bonds to the marble surface and creates an invisible barrier between the stone and the acids, abrasives, and liquids of everyday use.
The result is a marble surface that resists the etching that standard sealers cannot address — without altering the visual character of the stone. On most finishes the treatment is completely invisible; on some finishes there may be a very subtle enhancement to the surface sheen.
Key points
Curing method: UV light
Warranty: 10 years
Expected lifespan: Lifetime (with proper care)
Appearance change: Minimal
How the UV Curing Process Works
The application is performed in-shop or on-site by a certified applicator — a designation Accent Marble holds exclusively in Alberta. The treatment is applied to the prepared marble surface and then exposed to a UV light source, which triggers a photochemical curing reaction that hardens and bonds the protective layer. The process is precise, requires trained technique, and cannot be replicated with consumer-grade products.
Once cured, the protection is not a coating that sits loosely on top of the stone. It is a bonded surface layer — which is why the protection is rated for lifetime duration with proper care, backed by a 10-year warranty.
What Anti-Etch Protects Against
Etching from acids — lemon juice, vinegar, wine, coffee, tomato, cleaning products
Surface scratching from everyday kitchen and bathroom use
Staining from liquids and oils
General surface wear over time
What “Properly Maintained” Means
Proper maintenance means cleaning with pH-neutral products — not acidic or abrasive cleaners — and avoiding impact damage that could physically compromise the cured layer. The 10-year warranty provides documented coverage for the period during which the protection is unconditionally guaranteed. Beyond that, with appropriate care, the protection is designed to last the life of the installation.
Raku by Lantania (Exclusive to Alberta — Accent Marble)
Raku by Lantania is a professional-grade hard topical coating developed in Europe for natural stone surfaces. Where Anti-Etch uses UV curing to bond a protective layer to the marble, Raku works as a hard surface coating that forms a durable physical barrier over the stone. Its European heritage means it was engineered for performance in demanding environments — including outdoor applications that Anti-Etch is not rated for.
Raku is also faster to apply than Anti-Etch, which has practical advantages in certain project contexts. Like Anti-Etch, it is invisible in everyday use — though as with all protective treatments, a subtle difference in surface character may be perceptible on some finishes.
Key points
Type: Hard topical coat
UV stability: Excellent
Heat tolerance: High
Outdoor use: Yes
Where Raku Has the Advantage
Raku's key performance advantages over Anti-Etch are UV stability and heat tolerance. Because it is a hard topical coating rather than a UV-cured bonded layer, it performs better under prolonged UV exposure — making it the appropriate choice for marble surfaces that receive direct or indirect sunlight, and the only option we offer for outdoor marble applications.
Its higher heat tolerance also makes it a stronger candidate for surfaces near cooking areas where thermal exposure is more frequent and intense — certain kitchen countertop configurations, surfaces near cooktops, or fireplace surrounds where radiant heat is a factor.
The faster application time is also meaningful in commercial contexts or projects with tight installation timelines.
What Raku Protects Against
Etching from acids and chemical exposure
Staining from liquids, oils, and everyday use
Scratching and surface abrasion
UV degradation and prolonged sun exposure
Higher heat exposure than Anti-Etch can handle
Outdoor weathering — rain, freeze-thaw, UV
Raku opens marble to applications it has never realistically been considered for before — outdoor kitchens in Edmonton, covered patios, fireplace surrounds with real heat. That's a meaningful expansion of what natural stone can do.
Anti-Etch vs. Raku — How We Choose (copy/paste version)
Protection mechanism: Anti-Etch = UV-cured bonded layer | Raku = Hard topical coating
Etch resistance: Anti-Etch = Excellent | Raku = Excellent
Stain resistance: Anti-Etch = Excellent | Raku = Excellent
Scratch resistance: Anti-Etch = Excellent | Raku = Excellent
UV / sun exposure: Anti-Etch = Standard indoor use | Raku = Superior (outdoor rated)
Heat tolerance: Anti-Etch = Good | Raku = Higher
Outdoor applications: Anti-Etch = Not recommended | Raku = Yes
Application time: Anti-Etch = Standard | Raku = Faster
Warranty: Anti-Etch = 10 years | Raku = Consult Accent Marble
Appearance change: Anti-Etch = Minimal/invisible | Raku = Minimal/invisible
Retrofit to existing marble: Anti-Etch = Yes | Raku = Yes
Choosing by Lifestyle — Real Scenarios
The serious home cook — marble kitchen island, daily cooking, acidic ingredients
Recommended: Anti-Etch UV Protection
The primary threat here is acid etching from cooking — citrus, wine, vinegar, tomato. Anti-Etch’s UV-cured bonded layer provides excellent etch resistance in this environment.
The design-first household — Calacatta island in a showpiece kitchen, used moderately
Recommended: Anti-Etch UV Protection
The goal here is preserving the pristine polished appearance of a statement marble surface long-term. Anti-Etch’s bonded protection with lifetime rating and 10-year warranty gives the client confidence.
Outdoor kitchen or covered patio — marble countertop with sun exposure
Recommended: Raku by Lantania
Anti-Etch is not rated for outdoor use. Raku’s UV stability and weather resistance make it the appropriate choice for sun exposure and freeze-thaw cycling.
Fireplace surround — marble near a heat source
Recommended: Raku by Lantania
Raku’s higher heat tolerance makes it the better choice near a working fireplace.
Bathroom vanity — moderate daily use
Recommended: Either — consult Accent Marble
Bathrooms have fewer acid threats and no UV exposure, so both technologies can work. We assess each bathroom project and recommend accordingly.
Existing marble at home — etching or staining already present
Recommended: Either — restoration first, then protection
Both Anti-Etch and Raku can be applied to existing marble in good condition. If there is existing damage, we restore first, then protect.
The Alberta Exclusivity — Why It Matters
Accent Marble is currently the only certified applicator of Anti-Etch UV protection in Alberta, and the only provider of Raku by Lantania in the province. These certifications require training and ongoing commitment to strict standards. They are not available as consumer products, and they cannot be replicated by a fabricator who simply purchases a sealer off a distributor shelf.
What this means practically: if you want your marble protected at this level, there is one place in Alberta to have it done. We take that responsibility seriously — and we recommend the right option for each project rather than defaulting to one product for everyone.
Being the only provider of something in an entire province isn't a marketing point for us. It's a responsibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do these treatments make marble completely maintenance-free?
No — and we'd be doing you a disservice to claim otherwise. What they do is dramatically reduce vulnerability to etching, staining, and surface scratching. You still clean with pH-neutral products and avoid abrasive cleaners. What changes is the anxiety around everyday use is substantially reduced.
Can I treat existing marble or only new installations?
Both treatments can be applied to existing marble in good condition. If there is existing etching or staining, we assess first and can often restore before protecting.
Will either treatment change what my marble looks like?
In most cases the difference is imperceptible in everyday use. On some finishes, there may be a very subtle change in surface character. We show clients what to expect before treatment.
How much does it cost?
Both treatments are priced based on scope: surface area, marble variety, finish, and whether it’s new fabrication or retrofit. We provide detailed quotes for every project.
I’m a contractor. Can I specify Anti-Etch or Raku?
Yes. We work with contractors, designers, and dealers across Edmonton. We can provide documentation and integrate protection into the fabrication and installation timeline.
Ready to protect your marble — or finally say yes to it?
Accent Marble is Alberta's only certified applicator of Anti-Etch UV protection and Raku by Lantania. Whether you're planning a new project or have existing marble you'd like protected, come in and let's talk.
Request a consultation at accentmarble.net