Marble or Quartz. It’s one of those age-old debates that has divided homeowner’s the world over. But how do you decide between the two and which one is right for your project? The first thing you need to do is take careful stock of your project. Narrow down on what kind of design you want, how you use your space, and what kind of budget you have available. Once you’ve figured this out, you can begin deciding on the right kitchen counter stone for your project.
Picking the right kitchen counter stone requires understanding the different properties of marble and quartz. Once you understand these properties you can make the decision that works best for you and how you use your space. Here are some of the key things to consider:
Material
While both Marble & quartz have a luxurious look, they are significantly different materials. Marble countertops are a natural stone that Is porous, meaning it is easily affected by standing water, oils, and other foods and liquids. Additionally, marble is also susceptible to patina and other discolorations over time. Quartz, as stated by Marble.com, is a man-made material created from ground down stone and polymer resin. It is designed specifically to be non-porous and comes in a variety of styles to match any design.
Cost
Both marble and quartz are considered one of the more expensive alternatives when it comes to kitchen countertop materials. Price can vary greatly depending on the exact type of granite or quartz you order. The average cost of granite countertops is between $2,000 and $4,000, while the average cost of quartz countertops is between $1,500 and $5,500. With both types of countertop, you will need to pay for professional installation. This is especially true with quartz given that it is much heavier than other countertop materials and a professional must ensure that the space is structurally sound.
Durability
There are several different aspects of durability to keep in mind when deciding between marble and quartz countertops such as stain resistance, scratch resistance, and heat resistance. When it comes to stain resistance, quartz is the clear winner given its nonporous nature. Marble countertops can easily be stained when anything acidic is left standing on them and all spills must be wiped immediately. Even wine, if not cleaned immediately, it can stain a marble countertop. Again, quartz countertops are the clear winner when it comes to scratch resistance. The soft nature of marble makes it prone to scratching, etching, and stunning, whereas quartz is known for its durability and scratch resistance.
When it comes to heat resistance, marble countertops perform better than quartz countertops. Putting a large pan on a quartz countertop can actually scorch the resin, so you want to make sure that you always use a hot pad or a trivet with a quartz countertop. With a marble countertop, you can usually put a hot pan on it with little effect, you just want to be careful that you don’t scorch the stone with lighter colored marbles.
It should be noted that neither of these materials are suited for an outdoor kitchen. Direct sunlight can cause quartz countertops to yellow and fade, while marble countertops are prone to etching due to rain and standing water. If you are looking for an outdoor kitchen, look towards other countertop materials such as granite, tile, or concrete.
Look
The marble used to create marble countertops comes from quarries throughout the world, each with a distinct look, veining, and composition of trace elements. Some homeowners are looking for lots of character with unique veining in different colors, while others are looking for minimal veining and a cleaner look. Choosing a marble countertop must be done by seeing an entire slab as opposed to a small sample to get a true sense of the character of the stone, it’s veining patterns, etc. It is important to remember that marble is a natural material and is intended to look lived in, as though it has been around forever.
This is not the case with quartz countertops, although it could be if that is the specific style that you choose. This is because courts can come in many different colors and can even be made to look like natural stones such as marble and granite. If you are looking for a natural-looking countertop made of quartz, you may want to see the entire slab, or if you want a more uniform pattern then you may be able to select the quartz countertops from a smaller sample. One important thing to keep in mind when selecting either a marble countertop or quartz countertop with veining is that seams will be visible as it is difficult (if not impossible) to match up veining and make the counter seamless. However, with a more uniform quartz pattern seams will be nearly invisible creating that seamless look.
Maintenance
Maintenance is an often overlooked aspect when it comes to choosing the right countertop material. Marble countertops are significantly more work than quartz countertops due to their porous nature. Since it is a natural stone it absorbs water, oil, and other liquids left standing. This porous nature also makes marble countertops susceptible to bacteria growth. To prevent this, marble must be sealed regularly using Mr Stone best sealers. Quartz countertops, on the other hand, are man-made to be nonporous which significantly reduces their maintenance. They do not need sealing and are less likely to have bacterial growth than other countertop tutorials. If your lifestyle is not suited for doing regular maintenance on your countertops, quartz may be a better option.
Resale Value
Regardless of whether you choose to go with marble or quartz countertops, both will add value to your home. While these countertops can be a costly initial investment, you can often recoup your cost when selling your home as homeowners are prepared to pay more for kitchens with quartz or marble countertops. In fact, watch any home design show and you are guaranteed to see a prospective homebuyer vying for a home with one of these countertops as opposed to laminate, tile, or other countertops.
Pick What Works for You
Carefully consider each of these factors when deciding between a marble countertop and a quartz countertop. You’ll be living with your decision for the next 10+ years so you need to pick something that you truly like and enjoy having in your home. Ultimately, you need to pick the material that works best for your lifestyle and how you intend to use the space. With the advancements in technology, quartz can easily be made to look like marble (albeit with less depth in veining) giving you the best of both worlds. So think and consider carefully what will work best for you and your family.
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