While renovating a kitchen/bathroom, deciding what material to choose for the countertop takes up the majority of the time. With deciding factors like the design, budget and environment on the line, it gets even more difficult to make a choice.
As the kitchen and bathrooms are two of the most costly places for renovation, one has to be careful while choosing everything that goes into renovating it. Popular choices for countertops are marble and quartz. Check out the Caesarstone blog to learn about some amazing quartz kitchen design ideas.
Here are three things that homeowners should keep in mind when one is stuck between marble countertops vs quartz countertops:
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Points to keep in mind:
Be sure to keep the following points in mind while comparing marble, quartz and other countertop materials:
Material quality:
Marble and quartz are made from different materials. On the one hand, marble is a natural stone. On the other hand, quartz is an engineered stone. In addition, both have different origins, which also creates a difference in their functionality.
Cost:
In terms of its cost, in marble countertops vs quartz, the latter is cheaper than marble. A quartz slab can range from around $40-$100 per square foot. At the same time, the price of marble can be around $50-$150 per square foot.
Appearance:
Well, appearance-wise, both give each other tough competition. Quartz gives a uniform and consistent look. But, at the same time, marble is a classic beauty that is hard to replace. So, in this case, it is upto the homeowner what type of kitchen/bathroom countertop they want.
What are marble countertops?
Marble is a type of metamorphic rock popular for its beauty. It is a bit higher in price compared to other countertop materials; still, it is one of the top choices of homeowners for kitchen/bathroom countertops. Most people choose marble just because of its amazing appearance. Just like other stones, marble has some similar properties, but one thing that makes it unique is its colour quality. The dramatic contrast that one can find in marble is hard to get in any other stone.
Here are some of the advantages of opting for marble countertop in a home:
Pros of marble
Let’s see why one should choose marble for their countertops:
Appearance
In terms of appearance, marble beats out all its competitors. The royal and rich look on them is hard to imitate by any other stone. One thing that usually attracts people to marble is the veining.
Adds value
By adding a countertop, a homeowner is increasing the value of their homes. But many different and have different viewpoints on whether Marble truly increases the value of the house or not. No matter what the truth is, one thing is for sure the presence of marble countertops is enough to attract people.
Lifespan
The lifespan of a marble countertop depends upon how one takes care of it. Regular upkeep and periodic sealing can help increase the countertop’s longevity.
Cons of marble
With all the advantages, there are a few disadvantages of marble that no one can overlook. So let’s talk about some of the not-so-good things about marble:
Porous
Marble is porous. This means that water or liquid could penetrate it easily. Thus, making it a breeding ground for bacteria. If homeowners want to avoid such issues, they should never avoid sealing their countertops. If not quarterly, then at least annually, the countertop should be sealed.
Can be damaged
If homeowners are using some acid to clean it, make sure not to keep it for too long. Acids kept for a prolonged period on the countertop can make the sealant fade away and make the polish on the top of the countertop etch away.
What is quartz?
Quartz is an engineered stone made using 90-93% quartz and rests resin, polymer, and pigment. Due to this, the surface of the quartz becomes hard, just like granite. Its versatility makes it one of the top choices of homeowners for bathroom and kitchen countertops.
There are plenty of advantages to this stone. Let’s see what they are:
Pros of quartz:
If one takes a look at quartz vs marble vs granite countertops, quartz has the upper hand over all others. Let’s see why by taking into account its pros.
Requires less maintenance
Quartz does not require any sealing. Therefore, one does not have to worry much about maintaining its upkeep. Removing stains requires only soapy water and a clean scrub to wipe off the soapy mix. However, do make sure to keep rough pads or scrub at a distance. Using hard and rough items to clean the countertop’s surface can make its surface dull.
Anti-bacterial
The resin binders present in quartz stone make it not porous. Due to this, no water or liquid can penetrate it. Thus, ensuring that bacteria do not grow under or above its surface.
Easy to shape:
The resins on quartz are quite flexible, allowing the fabricators to shape it in whatever way they want easily. In addition, this material is so versatile that one can also use it for their floors and roofs.
Cons of quartz:
Here are some of the cons of quartz which homeowners might not want to overlook:
Limited heat and scratch Resistance
Quartz countertops are said to be heat and scratch-resistant, but it’s only upto a limit. Manufacturers claim that quartz can handle upto 400 degrees Fahrenheit of heat. But sometimes, a small pan left unattended can cause cracks on the quartz slab.
Weathering outdoors
Some homeowners prefer installing quartz countertops for outdoor use, but unless they purchase the right type of material, it can have a grave impact on the surface of the quartz. In addition, with time, the countertop will start to fade away and may even start chipping. Homeowners that want exterior quartz countertops need to purchase quartz made specifically for outdoor use.
Conclusion
Looking at all the advantages and drawbacks of both marble countertops vs quartz, one can easily say that both are reliable materials for countertops until a certain level. After that, if proper care is not given to the countertop, there are chances that they will start to ruin more quickly than the expected time.
But if one looks closely between quartz vs granite vs marble countertops, the advantages of quartz are quite prominent.
The non-porous nature, heat and scratch resistance quality put it on the top compared to all other materials.