Quartz, Marble or Granite Kitchen Countertops Pros and Cons
The Pros & Cons Of Granite, Marble, and Quartz Kitchen Countertops
Whether you're installing new countertops, or remodeling your old kitchen and replacing them, the top three choices among homeowners and designers are Granite, Quartz and Marble, in that order. All three add elegance, and value to your home, all three offer pros and cons for homeowners. Choosing the right material really depends on your personal and aesthetic needs, and also on your budget.
Each has a storied history and a reason why they rank so high among homeowners. Granite is durable and comes in a wide variety of species. Marble brings an air of luxury and elegance to any kitchen, and Quartz is an engineered product that is non-porous, durable, and also available in a wide range of colors, patterns, and textures.
In this post, we're going to look at the pros and cons of each material to give you a better understanding of each one, so when the time comes, you can make an educated decision.
Granite Kitchen Countertops: Characteristics, Pros, and Cons
Granite is a natural igneous rock made up predominately of quartz, along with minerals like feldspar, mica, and plagioclase. Granite is formed from magma deep in the earth. This makes it extremely hard and durable. Granite is available in a wide range of colors and patterns depending on the minerals. It can even mimic the veining and clouds of imported marble.
Granite countertops are beautiful and tough. Between the wide range of species, colors, and finishes available, you have an almost limitless array of options. Granite is extremely durable and can stand up to everyday wear and tear. It's not only durable, but it's also scratch, stain, and heat resistant.
In fact, there are really only two cons to granite. First, because it is a natural stone and is porous, it requires yearly sealing with a commercial grade granite sealer to keep it from absorbing moisture, or staining. The second con is that in terms of price there is a wide range, depending on the species.
Granite has been the number one choice of both designers and homeowners for years. It's followed closely by...
Quartz Kitchen Countertops: Characteristics, Pros, and Cons
Natural Quartz is a mineral, unlike granite and marble, which are rocks. Minerals are crystalline objects that are made of a single element throughout. In the case of quartz, it is made of silicon dioxide, the most abundant mineral in the earth's crust.
However, when we are talking about quartz countertops, they are a man-made engineered product. Natural quartz crystal is the main ingredient in engineered quartz countertops. The stone is powdered and then mixed with resin at a ratio of about 90% quartz and 10% resin and formed into slabs. The actual ratios will vary slightly, based on the manufacturer.
View Our Portfolio Of Kitchen Countertops
That being said, quartz is impervious to water as it is non-porous, unlike natural stone. Even though they are engineered, quartz countertops are stunningly beautiful, available in a wide range of colors, styles, and finishes, including patterns that mimic natural marble, and is the most durable countertop material available, being slightly tougher than granite.
In recent years quartz has become more popular, even beating out long-time homeowner favorite granite in a few recent years. The only real drawback to quartz is that, unlike granite, it can not withstand high heat levels. Because it contains resin, a hot pot or pan placed on the surface can melt the resin, or cause a permanent burn mark on the surface. In fact, heat resistance is the only area in which quartz does not meet or exceed other countertop options!
Marble Kitchen Countertops: Characteristics, Pros, and Cons
Marble is a metamorphic rock which means it was formed from another rock (in this case limestone) over millions of years under intense pressure. Marble can range in color from pure white to black, red, green, gold, and more. It is typically named after the place where it is found, for example, Carrara in Italy. Because of it's “coolness” marble is the perfect surface for making dough and baking.
Marble is a timeless classic when it comes to building materials. It's been used to build everything from buildings to statuary, to kitchen and bathroom countertops. While there is any number of beautiful countertop materials, few are as luxurious and aesthetically beautiful as marble.
Much of marble's appeal is visual. With numerous colors and styles available, many of which feature elegant veining, it's hard to beat the timeless appeal of marble countertops.
Marble is relatively durable, but the biggest drawback is that it is extremely porous and prone to etching and staining when exposed to acidic liquids like wine, vinegar, or tomato juice. As a result, marble requires a bit more ongoing maintenance than granite. Marble requires re-sealing several times per year to keep it safe and stain free.
Which Is Right For You?
There's a reason that these materials are the top three choices for homeowners. All are beautiful, durable, and affordable. Your final choice depends on your unique needs. Nothing beats the beauty of natural stone kitchen countertops.
If you're looking for a durable, tough material that requires minimal maintenance, is heat resistant, and can handle heavy daily use, granite is a great choice. If you're looking for a classic aesthetic and don't mind performing a little more maintenance, or you love to bake, marble is the right choice for you. However, if you're seeking a non-porous, durable, low-maintenance material give quartz a look.
No matter which you choose, you'll be adding value and functionality to your home. Natural stone can literally last a lifetime and for many homebuyers, it's a must-have!
If you'd like to learn more or are planning a kitchen remodeling and you live in the greater Boston MetroWest/ Worcester area, give the experts at Stonelink Marble & Granite a call at (508) 393-0720. Let us show you the many exciting advantages of choosing granite, marble, or quartz countertops in the kitchen!