Picking the right material for your countertops can be one of the hardest choices to make during your renovation process. It will dramatically change your countertops’ look, atmosphere, and user experience. Among all the options, marble and granite are the most popular choices due to their timeless beauty and durability.
The Great Countertop Debate: Marble vs. Granite
Both granite and marble are natural stones that shine as excellent choices for countertops. Although they possess some common qualities, they also have significant differences that will make one or the other the better choice for you and the needs of your house.
For example, they’re both natural stones. This means that marble and granite countertops have porous compositions. Granite and marble slabs must be sealed before use to ensure stains, bacterial growth, or mold don’t happen.
They are sealed using resins and binders that form a protective layer on top to prevent outside factors, such as dirt or food spills, from penetrating the stone. On top of giving the countertops stain resistance, this sealant also makes them shine brightly.
In the world of home improvement, where the question of granite vs. marble is popular, their differences are usually highlighted. Although both marble and granite are gorgeous stones with long-lasting durability, functionality, and versatility, they excel in different areas. As a countertop material, marble tends to be a favorite due to its association with a luxurious interior. Its chic appearance and timeless elegance complement its upscale aura. On the other hand, granite is known as one of the most durable countertop materials. It is an incredibly hard stone that will shoulder the wear and tear of daily life without a problem.
Marble Countertops: Timeless Elegance and Natural Beauty
Marble is known as the stone of the kings and artists. It symbolizes wealth, elegance, and a subtle luxury. Similar to other natural stones, it is predominantly available in light shades such as white, beige, and cream. However, you can also find marble slabs with bright colors through them.
White marble is one of the most popular choices due to its classic appearance and ability to fit every decoration style. You can employ gorgeous white marble countertops regardless of whether you have a traditional, contemporary, coastal, or mid-century house.
Granite Countertops: Durability and Unique Aesthetics
Granite is known to be one of the hardest stones for kitchen countertops. As a natural stone countertop, granite also needs to be sealed before use. This enhances its durability even more, making it an excellent option for those looking for a long-lasting countertop material. Similar to marble, white is also one of the most popular color options in granite. White granite comes in many shapes of white alongside a wide variety of pattern options.
Pros and Cons of Marble Countertops: Is It Right for Your Kitchen?
Marble is an amazing choice for homeowners who are looking to elevate their house with the natural beauty and graceful appearance of marble countertops. One of the most unique advantages of marble is that it can keep its cool temperature regardless of the temperature. Your marble countertops will be cool to the touch, even in hot climates. This is an exceptional quality for bakers as marble countertops help keep ingredients such as butter and chocolate firm.
Artists have used marble for centuries due to its unique, slightly transparent quality. This allows it to appear more bright and almost as if there is light coming out of it. Its signature veins running through the smooth base exude a timeless charm that transcends trends.
However, as with all things, marble also has some downsides. One of the biggest downsides that would affect your life is that marble is a stone that is harder to care for than its counterparts. The surface will get etched if marble comes into contact with acidic liquids or acidic foods. Therefore, you should ensure that ingredients such as vinegar, lemon or lime juice, and tomato sauce don’t touch the marble countertops.
Pros and Cons of Granite Countertops: Making an Informed Choice
Granite is a very low-maintenance stone. It needs a light, regular cleaning routine as long as it is appropriately sealed. You can mix some dish soap and water to wipe your countertops daily with a soft cloth, and your granite countertops will look brand new.
Granite is also very heat resistant. However, the same can’t be said for the sealant on top. Therefore, trivets should be used before placing hot pots and pans on the countertops to protect the sealant layer.
Although granite can be customized to your preferences to some extent, it is not as customizable as other alternatives. If you decide to go with granite, you might discover that some design features, such as edge profiles, are more limited. Moreover, while it is a very durable material, that doesn’t mean that it is indestructible. Granite is still susceptible to cracks if a sudden and disproportionate amount of pressure is applied.
Comparing Marble and Granite: Which Fits Your Lifestyle?
The question about materials for your countertops is a hard one. The answer depends on many things: your priorities, how busy your kitchen is, what square feet of countertops you need if you have kids or pets, and so on. The answer depends solely on you and your lifestyle. Therefore, there is no definitive answer as to which one is the better choice; the right thing to ask is which one fits your lifestyle.
As Ilkem Marble, we are here to make that decision a little bit easier for you. You can always contact our expert team for any questions about our products and services. Furthermore, they would also be happy to give you more personalized answers.
