Marble vs. Granite Countertops For Your Kitchen

When it comes to home decor, no one wants to compromise with quality and price.

The same is true for kitchen countertops. You can design your own countertop based on the shape, size, and material of your choice.

The most commonly used materials include marble and granite, both of which happen to make your kitchen look flawless.

However, if you’d have to make a call between the two, which should it be?

We’ve enlisted the pros and cons of each of these so that you can make a more informed decision.

Marble vs. Granite Countertops- Which is better?

1. Appearance

Granite- Commercial granite majorly comprises silica, feldspar, mica, and quartz.

Stones labeled as granite generally have a granular appearance, veins, and flecks of color visible at their surface.

Granite is available in a wide range of colors, which makes it a great material for countertops.

Marble- Commercial marble, on the other hand, is primarily made of calcite.

Some marbles are quartz-based stones, while green marbles are made of serpentine.

Marbles also have veins like granite, however, their texture is way smoother than granite.

Like granite, marble is also available in a wide range of colors.

2. Installation

There’s not much difference when it comes to installation of marble and granite counters.

Both of these are fabricated and installed in the same way. First, a template is made of your counter, then it is transferred to the slab you want for your kitchen.

The slab is then cut to match your template, further given a proper finishing.

This slab is then transported to your home and positioned atop your cabinets with a silicone adhesive.

Thinner marble slabs may require to have a plywood substrate installed on the cabinets first to strengthen them.

However, most other slabs can be installed directly on your cabinets.

Because marble slabs are usually smaller than granite slabs, thus you would require more pieces to complete your entire kitchen.

3. Durability

You definitely want to have a durable kitchen counter, that you don’t need to worry about for years on end.

The durability of the stone you choose depends upon its makeup. Most marbles are made of calcite, which is soft and porous. Thus, marble countertops are more likely to absorb stains and lose its finish over time.

You can, however, increase the longevity of your marble counter by adding a matte finish to it.

Green marble, which is made of serpentine, does not stain easily. However, it can flake with prolonged contact with water.

The most durable marbles include Thassos and Azul Celeste, which are even considered more harder than some granites.

Granite can range in terms of durability. Absolute Black, for instance, which is true and igneous form of granite, is nonporous in nature.

The best part is that it does not require any sealing, nor is easily prone to scratches. Moreover, most dark-colored granites are impervious to staining and etching.

The light-colored granites, however, are highly prone to scratching, etching, and staining.

Final Note

In general, granite counters are considered more durable than marble.

However, darker marble may be a better choice than lighter granite, while dark granite is always a good bet!

In the end, each stone is given a rating from A to D, with D being the weakest and A the strongest.

To make your decision about marble and granite countertops in Point Pleasant Beach even clearer, feel free to contact Aphrodite Marble and Granite at 609-693-4450.