Granite or Marble Countertops in Kennesaw, GA

by Kevin Smith Author

No matter where you live or what size your home is, you want the interior to be appealing and functional. Creating an interior space that reflects your personal needs, style, and taste can make your house into a true home. When coming up with a design, one of the most important features to decide on are the counters. Counters should be both functional and add to the overall aesthetic of your home. There are many materials that counters can be made from, but because of durability, elegance and style; granite and marble tend to be the two most consistent choices. This can be especially true in places like Kennesaw, GA, where elegance and functionality are both highly prized. This article will briefly go over the major differences between these two materials.

Types of Stone

At first glance, granite and marble seem very similar. They are both beautiful, multicolored stones that are frequently used for interior designs. However, structurally these two rock types are very different. Granite is an igneous stone, which means that it is formed through the cooling of volcanic material. It is less porous than marble and is usually made up of specs of differently colored minerals. Marble on the other hand, is a metamorphic rock. This means that layers of sediment were compressed beneath the pressure of tectonic plates to form it. It is less dense than granite and instead of a speckled appearance it usually has one smooth color broken up by veins of different minerals.

Durability

Granite and marble can both be extremely durable if proper care is applied to them. They are both hard and resistant to chipping and scratching. They are also both heat resistant, which makes them excellent for kitchen use. They can both be spill resistant if they are properly sealed. However, granite is harder and less porous than marble. This means that it is less likely to chip or be stained by spilled liquid. It is important to note that both granite and marble can be stained if they are not properly sealed. However, marble more quickly absorbs liquid if the seal has worn away, so extra care should be used if you decide on using marble counters.

Appearance

One of the biggest differences between granite and marble counters are their physical appearances. This is also one of the major factors to consider when selecting between the two. Granite has a speckled appearance. It can sometimes have veins of different colors running through it, but these veins tend to be thinner and less concentrated than those found in marble. Marble counters on the other hand tend to have a more fluid appearance. They usually have a milky pallor and are often predominantly white with more thickly concentrated veins running through them. This smoother appearance means that marble countertops in Kennesaw, GA, are quite popular. However, the type of stone you choose to use should be based on your personal vision for your home.

Cost

The price of granite and marble counters vary based on things like mineral inclusions. In general granite is usually slightly less expensive than marble, beginning at a price of around $75 per square foot. Marble usually starts at closer to $100 per square foot. Since prices depend on each unique slab of stone, however, some types of granite can cost closer to $175 per square foot and marble can cost up to $200 per square foot.

When creating your dream home, you want to use the materials that will bring your vision to life. Granite or marble countertops in Kennesaw, GA, can both add elegance and style to your kitchen and bathroom. They both require moderate maintenance but can be long-lasting beautiful features in your design.