Granite, Marble or Quartz Countertops?

Here is the Info You Need to Find the Right Stone for Your Kitchen Surfaces

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When building or renovating a kitchen, one of the hardest design decisions is selecting a counter surface.

Before you can even think about color, you need to pick the right stone that matches your aesthetics and lifestyle.

With so many options to choose from, the decision can be difficult. It is important to consider your design style, durability, maintenance requirements, cost, and ease of clean-up.

Below are the pros and cons of granite, marble and quartz as counter surfaces to help you decide what option will work best for your kitchen needs.

Granite – A Natural Stone

Pros
• Durable
• Heat resistant
• Scratch resistant
• Chemical resistant
• Stain resistant
• Low maintenance
• Ideal for preparing baked goods
• Unique shadings and striations

Cons
• Porous, so it needs to be regularly sealed to protect against stains, moisture and bacteria

Quartz – An Engineered Stone Surface

Pros
• Durable
• Heat resistant
• Scratch resistant
• Chemical resistant
• Stain resistant
• Low maintenance
• No sealing required
• Artificially colored, so more hue options
• Non-porous

Cons
• Hard to duplicate the veining and patterns found in granite and marble
Less resistant to heat than granite
• More expensive than granite
• Can discolor when exposed to strong sunlight

Marble – A Natural Stone

Pros
• Heat resistant
• Attractive veining
• Ages beautifully
• Large variety of colors and patterns

Cons
• Porous so it needs to be regularly sealed to prevent staining
• More porous than granite
• Sensitive to some chemical agents, so spills need to be cleaned quickly
• Not as durable granite or quartz, it can scratch and chip more easily
• Not heat, scratch, chemical or stain resistant

Looking to remodel a kitchen in the Bergen County, NJ area? Give us a call for more countertop tips, to see examples of kitchens we have installed and remodeled, or to learn how we can help with your renovation.