When we were remodeling our kitchen, I struggled between choosing between marble and quartz countertops. While I’m definitely not an expert in countertop materials, I wanted to share my insights with you and explain why I ultimately chose one over the other. I’ve narrowed it down to three main factors to consider when choosing a countertop for your space: cost, appearance, and maintenance.
Material
Marble is a natural material made from limestone or dolomite rock whereas quartz is a man-made, engineered product from a combination of natural stone and polymer resin. Both materials are extremely popular due to its beauty but differences in cost, appearance, and maintenance may sway you one way or the other.
Cost
It depends on what company you choose to use but generally speaking quartz is a more affordable option than marble. Quartz countertops range anywhere from $2,200 and $5,600 depending on the size of your space. Marble, on the other hand, could range anywhere from $2,800 to $8,400. It’s important to consider the cost in terms of the entire project you’re working on. For example, if you’re remodeling a kitchen, only a certain amount of money in your budget can be allocated to countertops. Depending on which one you chose, you may have more or less money to work with when purchasing other items including cabinets and appliances.
Appearance
Because it’s man-made, quartz will give you a more consistent appearance and you can count on the product looking exactly like the sample you saw in the showroom. Some quartz products even give the appearance of marble. Or if prefer something different, quartz comes in a variety of patterns and colors so you’ll to find something to fit the needs of your space. Marble is chosen time and time again because of its gorgeous and classic appearance. Because it’s a natural stone, each marble slab will be one-of-a-kind with unique veining and coloring. High-end marble could also increase your home’s value.
Maintenance
Marble is a natural stone product so it tends to be a higher maintenance countertop. Marble has to be frequently sealed to resist staining from water spots, acidic products, and food stains. It does a moderate job against heat but isn’t 100% resistant. If you’re someone that has young children or are a messy cook like myself, perhaps marble wouldn’t be right for you. But if you don’t think the water spots or stains would bother you and believe that it would just add more character to the already unique countertops than marble may be the way to go. Because marble continues to require regular sealing, you should also factor that into total long-term costs. Quartz is man-made and non-porous so it doesn’t require sealing or waxing. It’s a lower-maintenance option and easy to clean with hot water, soap, and a sponge. It stands up very well against cuts, heat, and abrasions, and it’s basically stain-resistant. Busy homeowners who tend to be messy or have kids tend to choose quartz over marble for that reason.
Ultimately, even though I think marble is absolutely gorgeous and a stunning classic, we decided on quartz and I don’t regret it for a second. As a perfectionist, I knew that water stains would bother me and my husband and I tend to live hard in the kitchen. I also wanted a product that would stand the test of time against future children and it also helped that it was the more affordable option.
What’s your vote? Marble or quartz? Be sure to subscribe to the blog to get new posts delivered to your email and let me know if you would like to see a kitchen transformation post featuring my quartz countertops!
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