Difference Between Quartz, Granite And Marble Countertop

The first step in creating a functioning kitchen is selecting a countertop surface material that is appropriate for your lifestyle. Today's top kitchen and bathroom countertop materials include quartz, granite, and marble, which are all among the best and most popular selections available. They are long-lasting and sturdy, and they are carved, created, and polished to enhance the attractiveness of a home. Quartz, marble, or granite: which should you choose if you're installing new countertops or upgrading your existing ones? What's the difference between quartz, marble, and granite, and why should you care? In this article, we will explore how these three countertop materials compare to one another, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of quartz vs marble vs granite, in order to assist you in making an informed decision on which to select for your countertop in the kitchen and bathroom.

Marble

Even though marble is a naturally occurring stone, it is an extremely porous stone, similar to that of limestone, for example. A travertine would be suitable as well; they are porous and would require little sealing; nevertheless, even with sealing, they can be stained by oils, red wine, and spaghetti sauce if left on the surface for an extended period of time.

Marble has a number of advantages, including a relatively high density, a hard texture, great scratch resistance, strong wear resistance, and a visually appealing texture.

Cons of marble: It has a high porosity, making it prone to accumulating grease. Bacteria thrive in crevices because they are so little. Marble has a high density and as a result requires substantial cabinet support. Despite the fact that the texture is firm, the elasticity is insufficient, and cracks will appear in the event of a significant hit, which will be extremely difficult to fix. When the temperature changes dramatically, certain natural cracks that are not visible will also crack.

Also read: How To Repair A Crack In A Marble Countertop And How To Keep Cracked Marble Countertop Looking Great

Granite

Granite is one of the most widely used and favored countertop materials in the world today. It is a natural stone that is extremely durable; it does not discolor like marble or wood, and it does not require sealing. Due to the fact that it is less porous, you will want to use an excellent granite cleaner and sealer on this surface as well. It's heat resistant, which means you can take a pot right off the burner and set it right on that granite without it breaking or cracking.

Granite offers a number of advantages, including high density, high hardness, good chemical stability, strong durability, and an abrasion-resistant surface, which lowers the risk of dirt adhering to the surface to a certain level. Granite also has a low coefficient of friction. Granite has granular structures that are fine, medium, and coarse, as well as a plaque-like structure. With small gaps between the particles (the porosity is typically 0.3 percent to 0.7 percent), its particles are homogenous and compact, and it has excellent frost resistance. In tests, it was discovered that granite, out of all the materials that may be utilized on an outdoor surface, had the best anti-bacterial regeneration capability.

Granite has a number of disadvantages, including poor fire resistance and a low water absorption rate (water absorption rate is generally 0.15 percent to 0.46 percent ).

Quartz

Quartz countertops offer all of the advantages of granite in a more affordable package. Quartz has the advantage of being antibacterial and non-porous, which is something that many people appreciate. Because it is not porous, any chicken or other things that you use on it will not be able to permeate down into the ground; nonetheless, do not place a hot pot on it. It is formed of natural materials, such as quartz, but it is manufactured with a polymer, it is bonded together with a polymer, and the product itself can scorch, which is why you should always use a hot mat while working with it.

Quartz has a number of advantages, including its high hardness, high temperature resistance, acid and alkali resistance, impact resistance, and ease of cleaning. Additionally, quartz contains no radioactive elements that are harmful to the human body, making it a good choice for medical applications. Composite quartz plate is a super-hard, environmentally friendly material that is made using the most advanced technology available. It comprises up to 93 percent natural quartz but also incorporates resin as well as mineral colors and other additives. Color mixing and vacuum high pressure are used to mould the specified materials into incredibly tight shapes that are exceedingly durable. This type of composite body is subsequently transformed into quartz stone by a time-consuming cutting and surface polishing procedure that is difficult to master. In comparison to granite, the color of this plate is as rich as marble, the structure is as antiseptic and stain resistant as glass, and the shape after finishing is as precise as fake stone. Because of its exceptional performance in a variety of areas, it has emerged as the most preferred material for kitchen and bathroom countertops, walls, and floors throughout the world.

The disadvantages of quartz include a greater price when compared to other stones, which is due to the difficulty in processing quartz stone countertops.

Which is preferable: quartz, granite, or marble, and why?

All three of these countertop materials have their own set of advantages and disadvantages, but all three will increase the value of your property.

Granite is an excellent countertop option if you are searching for a material that is available in a range of colors and styles, is durable and low maintenance, does not fade or discolor with time, and is not sensitive to cleaning chemicals. Marble is an excellent choice for a countertop because it has timeless appeal, can be customized in a range of colors and shapes, and is quite durable. Quartz will be an excellent choice for your home if you want a stunning engineered stone countertop that is easy maintenance and does not require any top coat coatings to be applied. Granite and marble feature a variety of natural grains, flecks, and veins, but quartz has a more homogenous composition and therefore less of these characteristics. It can even be used as a backsplash to match your countertop's color scheme and design.

What Is the Best Way To Clean Marble, Granite, and Quartz Counters?

Use soap and water to clean the stone, making sure all crumbs are removed and that there is no grease left behind. Allow the stone to dry completely before applying the sealer, as you do not want to seal any moisture into the stone.