Thinking of upgrading your kitchen? There are a myriad of design choices to make – from what appliances to install to what color and materials of cabinets to choose. Amongst these, though, lies the very important question of: which countertop material is the right fit for my home?
Undoubtedly, marble, granite, and quartz countertops are massively popular and have been rivals in the market for years at this point, but none of these materials will suit everyone. Let us dive into the strengths and weaknesses of each of these materials to see what will work best for your lifestyle and preferences.
Marble
Marble is one of the most sought-after materials for its luxurious and timeless appeal. Marble was used to decorate opulent ancient buildings, and is synonymous with wealth and glamour, so it certainly still holds that same status today. However, marble is not only stunningly beautiful, but it has a lot of great benefits, too:
1. Durability
Marble can easily last decades, even up to 100 years, with proper care and maintenance. This typically involves sealing it every so often, and ensuring not to stain it by wiping up spills quickly, and avoiding acidic materials on it.
This makes it a worthwhile purchase – though the upfront costs of buying and installing it are cheap, you won’t have to worry about replacing it for the rest of your lifetime, and potentially even your children’s! Now that is an investment.
2. ROI
Marble, as was mentioned before, is a highly desirable material and a symbol of status. So naturally, buyers in a market would want to have a home with marble in it somewhere, especially in the kitchen! Not only are kitchens considered high-return investments when upgrading your house for a sale, but marble adds an extra layer to that, increasing the value of your home considerably!
Even if you are not considering selling your house anytime soon, you can rest assured that one of your biggest assets will continue to increase in value.
3. Versatility and Availability
There are marble quarries all over the world, making them fairly more accessible than certain niche stones, cutting down the shipping time, which can be weeks at times. There is also a lot of variability in the kind of stone you purchase. When we think of marble, we often think white, but this beautiful stone also comes in colors like black, green, grey, and others, suiting whatever design needs you have. Its natural occurrence also means that no two marble slabs will ever be the same, and you can take pride in knowing that you have a unique piece of the earth in your home! Not to mention that you can either choose to finish your stone with polish – giving it a shiny and dazzling appearance, or with honing – giving a textured, matte appearance. With so much variety, you can never run out of options and styles.
Some drawbacks of marble do include the fact that its porous surface makes staining easier, and acidic liquids such as wine, coffee, and tomato sauce can cause discoloration over time if they are often left to sit on the surface.
Many people also consider marble to be a “high maintenance” stone, given its requirements for sealing it, cleaning it with specific solutions, avoiding putting heat directly on its surface, etc. Though this is true, it is important to consider that almost all natural stone will require an extra bit of care. But if this is too much of a hassle for you, perhaps consider some engineered options.
Quartz
Quartz is one of the most abundantly available minerals in nature, but the commercial-grade quartz that is used in our homes has been slightly engineered. The quartz slabs available for purchase are typically made up of 90% quartz stone and 10% resin, which helps to seal everything together. This allows quartz to typically have a level of uniformity that marble and granite don’t typically offer, but that same luxurious appeal. Quartz did not gain notoriety for a reason, and here is a short list of why quartz may be the choice for you:
1. Durability
Quartz is incredibly hard, ranking 7 on the Mohs scale of hardness – that means that very few things could actually scratch quartz. In fact, doing any kind of slicing or chopping directly on a quartz surface can dull your knives instead! It is always helpful to know that your kitchen counters won’t be susceptible to scratches and chips, especially given how high-traffic an area it is supposed to be. Naturally, this makes for a very long-lasting finish to your kitchen.
2. Easy maintenance
Generally, quartz is pretty easy to clean – any mild cleaning solution should do the trick! Given its hardness, quartz is not typically as porous as other stones, meaning that staining isn’t as big a concern, but it is still highly advised to clean up spills as quickly as you can. Lastly, there is no need to ever seal quartz! That’s one less item on your yearly maintenance checklist
3. Versatility and customisability
Quartz slabs are made by grinding quartz stone down and sealing it with resin, and often, this allows for a lot more design freedom! You can get quartz in a variety of colours and designs, and many people opt to fashion their quartz to look like expensive marble, and the resemblance is marvelous! This also allows you to choose to create more uniform slabs to use, if that is something that you desire. The possibilities are really endless.
4. Heat resistance
Quartz’s hardness naturally also makes it one of the most heat-resistant surfaces. You can generally safely place hot pots directly on their surface and not have to concern yourself about damaging them. Some would advise, however, to still make use of trivets, but at least you can allow yourself the peace of mind of knowing that your countertops will survive the occasional times that you end up putting a piping hot skillet right on your counter – it is a kitchen after all, and you should want a material that can handle most kitchen-related risks.
There are a few downsides to consider, however. Firstly, despite its engineered nature, quartz countertops are still relatively pricey and could easily compete with granite and some lower-priced marbles. Additionally, most quartz stone is not suitable for outdoor use, and prolonged exposure to direct sunlight may result in discoloration or weakening. In fact, this can happen even for quartz indoors that is exposed to direct sunlight through a window. If you were looking for a beautiful stone top for a full outdoor kitchen, you may want to consider alternatives.
Granite
Granite is a beautiful stone that has certainly taken the market by storm. From its natural yet luxurious appearance, it offers a lot of the utility of marble, but at a lower price for many people. But beyond its proximity to other natural stones, granite is desirable for these reasons:
1. ROI
Like quartz, granite is incredibly dense, making it a very hard material that is difficult to scratch or damage. The upside is also that this highly dense material is difficult to stain, as it is not as porous as marble, keeping it looking as pristine for years down the line as it was when it was new!
Granite generally increases your home’s value when you install it. The many benefits that will be discussed below make it a desirable addition to any home, and people enjoy the benefits of stone countertops at a more affordable price point than marble.
2. Easy maintenance
Not only is granite easy to clean, it’s high density also makes it wonderfully anti-microbial! This is a big plus for the germaphobes. This high density also means that it won’t stain as easily, so you do not need to be as concerned about doing any chopping on top of the surface (except that your knives will probably be dulled over time), and you can easily wipe it down with a soap and water solution and a cloth. Granite only needs resealing every 1-2 years, which can also help to mitigate any porousness and minimize the risk of long-term stains even more.
3. Versatility
Not only is granite available in a variety of colors and patterns, each unique because of its natural excavation from the earth as opposed to manufacturing, but it is also good to be used both indoors and outdoors! You do not need to worry about your granite being worn down by direct sunlight, and you can easily make this your choice for a new outdoor kitchen renovation!
4. Heat resistance
Granite is one of the most heat-resistant materials available for kitchen countertops, which also adds to the ease. Generally, it is pretty safe to put piping hot pots and pans directly on its surface, although it is always advised to use trivets where you can.
Things to consider when it comes to granite, however, is that many of the available options are quite expensive, so you may need to consider that when opting for a more budget-friendly renovation. Additionally, certain granite styles – especially those with specks – are considered to be “outdated” and may therefore not necessarily appeal to new buyers if you are looking to renovate your home to sell it, so you may not get the biggest return on this particular type of investment.
Conclusion
Whether you are getting ready to sell your home, or are looking to transform it into a space that will feel more like you for the next 10 years, the best transformations start in the heart of the home – the kitchen. At JG Contracting, we pride ourselves on our phenomenal craftsmanship and would be eager to be your contractors of choice for your next kitchen renovation project.
From shiny countertops to dazzling hardware, we consider every detail thoughtfully to deliver a result that satisfies your heart’s desires. If you are feeling inspired to start a project today, contact us today!
📧 Email: jgcontractingyyz@gmail.com
📞 Phone: 437-259-9632
🌐 Website: https://jgcontractingyyz.com
