If you are replacing your kitchen or bathroom countertops, you most likely considered marble and granite! Natural stone is an incredible choice for your new countertops, but there are important things to know before you pick out and purchase your marble or granite slab!
Marble and Granite are natural stone materials, and both are porous. Technically speaking, marble is a metamorphic rock formed from recrystallized carbon. It is formed out of limestone that is subjected to intense pressure and heat due to tectonic shifting in the earth’s crust.
Granite is an igneous rock composed of grains of compressed quartz, feldspar, mica and similar materials. This means that granite is slightly harder than marble, but both offer reasonably good durability.
Marble and Granite’s Appearance
Appearance wise, granite slabs will show the grains of the stone. These grains may appear as specks that are varied in color, so a granite slab might contain a variety of hues – blue, green, orange, pink, red, etc., typically in medium to dark shades.
The “pattern” is larger in marble. The color tends to be consistent with veins running through it that concentrate the color. A gray-blue slab of marble might have darker blue veins; a gray-pink slab might contain veins that are quite rosy-red in color.
Whether you prefer granite or marble slabs is subjective to your personal style taste. At Distinctive Marble and Granite we will show you a variety of different options and help you narrow down slabs based upon your style and aesthetic preferences! We can help you find slabs that match any paint or cabinetry in your space as well.
Maintenance and Durability
Most experts agree that granite requires moderate maintenance to keep it looking beautiful and to help ensure it lasts a long time!
Marble is moderate to high maintenance. The care involved is keeping it sealed, avoiding acidic materials, and wiping up spills quickly.
We recommend using warm water and mild dish soap to clean your marble or granite countertops – chemical cleaners can lead to the breakdown of the seal and damage your countertops over time!
Marble and Granite Pricing
When deciding on natural stone for your countertops, it is important to know your budget! You want to know how much material is needed for your new countertops to get an accurate estimate. The complexity of the job – the number of seams and corners and the style of sink you select – will have an impact on countertop costs too.
Distinctive Marble & Granite will help you find the perfect slab for your budget and project size.
Are you ready to start checking out some beautiful marble and granite slabs for your new countertops? Come visit our Plain City, OH showroom to browse our indoor slab yard and hundreds of colors of natural stone. We can’t wait to see you!