Why You Should Consider Granite Over Marble Countertops for a Luxury Kitchen Upgrade
If you’ve decided to remodel your kitchen to give it a more luxurious look, your choices for countertop materials are marble and granite. We at Stone City know that marble has traditionally been chosen for its stylish look, but granite is more durable, less expensive and comes in a variety of colors and textures that compare to the finish of marble. Consider the benefits of granite over marble before you make your final kitchen upgrade plans.
Color and Finish Choices
Marble is mined and imported from several countries. The veins in the natural stone are what give it its unique patterns. It is found in a variety of colors including reds, pinks, browns, greens and blues. It is also the most expensive countertop material used in the kitchen.
The marble can be polished to a glassy sheen or honed to a dull finish. The choice is up to the preference of the homeowner and does impact maintenance of the countertop.
Most of the granite used in the U.S. for countertops is also imported, but it is less expensive than comparable marble. It comes in a variety of colors such as beige, black, blue, brown, gold, gray, green, pink, red, and white. This natural stone includes veins, swirls and specks that give each surface a unique look.
Granite can also be polished to a gloss making it look similar to a marble surface. It can also be left natural to bring out the look of the stone.
Care and Maintenance
The polishing process of marble helps to seal the pores of the stone. If the polishing was not done well, leaving spots and light areas, the stone can be stained by foods and liquids. The stone absorbs these materials leaving a noticeable stain as it spreads under the polished portion. To prevent this, a sealer must be applied frequently to guard against stains.
Etching can occur on the marble when an acidic substance is allowed to rest on the surface. Coffee, vinegar and tomato sauce can eat through the finish and physically damage the stone. The dull, honed countertop tends to hide these etch marks and is one reason why people choose this option. However, the honed surface is more vulnerable to stains so it must be kept sealed to protect it.
Marble is also resistant to heat but you can’t place hot pans directly on the surface. The color of the marble can change as a result of direct contact with hot pans and utensils. Marble also resists chipping but can crack. Repairs are difficult, with the replacement of the countertop section the only real solution.
Granite can also stain, but sealers prevent this. Etching occurs less frequently on granite surfaces and are not as noticeable. Chips and cracks can occur, but they are easily repaired with color-matching epoxies that are polished to blend the material in with the natural stone.
Unlike marble, granite countertops are so resistant to scratches that they can be used as a cutting board without danger of damaging it. They are also more resistant to heat than marble countertops. Hot items can be placed directly on the surface without damaging or discoloring it.
Design Considerations
When looking at granite countertops in Sioux Falls, you’ll see that it provides more design options. We can cut it into more shapes than marble. Curves, arches and ovals can be cut from granite to match the special design of your kitchen. The edge of the granite can be honed to different shapes and finishes, too.
With marble and granite the choice for a luxury kitchen upgrade, we know you’ll find the design flexibility, maintenance and cost of granite a better option. We can match granite countertops to any kitchen decor desired.
photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/65783775@N00/482490475">Sagaponak Kitchen 2</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/">(license)</a>
