When it comes to renovating your kitchen, you want to make sure you choose the right stone. Worktops are what make a kitchen. Both granite and marble are beautiful stones, and they each have their unique properties.
Granite: ‘a very hard, granular, crystalline, igneous rock consisting mainly of quartz, mica, and feldspar and often used as a building stone’
Marble: ‘a hard crystalline metamorphic form of limestone, typically white with mottlings or streaks of colour, that is capable of taking a polish and is used in sculpture and architecture’
When it comes to renovating your kitchen, you want to make sure you choose the right stone. Worktops are what make a kitchen. Both granite and marble are beautiful stones, and they each have their unique properties.
Granite is a slightly more versatile stone than marble and is great for both indoor and outdoor use as it still looks new years later. Granite isn’t completely resistant to marks and scratches, but it’s rare to damage the stone which makes it perfect for busy households. The best thing about granite is the easy maintenance. All you need to do is give your granite countertop a quick wipe down with some soap and water, or any shop-bought cleaning product and it will look good as new.
Marble has the most beautiful design of mineral veins running through the stone. It’s great for both modern and traditional homes and adds that touch of luxury to any kitchen, making it a great focal point. Marble is an extremely unique stone and really has the potential to wow your guests – who doesn’t want to be the talk of the town?
With any stone, there’s going to be a few features you need to consider closely. Both granite and marble are natural stones. This means that no two slabs of the stone will be exactly the same. However, at Marble 2 Marvel we buy slabs from the same batch, meaning the colour and veins will match throughout the slabs we provide for your project. Granite is porous which means it can stain if moisture enters the stone. To avoid this, you should seal your granite worktops every other year. Marble is the same and should be sealed every year to maintain its moisture resistance. Unlike granite, marble is prone to scratching as it’s a much softer stone. To avoid this, always use a chopping board and never place heavy items on a marble worktop as this can cause bruising. Marble is also calcium-based which means it can be damaged by acid. Make sure to use a pH neutral cleaner and avoid direct contact between the worktop and acidic foods to prevent damage to the marble.
When it comes to prices, marble can cost a bit more than granite as it’s such a unique and beautiful stone. The cost of maintaining marble worktops is also pricier as you need specific products to clean them without the risk of damaging the stone. However, the cost of fitting the two types of stone are similar.
When it comes down to deciding between granite or marble worktops, it’s all about personal preference. Both are beautiful, unique stones that create stand-out aesthetics. If you’re looking for a slightly cheaper stone that requires less maintenance, granite is probably your best choice; whereas if you want a slightly more expensive, luxurious look and can maintain the stone, marble is the material for you.
Another popular choice for high-quality kitchen worktops is Quartz. Quartz is a beautiful material available in a range of colours, and is strong and hygienic, making it perfect for any kitchen. Quartz is also the most hardwearing of the three materials discussed and doesn’t require sealing. For more information on Quartz, we have a dedicated blog post Granite vs quartz available here.
If you’re stuck with what stone is right for you, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. We have years of experience and lots of stones for you to browse. We’d love to help you create your dream kitchen through a stunning stone worktop.