Choosing your countertops: marble or granite?
When you are considering which material to choose for your kitchen counters, many facets need to be carefully examined and weighed before making a decision. After all, when it comes to granite and marble, neither are cheap options. And if you are going to spend a penny on materials to furnish your home, you must make the right decision. So, let’s see what are the characteristics of both granite and marble. Along the way, we’ll mention how those traits translate into practical benefits.
The characteristics of granite
This igneous rock is usually made up of quartz and feldspar which give granite its incredibly colorful appearance. Since these minerals come in a variety of colors, it’s no surprise that you can find granite countertops in almost every color. Grey, pink, black, green, and the list goes on and on. This diverse selection of colors is one of the characteristics that makes granite such a popular surface. And while it’s not a modest option, it’s tough stuff. Which brings us to another sought-after quality when finding a good countertop for your home: durability.
The strength of the granite is another key aspect of what makes people select this as their countertop. On the Mohs scale (a scale for measuring the hardness of a substance), which ranges from 1 to 10, granites fall in the 6 to 7 range. Therefore, they are considered hard. This feature stands out when selected as a countertop because it means that a granite countertop will hold up well to the regular events that can put a surface under the “attack” of daily use. For example, imagine a hungry teenager trying to separate two pieces of frozen meat. Your solution may be to firmly bounce the frozen balloon off a hard surface to separate them. Therefore, for its diverse beauty and strength, granite countertops are the choice of many people like you who are choosing new countertops.
noble qualities of marble
The elegance of marble really shines through its soft, delicate shades that vary in color. Compared to granite, marble requires a bit more maintenance. It weighs around 5 on the Mohs scale and is considered a softer stone than granite. The mineral calcite is a key part of the shiny and even shiny look that marble is known for. Because calcite is a small crystalline formation, it gives a distinctive shine to a marble countertop. However, that key mineral also triggers caution, a reaction known as etching.
The shiny surface of a marble countertop can sometimes be etched. Some people refer to these etch marks as “blemishes” or “dull spots.” In reality, this engraving is the result of the shine caused by the calcite being eaten by acidic liquids that can be found in the home, such as citrus juices, soft drinks or vinegar, among others. When these acids come into contact with calcite, they devour it and the result is a “dazzled” marble. It is treatable with commercial products, however this is something to consider when choosing new countertops.
The bottom line is that both granite and marble can stain and there are some necessary maintenance treatments that all natural stone requires. These include sealing and using a neutral PHP cleaner that will not dissolve the sealer. But no matter which you choose, be it granite or marble, you’ll have a beautiful and durable natural stone to serve as the “heart of your home,” the kitchen.