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Quartz, Granite, or Marble. Which Stone Should I Choose for My Project?

Decisions, decisions. When starting a new kitchen or bathroom project, you inevitably have to make a choice in terms of materials. While there are a wide variety of stones to choose from, most people end up with three on their shortlist: quartz, granite, or marble. Which should you choose for your project? We’ll give you a brief rundown of each.

Granite is harvested directly from the earth in huge stone slabs and no two are alike. Granite is a very durable surface that homeowners use indoors for counters in the kitchen and bathroom as well as showers. Granite is extremely heavy and almost certainly requires expert installation. However, once it is installed, you will never need to worry about replacing it again.

Granite will never dull, however, we recommend a yearly seal for kitchen countertops in order to prevent them from being damaged. Pieces are irregular and unique – this is seen as a drawback to some and a bonus to others. 

Quartz is an engineered stone, meaning it’s an approximately 93/7 ratio of natural crushed quartz to resin. The result is a much more flexible stone (in terms of design and use). Unlike granite, quartz never needs sealing and regular maintenance is quite easy. Quartz can come in a near limitless number of colors, shapes, and patterns. One drawback of quartz is that it can get discolored if exposed to direct sunlight, which could cause unevenness depending on your kitchen. 

Marble is a surface associated with classic luxury and beauty. Indeed, mansions, palaces, and castles around the world are covered in the exquisite material. This igneous stone is alluring, but for most homeowners, the best place for marble is in the bathroom. This is because, in spite of its ability to withstand heat, marble can be easily scratched or chipped; it’s also very porous, so it can be stained as well. Marble can be sealed to prevent some damage and in recent years sealers have become very advanced.

Ultimately, the decision between quartz, granite, and marble is a personal one. It will involve some tangibles such as budget and space, but also some intangibles like aesthetics and goals. 

The best bet is to speak to someone at Artelye Marble & Granite, Maryland’s experts in stone and fabricated countertops. We’ve been down this road many times before with other customers facing this similar dilemma. If you’re near our Beltsville showroom, you can come in and see/feel the difference. We also have a new location in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Whatever countertop you end up choosing, Artelye will provide a professional installation and stand behind our work. Our Stone Assure warranty for granite is good for 20 years.