WHAT ARE THE MAIN DIFFERENCES BETWEEN MARBLE, GRANITE AND QUARTZ?
Granite and marble worktops are actually natural stone slabs, quarried from the ground in large blocks which are then cut, shaped and polished to fit the end customer’s requirements. Quartz worktops are man-made from 93% crushed quartz mixed with 7% resin. As Quartz worktops are manufactured they come in a wide range of colours and patterns, whereas granite comes in more natural stone colours. Marble is very distinctive with its veined appearance.
WHICH IS CHEAPER, GRANITE OR QUARTZ?
This depends on many things and unfortunately, there is no straightforward answer! The price is down to several factors including which brand it is, and – in the case of marble and granite – where it has come from. The thickness of the worktops is obviously a factor, and some of the cheaper brands achieve a lower price by offering thinner cuts of marble, granite or quartz. In the long term, cheap quartz with no warranty can stain and the surface can become textured.
HOW DO I KNOW WHICH ONE IS RIGHT FOR MY KITCHEN?
Granite is one of the most popular materials for kitchen worktops and looks great in both modern and traditional houses. Marble is a popular choice for high-end homes as it has long been associated with luxury, although we wouldn’t recommend using marble for kitchen worktops because it’s more porous than granite and susceptible to staining.
Quartz, as previously mentioned, comes in a fantastic range of colours including colours not found in the natural stone shades of marble and granite. In the end, the choice for most people between marble, granite, and quartz comes down to their personal preference on the appearance of the worktops; the bottom line is that either granite, marble or quartz will add the wow factor to your kitchen, and will potentially add value to your home.
Our showroom is the ideal place to come and see examples of granite and quartz to help you decide which one is right for you.
WHICH IS MORE HARDWEARING?
Granite and marble are both naturally porous stones and so must be sealed to prevent staining. We recommend that this is done every year. Quartz is virtually non-porous and so does not require sealing. Of the three materials, quartz and granite are the strongest.
ISN’T IT BETTER TO BUY OUR WORKTOPS FROM THE SUPPLIER OF OUR NEW KITCHEN CABINETS, RATHER THAN BUYING THEM DIRECT?
There is no need to buy your worktops from your cabinet supplier – we are experienced at working alongside other suppliers to fit in with the timescales of kitchen renovation projects. By buying directly from master craftsmen you can be assured of a professional finish, whilst cutting out the middleman, thus saving money.
WHICH WILL LAST LONGER?
Granite worktops are natural stone and with a reasonable amount of care and with regular sealing, they will last for many years. Quartz worktops will also have a long life with a small amount of care. Please contact our experienced team if you would like advice on the day-to-day care of marble, granite, and quartz worktops.
WHICH IS HEAVIER?
Granite is heavier than quartz, but generally speaking, the weight of the worktops doesn’t cause an issue either on old or new kitchen cabinets.
CAN MARBLE, GRANITE AND QUARTZ WORKTOPS BE REPAIRED?
Yes – we offer a low-cost repair and maintenance service for all of our worktops. Basic repairs are dependent on the type of damage and which material is used.
