Granite vs. Marble: Which is the Better Natural Stone?

“Should I choose granite or marble?”

It’s one of the most common questions our Clients ask every day. And it’s definitely one of the toughest decisions you have to make if you’re remodeling your kitchen and bath.

As a dimension stone, these two materials have been a popular choice for Architects, Interior Designers, and even homeowners because of their natural beauty and remarkable functionality. As such, it helps to know about each of their pros and cons.

What’s more, it’s essential to have a background about their performance in various applications, be it a countertop, vanity top, or floor tile. After all, you’d only want what’s best for your home, right?

As we dive deeper into the benefits and drawbacks of these two materials, rest assured that by the end of this article, you’d be able to make a better and smarter decision for your next countertop project at home.

To begin, both granite and marble are natural stones quarried from deep within the Earth. They have an inherent beauty that no human-made surface, such as engineered quartz or ceramic tile, can match.

They both have irregular specks or veins that flow across their entire surface. These stones vary in color, but the most common ones are red, beige, white, black, beige, green, and brown.

As a natural resource, every granite and marble slab is unique. No two pieces will ever look entirely the same. Hence, you’ll never find the same countertop material in your home anywhere else in the world.

Both stones can also be custom-fabricated to meet the demands of your project. Whether you have a big or small kitchen, a traditional or modern interior, granite and marble will surely make a big impact on any space, whatever the application is.

Well, it’s hard to say which one is better than the other, so let’s take a sneak peek at the following features to see which material suits best inside your home.

Appearance

Whenever you hear the word “marble,” what comes to your mind first?

Is it the grand lobby of a five-star hotel?

Is it the smell of a freshly-brewed coffee on an alabaster tabletop?

Or, is it the statue of David in all its glory?

Whatever popped in your head first, only one thing’s for sure: we mostly associate marble with things that are classic, beautiful, and sophisticated.

Additionally, it is known for its irregular veins that flow and contrast against its base color. These veins are usually caused by impurities, such as silt, sand, and iron oxide.

Granite, on the other hand, is characterized by its granular composition with a color that ranges from both ends of the spectrum. Depending on its origin, granite can have swirls, veins, specks, and flecks across its surface.

Like marble, the minerals that make up granite also form its unique appearance. The combination of various minerals, such as quartz, potassium feldspar, and amphibole, create the colors we see in granite.

Nevertheless, appearance alone should not be the basis of your decision. After all, beauty, as they say, is in the eye of the beholder. Before you choose between granite and marble, it’s best to consider their other characteristics as well.

Durability

When it comes to durability, there’s no doubt that granite wins the game.

Granite, after all, is not only highly durable but also scratch-resistant. Moreover, it can withstand extreme temperature and bear significant weight. Overall, these benefits make this particular stone an ideal countertop material.

Marble, on the contrary, can easily crack or chip. Its crystalline nature makes it susceptible to staining and etching as well. Should you wish to use this natural stone for your kitchen, you’ll need to put a little more care to keep your counter looking new for years.

Range of Applications

Granite’s durability and natural beauty make it a great option for kitchen countertops, vanity tops, and high-traffic applications, such as floor tiles, pavements, and pool coping. Moreover, its diverse colors and styles make it a great design element for many residential and commercial spaces.

Marble, on the other hand, is great for display kitchens and bathroom vanities. Its classic beauty and timeless appeal make it a top choice for five-star hotels and high-end residences. Marble, after all, is beauty, elegance, and sophistication combined.

Cost

Natural stones, in general, are costlier compared to ceramic or porcelain tiles. But when we compare granite with marble, the former is considerably more affordable.

The cost of granite starts at Php1,600 per square meter, while for marble, it’s Php4,000 per square meter. The prices vary depending on the stones’ size, thickness, origin, and rarity.

In addition, you also need to consider the cost of fabrication and installation as well. An experienced professional will charge you based on the size and complexity of your project.

Maintenance

When choosing a countertop material for your project, it’s important to consider the upkeep it requires too. Your countertop, whether it’s made up of natural or engineered stone, needs to be cared for properly to maintain its appearance and function.

It is important that you seal your stone regularly as needed. Furthermore, to preserve the beauty of your granite or marble countertop:

Remember to clean your counter after every usage;
Wipe up spills and drips immediately as they occur;
Always use a specially formulated stone cleaner on its surface;
Use a cutting board when preparing meals;
Avoid sitting or standing on its surface.

Conclusion

Now that we’ve listed some noteworthy points about granites and marbles, which of the two are you more interested in?

If you think you won’t be able to devote ample time to maintain your counter, we recommend you go for granite. It’s a highly-durable surface that won’t get you worrisome.

On the other hand, if you’re leaning towards using marble, ensure that you’ll be able to take care of regularly. It’s a high-end material that requires utmost care and maintenance.

Either way, these two materials will surely add beauty and elegance to your kitchen space. Visit our showroom today and check out our wide range of stone products for your home.

Saint Mark Construction Supply offers a spectrum of granite, marble, and engineered stones for kitchen countertops and bathroom vanity tops. Drop by our showroom along EDSA in Balintawak, Quezon City, to view our product lineup. Call us today at (02) 8352 0195 to get a quote.

For projects in Visayas and Mindanao, you may want to check out our affiliate, Stone Depot. They have branches in Cebu, Davao, Cagayan de Oro, and Iloilo City.