| Chattanooga's countertop questions answered... |
Q. Which one should I choose: Marble Countertops? Granite Countertops? Or Quartz Countertops?
A. The choice between Granite, Marble and Quartz can be a tough one. Each one of these materials has its own set of characteristics that, depending on the application, make it more or less advantageous than the others. The very first question that you must ask yourself is: How do I want to use this the space in which this material will reside?
Answers to this question could range from: "I won't really use the space – it's a powder room" to "I cook once or twice a week, so it should hold up to mild wear and tear." to "I need it to be a trivet, a chopping block, a multipurpose serving-eating-entertaining-homeworking-crafting surface."
If an honest answer leads you to believe that the countertop will be used lightly, then you should feel comfortable selecting a marble countertop, a granite countertop or a quartz countertop based solely on your aesthetic preferences.
If you predict that more will be required of your surface, consider removing marble countertops from your list of options. Marble is softer and more porous therefore requires a little more upkeep under heavy use. However, if you had your heart set on that oh-so-beautiful white marble countertop, just realize that it will require clean up vigilance (if spilled liquids are left on a marble countertop, they can leave a stain – yes, even if it has been properly sealed) and regular sealing... and even then, marble countertops often patina.
If you are selecting material for your kitchen and - like mine – your family's center of operations is that kitchen – then a super durable granite countertop or quartz countertop surface is the recommendation.
Choose a granite countertop if you prefer a more organic aesthetic. If you favor a sleeker, more monolithic look – consider a quartz countertop. At this point, both products meet such similar durability criterion, that the difference between the two is purely aesthetic!
Still struggling to decide? Check with Mack, Ryan or Scott down at Stone Services' Chattanooga showroom. They will be happy to help you figure out which material will best suit your needs.
Also, be sure to check back regularly as we'll continue to answer Chattanooga's countertop questions.
