When it comes to choosing the right material for your bathroom countertops, there are no other materials you would like to choose instead of quartz and marble. Since they are both natural stones, their susceptibility to staining and chipping is very high. Even so, granite is slightly more durable than marble and has a much higher resistance to stains and scratches. Reviewing these aspects, we can say that these are the main reasons of using mostly granite countertops in kitchen and using marble vanity tops in the bathroom.

Color Combinations for Granite and Marble

Despite the fact that both rocks are natural stones, the appearance for each of them is very different. Most marble patterns have a gray-whitish or cream color and dark veining system, even if, rare models can be found with pink base or pale green shades. The dark veining is a result of mixing the consistence of marble with mineral impurities like iron oxides and silt, resulting in a beautiful nature miracle.

On the other hand, granite has its color range palette obtained from the bounding of the melted stones inside its texture. Rocks like Quartz, mica biotite, amphibole or feldspar, combine into a single substance, resulting in a very unique pattern, based on the quantity of each component in the reaction.

General features of quartz and marble worktops:

• Stainable;
• Usable outdoor;
• Heat resistant;
• Scratch resistant;
• Low maintenance;
• Porous material;
• Sensitive to acidic liquids.

Cost and Environmental Considerations

The cost for both countertop materials vary in the range $40 – $150, depending on the color and the design required. However, high-end marble is more likely to be more expensive than high-end granite due to its natural veining and more classical look.

In order to obtain manageable rectangular slabs, large blocks of marble and granite are mined in cut carefully due to the fact that both of them are sturdy. When it comes to ecology, I can say for sure that neither of them is more eco-friendly. Large amounts of fuel and energy are necessary to initially mine, cut, transport and install these state-of-art countertops.

Granite has also a huge disadvantage toward marble since in its composition can be found traces of naturally-occurring radioactive uranium, radium and thorium. These elements, over time, can decay and release a gas called radon, which in high quantity can produce cancer. Thus, installing granite worktops all over your house is not recommended if health problems are a serious topic in your family.

Applications and Maintenance

Although both marble and granite confer a modern look to the house, there are some places that are recommended to be used with only one of these types. For example, granite countertops are more suitable to be used in kitchens and on floors, due to its more durable nature, since marble is more likely to be used in areas with less traffic, like bathrooms, where it can be used for tub decks, shower walls, flooring or vanities.

One over another, both granite and marble stones are perfectly to be used in your house decorations, since they have an acceptable price, a high durability, a low maintenance time and the property to be stain resistant, conferring them a much cleaner look.