If you are going to remodel your bathroom, you must have thought about the bathroom vanity countertop too. And out of many countertop materials, two are very famous and well-known. Yes, we are talking about Marble and Quartz. You must be torn between the decision to pick anyone because both are the best in their way. So, we wrote this guide explaining the different scenarios they are perfect for. We are going to explore the differences, including durability, maintenance, design and a lot more of these two popular quartz vs marble countertop materials.
Appearance
One fundamental way to differentiate between quartz and marble countertops is to see from where these materials are sourced.
Quartz
Quartz countertops are a type of engineered stone. It is made by combining crushed stones with the polymer of resins. The end product contains 90-95% stone with 5-10% resin. Pigments are then added to create different textures. It comes in numerous colours and features to give a luxury look to your place. The material is then shaped into slabs to provide it with the characteristic appearance of the stone.
Marble
Marble is a type of natural rock. It’s found worldwide and has always been a centre of attention for architects and artists. Marble comes in various colours, including white, pink and grey. What sets marble apart from other stones is its remarkable veining. This comes in an array of variable colors and features. This gives marble an aesthetic glimpse and allows each slab to look different from the other.
What’s more durable, Quartz vs Marble?
Whether you choose Marble or Quartz, durability is a key factor to look at!
Marble
Marble is a porous stone. Porous materials can absorb whatsoever comes in contact with them.
One of the major drawbacks of marble is that it reacts with harsh acids, oils and even standing water, and you’re left with etching residue on the surface. It is easily susceptible to scratches as well. If you want to install a marble countertop, you have to take care of it in every possible way.
Quartz
Quartz, on the other hand, is much more spillproof. As it is an artificial stone, it is non-porous. Standing water, oil remains and even harsh acids are a perfect match for Quartz.
Marble, a soft stone, isn’t scratch resistant; quartz can also resist scratches. These all signs give Quartz a higher rank than Marble as it is resistant to chipping, etching, cracks and stains.
Which one is more susceptible to staining and harbouring germ, Marble or Quartz?
Another major difference between Quartz and Marble is the hardness. When comparing marble and quartz on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness ( where 1 is the softest and 10 is the hardest), Marble ranked three while Quartz on 7.
Marble
Marble is the softest and most porous stone and is more prone to staining. If you spill something on the marble so it may give a stain if not cleaned quickly. The scratch marks also become a home for thousands of bacteria and moulds. However, a benefit of marble is that it can be polished repeatedly to get rid of stains and scratches on the surface.
Quartz
Quartz, the non-porous stone, is more resistant to bacteria, moulds and scratches and does not need to be sealed. It can be a fit for a long time, but it’s trickier to get it polished.
Which is easy to upkeep, Quartz or Marble?
Nobody wants to change the countertops frequently. For most of us, it’s a one-time investment. A factor you should be keeping in mind while selecting the bathroom countertop is how easy it is to clean the material and how long it will give the absolute gleaming look.
Quartz
Quartz is made of natural crushed stone that is manufactured. This makes it relatively maintenance-free. You just need a cleaner that is safe for quartz surfaces. You do not need to seal and polish it every year.
Marble
Marble, on the other hand, is a new ballgame in the maintenance department. We recommend sealing marble countertops at installation and every three to six months after that.
As you have read, it is a porous stone prone to etching and staining. Sealing only protects the marble from staining, and getting it sealed frequently is a pain.
Is marble or Quartz more heat resistant?
Quartz countertops have one drawback they can not resist temperatures above 150 degrees centigrade. In this regard, one must have to be cautious.
Marble has the natural capability to bear extreme temperatures. Marble is heat-resistant and can bear the temperature up to 350 degrees centigrade.
Which will be more costly, Marble or Quartz?
The exact cost for installing both of the stones varies. The price depends on various factors, including your location, the type of selected stone and the layout of your bathroom. But still, there is a noticeable difference between the prices whilst installing quartz vs marble countertops.
Quartz
Quartz countertops are not only solving your other problems but also quite fair on your pocket. The price for Quartz countertops ranges from 50$ to 200$ per square foot.
Marble
Marble countertops along with installation costs around 75$ to 250$ per square foot. Moreover, the countertop material and installation range depend more upon the type of chosen marble.
What Bath and Willow is offering you?
Comparing quartz vs marble countertops shows that both have distinct advantages and disadvantages. There is no clear” best choice”. The right option is based on your lifestyle, budget and aesthetic preferences.
Life doesn’t give you many choices, but Willow Bath and vanity offers options between Marble and Quartz countertops. With each vanity, you can choose the countertop of your desire. We have 10 different countertops, out of which 9 are quartz ones. All the countertops are made of the finest materials and can bring beauty to your life!
