The choice between granite or marble countertops for the kitchen always poses a basis for argument when matters of the kitchen arise.

An average Nigerian spends roughly 3 hours a day in the kitchen. These stats are accurate for people who prepare Nigerian Delicacies, fresh off the burner daily.

If this is the case, there’s every reason to make sure the kitchen is comfortable for carrying out this passion. It is also imperative to have nice features made out of long-lasting materials.

To help you with choosing between granite or marble countertops for your kitchen, it will help to compare them.

What are their characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages? If you know this, you are well on your way to making the right choice as it suits you.

These countertops are both naturally occurring stone materials Yes! But you should take into consideration the following below, before making a choice on either granite or marble countertops for your kitchen.

Consider This Before Choosing A Granite Or Marble Countertop For Your Kitchen

Maintenance

Is there a maintenance culture at home? Your kitchen countertops would encounter a lot of stains most times when in use.

How quickly are you ready to tidy up the kitchen after a meal preparation? This factor when considered, helps you narrow your choice, in the selection of a kitchen countertop.

Lifestyle

Your lifestyle around the kitchen is also a factor to consider before you decide on granite or marble countertops. How often do you cook? Do you cook every day?

When you cook, how do you make use of the countertops? Do you like to use a chopping board or do you prefer the countertop? Think about this and eliminate the options.

Beauty

How much of a pattern or compliment do you want your countertop to add? The aesthetics of the countertop is as important as its functionality. When your countertop complements the interior feel of the space, you just might want to move your bedroom to the kitchen.

Health

Your health should be paramount. There is a high percentage of the occurrence of bacteria in the kitchen. The choice of granite or marble countertops influences this hygiene.

Avoid countertops with grooves as they can hold dirt and lead to bacteria growth if they are not cleaned properly. This is a major reason to avoid tiles.

Durability

If you’re considering a long-term installation, this is the most critical factor to consider. If you want a heavy-duty kitchen at home, choose materials that are heat, scratch, burn, and chip resistant.

Engineered stone countertops are extremely durable, making them ideal for high-traffic kitchens. Granite and marble are also resistant to scratches and heat, but they must be sealed.

Cost

It’s also essential to examine the price range while choosing the best materials to ensure you’re getting the most bang for your buck. You must prioritize your needs over your budget in order to be satisfied with your investment. Natural materials may be difficult to maintain and costly, but they are a hard bargain.

Now that we have listed factors that affect your choice for countertops, see how to make the right choice below.

Tips For Choosing Marble Or Granite Countertops For The Kitchen

When deciding between marble and granite for your kitchen counters, comparing the two might assist you in making an informed decision. Despite the fact that granite and marble are both natural stones, they offer distinct advantages and disadvantages in the kitchen.

Factors such as degree of hardness, chosen aesthetics, stain and mar resistance, and general lifetime and durability will affect them.

Look at these final tips below before making a decision on granite or marble countertops for your kitchen.

Scratch and Stain Resistance

Granite

• Natural granite is a firm non-porous stone that is scratch and stain-resistant. You can cut through stone without damaging the surface. The only drawback is your knives get dull quickly or become damaged.
• Granite has low porosity hence spilt liquids usually leave no streaks after being cleaned.

Marble

• Marble is a softer and porous stone than granite, making it vulnerable to scratches from sharp things like kitchen knives.
• It is also vulnerable to stains from watery or oily substances. A sealer applied to a marble countertop acts as a barrier to liquids, making them less prone to stain the surface.

Heat or Chemical Damage

Granite

• Granite countertops are heat resistant, thus showing no significant changes when exposed to high temperatures (temperatures from the kitchen though, lol). When you set a hot pan directly on a granite countertop, it usually does not leave any signs, such as melting or burn marks.
• It is naturally resistant to chemicals and other acidic substances.

Marble

• Although marble is heat resistant, it is essential to use a trivet underneath a hot pan to avoid surface discolouration. An irreversible etch mark appears on marble when acidic liquid contents are spilt on it.

Cracking or Chipping

All solid surfaces have the potential to chip when in contact with a deft hard blow. Granite and marble being crystalline in nature are not exempted from this effect. However, see below.

Granite

• Granite is highly unlikely to chip under normal everyday kitchen use.

Marble

• Natural marble is a much softer material than granite. It is more prone to chips and cracks under frequent, everyday employment as a kitchen countertop.

Aesthetics and Ease of Maintenance

Granite

• Granite countertops complement upscale living in the kitchen.
• Sealing granite countertops to provide an additional layer of protection is optional.
• Easy to clean with a damp cloth.
• Avoid bleach, ammonia, or other harsh cleaning agents.
• Granite is less expensive and easily affordable.

Marble

• The design bar for building an elite, luxury kitchen is set by marble worktops.
• With a marble kitchen counter, manufacturers strongly recommend that you seal this highly porous material.
• Wipe down marble countertops with a clean, damp cloth for everyday cleaning. It is imperative to also make sure to dry the surface immediately.
• Avoid bleach, ammonia, or other harsh cleaning agents.
• Marble is a more expensive countertop for your kitchen activities.

With these few tips, you would be able to make the right choice for kitchen countertops. Learn to spot the difference between granite and marble sheets as well.

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