Granite vs Quartz vs Marble – A Guide to Major Differences
Mar 17, 2023
Want to learn about granite vs quartz vs marble? Looking for the difference between granite, quartz, and marble?
If so, you are at the right place. This article will bring the key differences between the three natural stones: granite, quartz, and marble.
When building a new home or renovating an existing house, you are probably looking for the best materials for your kitchen & bathroom countertops or flooring. You’ll probably be debating whether granite, marble, or quartz would be ideal for your home.
So, to clear all your doubts and confusion and help you choose the suitable material for your countertops and flooring, we’ve come up with this article. Do read this till the end to know all the major differences between these three natural stones.
Granite vs Quartz vs Marble: What Exactly Are They?
Before we compare these natural stones, let’s describe each to understand them better.
What is Granite?
Granite is an intrusive igneous rock consisting of alkali feldspar, quartz, and plagioclase. This natural stone is formed from magma that slowly cools down and solidifies underground. Granite mainly consists of coarse-grained quartz and feldspars in varying proportions. This is the reason why you see different colors and patterns of granite.
What is Quartz?
Quartz is an igneous rock that mainly consists of silica or silicon dioxide. Impurities, including sodium, lithium, titanium, and potassium, might be present in a minor quantity.
What is Marble?
Marble is a metamorphic rock majorly consisting of calcite or dolomite, which are recrystallized carbonate minerals. This natural stone is commonly used as a building material and for sculpture.
Granite vs Quartz vs Marble: Difference in Durability
This is the primary factor that many homeowners look for when selecting materials for their countertops and flooring.
Granite
Granite is the hardest and one of the most durable natural stones available. You won’t see any scratches on the granite, and it won’t break easily. So, you can consider granite flooring and countertops for your space.
Quartz
When compared to granite and marble, quartz is not a durable material. It can have scratches; if you drop a heavy item on it, you must get it repaired.
Marble
If you consider durability, marble is the material you should avoid getting installed on your floors or countertops. Marble can also scratch, stain, and be prone to damage. But if you are looking for an aesthetically pleasing option, the marble would be an ideal choice.
Granite vs Quartz vs Marble: Difference in Maintenance
Every material needs maintenance, be it granite, marble, or other natural stone. But you want a material that requires little to no maintenance. So, let’s check which materials need low maintenance.
Granite
Granite is considered to be the most durable material but requires a bit of maintenance. To clean granite, you must use gentle, non-scratching, and non-acidic cleansers. You also need to seal the granite every year or two.
Quartz
When it comes to maintenance, quartz is the material that you would want to invest in. This natural stone does not require sealing and can be cleaned with a mixture of warm water and mild dish soap.
Marble
Maintaining marble flooring and countertops is the same as maintaining granite. Marble’s maintenance is on the higher side. This natural stone is vulnerable to acid & abrasive substances and requires sealing multiple times a year.
Difference in Installation
The most challenging part during the installation process of any material is the cutting. You are required to cut holes for the sink, smooth the edges, and perfectly cut slabs for stairs and countertops. So, let’s take a look at the difference between the installation process of granite vs quartz vs marble.
Granite
Granite needs a diamond-tipped blade for cutting; of course, it will produce dust when cut. But granite is much lighter than marble, so you will find it easier to move when you cut the slabs.
Quartz
When you cut quartz, it produces a lot of dust. Cutting quartz is similar to granite, requiring a diamond-tipped blade.
Marble
Marble is much easier to cut than cutting all three natural stones as it is more compact and produces less dust than quartz. However, this material is on the heavier side when it comes to weight.
Granite vs Quartz vs Marble: Difference in Appearance
Now let’s talk about the difference between these natural stones in appearance.
Granite
Granite comes in varying patterns and colors, including Green Granite, Red Granite, White Granite, Black Granite, etc. You won’t find any two slabs similar. Each slab is unique and produces an aesthetically pleasing look for your space. Apart from this, granite comes in various finishes to best suit your style, taste, and budget.
Quartz
Quartz is the kind of material that will complement any home’s interior design style. You will find a range of colors that give a unique look to your space.
Marble
Marble is known for its luxuriousness and exquisite veining. This natural stone becomes even more beautiful with time. With various patterns and colors, including Black Marble Stone, classic White Marble, Green Marble, etc., you won’t find any two slabs similar.
Difference in Cost
This is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing materials for your countertops or flooring. Let’s see which natural stone is cheaper. Note that the cost mentioned below is only the average cost. Prices may vary depending on the location and type of material you choose.
Granite
Granite cost may vary depending on the quality, color, and finish type. The average cost can range from $50 to $200 per square foot.
Quartz
Depending on the quality, quartz can cost you around $40 to $200 per square foot.
Marble
The cost of marble can range from $40 to $300 per square foot, depending on the marble type, size, and grade.
Other Important Differences
Have a look at some of the essential differences between granite vs quartz vs marble that many homeowners ignore.
Granite
The best thing about granite is that it is a sustainable material. When compared with quartz and marble, granite is the most heat-resistant material. This natural stone can withstand temperatures over 500 degrees. You can directly place a hot pan on your polished or leathered granite countertop. But granite absorbs water, so it requires sealing.
Quartz
One advantage of installing quartz is that you will get a water-resistant and sustainable material for your countertops and flooring. Quartz is not a heat-resistant material and should not get hotter than 80 degrees. You should avoid placing hot pans and other hot materials on the surface.
Marble
Marble is another heat-resistant material that can withstand temperatures around 150-160 degrees. But marble has a porous surface, and you need proper sealing of the surface. One great advantage of installing marble countertops and flooring is that this material is sustainable.
Conclusion
So, this was all about granite vs quartz vs marble. We’ve included some major differences that might help you understand all three materials.
