Kitchen worktops of any material are key fundamental parts of a home, a lot of time is spent preparing food and dining on them. Think about it, a kitchen worktop does not only influence the way your overall kitchen looks, but it also impacts the way you use it too. Subsequently, ensuring you get the right material for your needs and budget are equally important too.
Today, we are going to look at three popular stone worktops – Quartz, Granite and Marble. We’ve created advantages and disadvantages of all three to assist you in making a decision on what stone worktop you may want to consider to purchase for your home.
Remember, it is the advantages and disadvantages you want to pay close attention to as these will ultimately be what your choice will come down to – whether one outweighs the other. Keep an open mind though that there are pros and cons for each worktop and not one choice will be perfect for you and your requirements, the key here is to determine which points you are willing to compromise on!
Although quartz worktops contain some natural elements, they are a manufactured stone, meaning that a quartz worktop is manmade. The worktop is in essence a combination of natural stone (quartz dust particles) and a mix of resin and polymers. It is this mixture that creates a very durable, heavy-duty material that looks fantastic and functions equally as good as it looks. Quartz worktops are becoming increasingly popular in homes all around the UK. So, let’s dive right into the pros and cons of quartz as a kitchen worktop.
Pros:
• Extremely strong and durable
• Can easily be maintained
• Does not chip, crack or stain too easily
• Reduces bacterial risk
Cons:
• Tremendously heavy in weight
• Less heat resistant versus other stones
• May not be recommended to be used for large worktop areas
Quartz worktop colours – https://sharpstonegranite.co.uk/quartz-worktops/#colours
Granite as a stone is very hard-wearing, it is recognised by its classic grainy appearance. As a kitchen worktop, it is very durable, though requires some sealant maintenance using a professional throughout its lifespan – this is to ensure it remains scratch and stain resistant. Let us now go over what we know to be the pros and cons of granite worktops.
Pros:
• Very strong and durable
• Scratch and scratch resistant
• Heat resistance properties
Cons:
• Too heavy for some cabinets
• Prone to chipping around the edges
• Requires professional sealing to remain porous-free
Granite worktop colours – https://sharpstonegranite.co.uk/granite-worktops/#colours
Marble worktops shout elegance and glamour, known to be used by the rich and famous in their homes. Let’s face it, if you have seen a marble worktop in the flesh then you cannot deny that they are nothing short of stunning. This unbelievable stone is derived from limestone and mined all around the world.
Marble is renowned for its gorgeous natural veins that run through its entirety, no two marble worktop slabs look identical to one another. Depending on where you purchase your marble worktop, it can be a viable option if it falls into your budget, just keep in mind that it is going to be more expensive when compared to the other two stone worktops we are comparing it to, quartz and granite. Okay, so let’s jump right into the last pros and cons list.
Pros:
• Ideal for bakers due to being super heat resistant
• No two slabs will look the same
• Could fit within your budget depending on the type of marble
Cons:
• Less durable than quartz
• Known to stain easily when exposed to acids
• More expensive compared to quartz and granite
Marble worktop colours – https://sharpstonegranite.co.uk/marble-worktops/#colours
So, there you have it, those were our key differences between all three worktops – all are great options but one will certainly be a favourite of your versus the other two. Now it comes down to asking yourself some questions. What is it you are seeking most from a stone worktop? If you would like a worktop that offers maintenance-free qualities then you should highly consider opting for a quartz worktop, a granite worktop is more than likely not for you.
If you have a tight budget and have allocated costings to other areas of your new kitchen, then quartz would be more favourable than marble. Looking at this from a different perspective, would you like to increase the value of your home? Granite and marble are perfect choices for that. Want the best money can buy? Then look no further than marble, you will have luxury and glamour screaming at you every single day – who doesn’t want that!
Ultimately, when it comes down to it and making a final choice, you really need to keep your budget at the forefront and then work your way through our list of advantages and disadvantages. After doing so, what points can you live with and more importantly, what points will not cut it for you?
To get further help, simply get in touch with us here at Sharpstone Granite and we will guide you in more detail about each stone and assist you with making a decision that’s right for you.
Telephone:
01279 729527
Showroom Address:
Sharpstone
The Test Site, Matching Hall Farm
Harlow, Essex, CM17 0RR
Showroom Opening Times:
Mon – Fri: 7am to 5pm
Sat: 9am to 5pm
Sun: Closed (open to pre-booked appointments only).
