Difference between Granite and Marble: What is the difference between granite and marble? A lot of homeowners often find it hard to decide which to use for their kitchen counters. Granite and marble are both natural stones.
And they both look good on different countertops. Adding more to the confusion is that they each have pros and cons such as degree of hardness, preferred aesthetics, the ability to resist staining or marring, and overall longevity or durability.
What is Granite
Granite is a very hard and nonporous stone. This makes it highly resistant to scratching and staining.
You can cut on a granite counter with a knife and still you will not be able to see a scratch. And since it is nonporous, spilled liquids usually do not leave any stains after they are wiped away.
One effective (though possibly depressing) way to find out the difference between granite and marble is to place a hot pan directly onto your countertop.
If it is pure and natural granite, it will not mar and you will not see any melting or burn marks.
On the other hand, if it leaves burn marks and mars a bit, it is marble. So, you will need to place a trivet underneath the hot pan.
Granite, is naturally resistant to stains from chemicals and other acidic substances.
Both granite and marble counters can chip or crack when exposed to direct high-impact blows from hard or sharp objects.
But with regards to ordinary kitchen use, chipping or cracking is less likely to occur with a granite counter as it is a hard and durable stone.
What is Marble
Meanwhile, marble is a soft and porous stone, as opposed to granite. This makes it susceptible to scratches from sharp objects like knives.
And since it is porous, spills from watery or oily liquids can stain it pretty easily.
This is why a sealer is typically applied to a marble countertop to provide a barrier for various staining factors. A quality sealant should have a life expectancy of 10 to 15 years.
Marble is somewhat heat-resistant but putting direct heat above it may cause discoloration.
Also, spills particular liquids like vinegar, ketchup, mustard, lemon juice, alcohol and acidic or citric items can leave an etch mark on a marble countertop.
This etching is often irreversible and cannot be prevented even with a sealant.
Marble, on the other hand, which is a softer kind of stone than granite, is more prone to chips and cracks brought about by eventual wear and tear as a kitchen counter.
Difference between Granite and Marble
If you need to clean such granite or marble countertop, you need only to wipe them down with a clean, damp cloth.
To remove stubborn food residue, simply add a bit of soapy water to your damp cloth. Do not use bleach, ammonia or other harsh cleaning agents.
As regards to a marble countertop, you need to make sure that the surface is thoroughly dry before you work over it again.
Both stones make for an upscale and luxurious kitchen counter. Should you decide which among these two kinds of marvelous stones to use, you must consider your kitchen lifestyle and family members.
If your lifestyle and family members love experimenting in the kitchen, it would be better to go for the more durable stone; otherwise you can opt for the more affordable marble.
The differences between granite and marble mentioned above should be able to help you choose the right stone for your kitchen counters.
