There are a number of issues to keep away from when renovating your kitchen, from overlooking crucial cupboard space to forgetting about lighting to failing so as to add ample shops and circuits to accommodate each small and huge home equipment. Nevertheless, there’s another mistake that you simply should not overlook: selecting a countertop materials that you’re going to find yourself regretting. With so many countertop choices on the market, that is sadly a quite common mistake. In the event you’re like many, you may need your choices narrowed all the way down to granite or marble counter tops.

Selecting between these two supplies could appear complicated. Nevertheless, once you step again and take into consideration the traits and properties of every materials and weigh them in opposition to your design, cooking, and way of life targets, you will possible discover that one possibility emerges because the clear winner. That can assist you consider these variations, we reached out to 4 kitchen and design professionals for his or her professional enter. Cathleen Gruver is the lead inside designer with Gruver Cooley; Danny Niemela is an expert contractor and residential remodeler and the co-owner, vice chairman, and CFO at ArDan Development; Diana Melichar is the proprietor at Melichar Architects; and Alice Moszczynski is an inside designer at Planner 5D. Forward, you possibly can be taught extra about what they shared when talking solely with Tasting Desk that can assist you make this all-important determination a bit simpler.

Conserving your funds in thoughts when deciding between granite and marble counter tops could be very useful. “If somebody is working with a tighter funds, granite is normally the higher choose. Whereas each supplies are pure stones and might range in worth relying on the slab, granite tends to be extra inexpensive total,” says Cathleen Gruver. Alternatively, Danny Niemela says, “Marble carries a luxurious tax, plain and easy.” Whereas you will discover some granite choices that value below $100 per sq. foot put in, even the cheaper marble choices begin at $100 per sq. foot — and a few can value greater than $200 per sq. foot. After all, the whole value for both materials will rely upon the scale of your kitchen, however the increased value of marble can actually add up — particularly in giant kitchens.

Whereas granite could also be extra inexpensive than quartz and another supplies, it’s removed from the most affordable possibility in your counter tops. So, as Diana Melichar factors out, “If you’re on a extremely tight funds, pure stone counter tops are more than likely not inside your funds.” Strong floor, tile, or laminate might be a extra budget-friendly alternative in case you’re seeking to hold prices as little as potential.

Whereas there aren’t as many sturdiness variations between granite and quartz counter tops, the identical can’t be stated when evaluating granite and marble. Our specialists agree that granite counter tops are the best way to go once you’re searching for a sturdy materials that may maintain up effectively to all the pieces that is going to be thrown at it in a busy kitchen. “Granite is tougher and extra scratch- and chip-resistant than marble. It is higher for well-used kitchens the place spills, dropped pans, or heavy use are a part of each day life. Marble is softer and extra porous, which makes it susceptible to etching and marking, particularly from acidic meals like lemon juice or tomato sauce,” says Alice Moszczynski.

Diana Melichar helps shed some gentle on why these two pure stones have such differing ranges of sturdiness. She explains, “They’re geologically completely different rocks. Marble is a metamorphic rock (which means it was created by warmth and strain). Marble consists primarily of calcite. Granite is an igneous rock (which means it was created by the gradual cooling of molten stone that types into crystals). Granite consists primarily of quartz, feldspar, and mica.” These variations end in various hardness ranges. Granite has a hardness rating between 6 and seven on the Mohs scale, whereas marble solely has a rating of three.

In the event you’re seeking to restrict the quantity of effort you could put into sustaining your counter tops, all of our specialists agree that granite is a better option than marble. In keeping with Cathleen Gruver, Granite is “extra forgiving with spills, warmth, and normal use, and does not require as a lot repairs.” Danny Niemela shines a highlight on a number of the downsides of marble counter tops. “You spill wine or tomato sauce and don’t wipe quick, marble stains.”

Sealing each supplies can be necessary to guard them in opposition to moisture absorption and stains. Nevertheless, the frequency with which you will must seal them varies drastically. “Marble must be sealed each few months, whereas it is strongly recommended that granite be sealed every year or so,” says Diana Melichar. Whereas sealing pure stone counter tops, reminiscent of granite or marble, is not overly sophisticated, it does take some effort and time. You will must clear off and deep-clean the counter tops, use a solvent, reminiscent of mineral spirits, to do away with any stuck-on messes, and punctiliously unfold the sealant you buy. Doing this every year is far more manageable than attempting to suit it in each few months.

Whereas it could sound like all roads level to granite, there’s extra to contemplate earlier than finalizing your determination. There may be one necessary motive that many — together with Ina Garten — favor marble counter tops within the kitchen. “Marble screams status,” shares Danny Niemela. He continues, “The second you see it, you recognize you’re in a unique league. Its veining is chaotic in a manner that feels intentional and creative. If you would like a jaw-drop second when friends stroll in, that honed marble slab with deep veining does the speaking earlier than you say a phrase.”

While you’re planning a kitchen with white counter tops, you merely cannot beat the look of marble. Past that jaw-dropping look that Niemela describes, Cathleen Gruver shares, “For a basic, elegant, or old-world look, marble is usually the popular alternative. It provides a delicate, natural contact that is exhausting to copy.” Nevertheless, whereas Gruver sees marble because the true luxe materials, she does make one concession. “That stated, a number of the extra unique granites also can really feel very high-end, particularly when paired with the best cabinetry and {hardware},” says Gruver.

If you would like to have the ability to take a sizzling pan off of the range and place it immediately onto the countertop with out worrying, our specialists all agree that there’s one clear alternative. “Granite takes the warmth. Actually! Set a 400-degree Dutch oven on a granite countertop and stroll away. It stays cool,” says Danny Niemela. In keeping with Cathleen Gruver, granite can also be much less susceptible to thermal shock than marble.

Whereas marble can also be heat-resistant, our specialists warning in opposition to inserting a sizzling pan immediately on the floor. “With marble, there’s extra threat of discoloration, so I counsel utilizing trivets or warmth pads simply to be secure,” says Alice Moszczynski. Niemela additionally cautions that placing an excessively sizzling pan on a marble floor additionally runs the chance of dulling the end and even etching the floor.

In the event you’re trying to find the fabric that may ship quite a lot of coloration choices, each marble and granite might be a great choose. After we requested Alice Moszczynski whether or not one could be a greater possibility on this regard than the opposite, she stated, “This one is a tricky name — each have plenty of coloration choices!” Whereas many assume which you can solely buy white granite, the pure stone additionally is available in colours reminiscent of blue, yellow, black, and grey. And, even with marble that has a white base, the veining sample could have numerous colours. The particular mineral deposits decide the colour, which can be grey, beige, black, purple, and extra. Nevertheless, in accordance with Cathleen Gruver, many of those extra distinctive veining colours are solely discovered in additional unique slabs, that are prone to value more cash.

Whereas there are extra coloration choices for marble counter tops than you could have initially thought, you could discover an much more various choice with granite. “Granite sometimes provides extra selection in each coloration and sample, starting from refined and impartial to daring and dramatic. It is mined from many elements of the world and is available in a large spectrum,” says Gruver.

In the event you’re searching for one of the best suggestions for a DIY kitchen transform, one could be to keep away from each marble and granite counter tops, at the very least in case you’re seeking to do all the pieces utterly by yourself. “Each supplies are heavy and would require skilled set up,” explains Alice Moszczynski. Nevertheless, in accordance with our specialists, granite is the simpler — and certain cheaper — of the 2 to put in. That sturdiness we talked about earlier comes into play right here, too. As a result of it’s a tougher stone, the chance of it chipping or cracking is decrease than that of marble.

“Putting in marble is slower, heavier, and fussier. It chips in transit, it cracks simpler, and the sides demand finesse,” Danny Niemela cautions. Even with an expert set up — which you’d definitely need — there is a increased threat that one thing may go fallacious.

Marble and granite are each well-liked countertop supplies. Whereas some individuals prioritize the sturdiness of granite, others are drawn to the luxe look of marble. Subsequently, there is not any one “finest” materials for each kitchen. As a substitute, you will want to contemplate your way of life and priorities when selecting what to have put in in your area. “Marble is the visible romance,” explains Danny Niemela. It could be your best option if you’d like your kitchen to appear like it was torn out of the pages of {a magazine} — stylish and debonair.

Alternatively, granite could be the higher alternative for owners seeking to prioritize performance over the look of luxurious. “Cook dinner lots? Go granite … Have youngsters who deal with counter tops like racetracks? Granite once more,” says Niemela. The forms of meals you are inclined to prepare dinner within the kitchen also can assist to tell your determination. As Alice Moszczynski explains, “Marble is extra porous, so in case you prepare dinner with oils, pink wine, or acidic elements, granite can be extra forgiving.”

As you are evaluating granite and marble, you should not overlook the lighting in your kitchen. Relying on how a lot lighting you’ve got and the place it’s positioned, the counter tops (and total room) could look fairly completely different. “In a darker kitchen, the reflective high quality of marble can brighten issues up. However in case you’re after depth and drama, a richly patterned granite may make extra sense,” says Cathleen Gruver.

That being stated, you possibly can at all times make changes to your lighting that can assist you draw consideration to particular elements of the marble or granite that you simply love. For instance, to maintain the veining patterns of marble counter tops as the point of interest, you will need to place lighting fixtures in order that they illuminate all the floor of the stone. Be purposeful with positioning to make it possible for gadgets do not block the sunshine in such a manner that it ends in too many shadows.

In the event you intend to promote your property within the close to future, you should not rely solely by yourself opinions of marble and granite — although you should not ignore them utterly both. “Each supplies are interesting to consumers, however marble can sign luxurious, whereas granite conveys operate and wonder,” says Cathleen Gruver.

Regardless of the luxurious look that marble can impart on a kitchen, Danny Niemela highlights granite as the higher possibility for guaranteeing a better future resale worth. “Most consumers is not going to know the distinction between mid-tier marble and high-end granite, however they may see stains, chips, and put on. Granite holds up and appears new longer, so if you’re flipping, sturdiness sells.” Alice Moszczynski factors out one further factor to contemplate because it pertains to the best way your kitchen will look a number of years down the street once you’re able to promote. “Some people additionally love how marble patinas over time, it might tackle an enthralling lived-in look. However for many who favor a ‘like new’ end for years, granite’s resilience is a greater match.” 

Because you clearly do not know who your future consumers can be, you possibly can’t probably know which look they’re going to favor. Nevertheless, you may flip extra consumers away with the extra lived-in look of marble than with the lasting, like-new look of granite. It could be the safer alternative because of this as effectively.