Most homeowners who plan to remodel their kitchen and bathroom will have a hard time when it comes to choosing the right countertop material. Indeed, there are hundreds of options out there, but let us narrow it down to two – quartz and cultured marble countertops.
Do you think there is a difference between the two? They may look slightly similar to each other, but they are totally different stones. Their main similarity is that both synthetic stones are a top choice when it comes to countertops.
Today, we are going to outline the pros and cons of each stone countertop for you to weigh things better. Hopefully, when you finished reading this article, you have a clearer mind on which stone would you want for your kitchen and bathroom countertops.
Durability
Cultured Marble Countertops
Custom marble countertops have a much better hardness and durability compared to its natural form of marble stone. This is attributed to the polymer resin binders mixed with its pulverized marble minerals.
In comparison with quartz, this one still has a lower hardness level and would still be scratched or etched. Nevertheless, this fits well already for your kitchen marble countertops.
Quartz Countertops
This synthetic stone has greater durability and strength compared to cultured marble countertops. They do not scratch easily, good heat resistance (still we recommend you to use heat pads), and do not easily react with acidic solutions.
Aesthetics
Cultured Marble Countertops
Custom marble countertops offer an array of colors compared to its natural marble counterpart. Nevertheless, it still has the bolder veinings and color consistency that is parallel to natural marble slabs.
Whether used for small or large surface area, the seams from the best marble countertops are never noticeable at all. It mimics the rich deep colors of natural marble which provide that exquisite appearance in your countertop surface.
Quartz Countertops
Meanwhile, when you want a finer detail and greater consistency with patterns, quartz countertops is the best option. Unlike custom marble countertops, the veinings of quartz are thinner with great emphasis on consistency of color combination.
The main setback of quartz will be its noticeable seams, particularly when used for smaller surface area. Nevertheless, these seams did not decrease the overall beauty and reputation of quartz countertops for home remodeling.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Cultured Marble Countertops
Despite being synthetically made, cultured marble countertops still have its slight porous nature which contributes to its risk of being stained. However, no need to worry as the re-sealing process is simple and straightforward. If you do this correctly, you would still enjoy the elegance of the best marble countertops.
In terms of cleaning, it is similar to that of quartz, where you just need to use a mild dish soap solution and a soft microfiber cloth. Never use an abrasive scrubber or cloth as it can peel off the sealant film covering its pores.
Considering this man-made stone still is composed of marble minerals, you must avoid spills and acidic solutions over its surface. Acidic solutions and spills will react to marble’s chemical compound and cause etching.
Quartz Countertops
Compared to cultured marble countertops, quartz has higher resistance against scratches and cuts. However, you must never rely on this innate durability if you want to keep the premium beauty of this stone.
Similar to custom marble countertops, use a neutral pH soap solution and non-abrasive scrubber to wipe off its surface. Unlike the marble, quartz does not require any annual sealing maintenance because of its non-porous nature.
Further, despite the heat tolerance of quartz, still, it reacts to extremely high temperature creating a dark spot on its surface. In that case, you need to use heat/hot pads when placing hot objects on quartz countertops.
Likewise, this synthetic stone reacts when exposed for long hours under UV rays. The main reason why it is not advisable to have quartz for outdoor countertops as color can fade when exposed long enough with sunlight.
Increasing Resale Value
Both quartz and custom marble countertops create a stunning look for your home remodeling projects. When used properly, these stones can greatly increase the value of your home by 90% to 100% of its cost.
Marble vanity countertop is one of the go-to choices for bathroom renovations. The sleek and glossy appearance of marble creates a terrific modern glow in your bathroom space. Oftentimes, most homeowners would go for white marble countertops when it comes to installing their marble bathroom countertops.
Conclusion
No matter what stone you choose for your remodeling, its original beauty cannot last forever without proper care and maintenance. If you want a seamless and bolder design, custom marble countertops is the right choice. However, if you want a finer detail and consistency with its design, then go for quartz countertops.
If you need any professional assistance for installing quartz or cultured marble countertops, do not hesitate to call Precision Stone Design. We provide a full range of stone countertop services in the area.
Contact us for inquiries, free estimates and appointments or visit us on Yelp anytime.
