If you’re like a lot of homeowners you probably like the look of marble, its veined, fine texture and color selection is beautiful. However, many homeowners do not understand (and/or do not heed) the warnings about the maintenance associated with all marble.
Marble care and maintenance is vital to keeping marble in tiptop condition. Marble is prone to etching because it is made up of calcium carbonate. Calcium carbonate reacts with any acid. When acid such as lemon or tomato juice touches the marble it will eat away pieces of the surface, which in turn creates dull spots or “etches.”
Regular maintenance is needed to protect against etching and staining. Sealing marble regularly is recommended. A telltale sign that marble needs to be re-sealed is water failing to bead up when it touches the marble.
When it comes to hardness on the Moh’s scale, marble is rated 4 out of 10, granite is 6 out of 10, and quartzite is 7 out of 10. The Moh’s scale is a scale of hardness used in classifying minerals. It runs from 1 to 10 using a series of reference minerals, and a position on the scale depends on the ability to scratch minerals rated lower.
If your family isn’t into wiping up spills quickly, using coasters, cutting boards, and treating your kitchen or bathroom countertop like a piece of fine wood finish, then marble probably isn’t the best choice for your home.
If you’re looking for a visually appealing and unique countertop that takes less labor to care for than marble, granite or quartz may be good options.
Granite is a very hard substance that is highly scratch resistant, resists heat, and is highly stain resistant with professionally applied sealant. Quartz is durable, resistant to stains, and doesn’t need to be sealed because it is a non-porous material.
Both quartz and granite come in a variety of colors so you’re sure to find something that suits your taste.
Click here for more on the pros and cons of granite and quartz.
No matter what countertop material you choose be sure to do your research so that you know the maintenance that needs to take place in order to protect your investment and keep your countertop looking like new.
Contact us today or visit our showroom. Our 13,000 square foot showroom has an extensive collection of granite and quartz in kitchen and bath product displays. Finding the perfect countertop choice is easy.
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