Quartz and marble are two common decorative materials and have been widely used on countertops, floors,walls,etc.. They differ significantly in terms of composition, physical properties, appearance and cost. In this article,we’re going to discover detailed comparison of them. Understanding these key differences will help you decide which material is better suited to your needs.
Quartz vs. Marble: Composition
Quartz countertops are synthetic stone products made of natural quartz chips mixed with resins. Precisely,it’s 90% to 95% minerals but up to 5 to 10 percent resins and color pigments. Quartz countertops are not slabs of quarried stone.
Marble are 100% natural stone. It’s formed by high-temperature and high-pressure metamorphism of limestone or dolomite, its main component is calcium carbonate. Marble countertop are produced from purely natural stone that comes directly from stone quarries and then processed to slabs (normally 18mm), polished, and fabricated into countertops.
Appearance
Quartz countertops, as an engineered product, are more uniform in appearance than marble countertops. Many colors and unique patterns are available. Quartz is usually engineered to resemble veins of natural stone or pure colors.
Marble countertops look unique. It is said that no two pieces of marble in the world are exactly alike.Every marble slab is slightly different in veins and color. Since marble is natural stone,color differences and natural defects are relatively common.
Physical Properties
As we could see from table below that quartz come with high hardness,low-maintenance,excellent stain-resistance and shock-resistance.It is relatively durable and affordable.
For those who pursue natural texture and are willing to maintain it regularly and has adequate budget, marble is the best choice.
| Features | Marble | Quartz |
| Hardness | Low (Mohs hardness 3-4), easily scratched | High (Mohs hardness 7), scratch-resistant and wear-resistant |
| Acid-resistance | Poor (carbonate calcium corrodes when exposed to acid) | Excellent (resin protection, resistant to everyday acids and alkalis) |
| Stain-resistance | Porous structure, requires regular sealing to prevent penetration | Dense and non-porous, highly resistant to stains |
| Heat-resistance | Good (but sudden changes in temperature may cause cracking) | Normal |
| Resilience | High brittleness, prone to cracking | High Resilience,good shock resistance |
Cost
There is a significant price difference between marble and quartz. The scarcity, non-renewability, and unique patterns of natural marble result in its price generally higher than that of quartz.
For common varieties e.g. Volakas from Greece,price is similar to that of patterned quartz.But for high-end varieties e.g.italian luxury Calacatta marble,it could be 3-5 times more expensive.
Maintenance
Quartz countertop only needs to be wiped with soft cloth & clean water on a daily basis or mild cleanser when needed, making it easy to maintain.
Marble needs to be sealed regularly (once a year) and should not be cleaned with acidic cleanser.
FAQ
1.Does marble countertop emit radiation?
There is little or no radon coming from either marble or quartz countertops.It barely has bad effect on health. The actual harm is far less than that caused by common factors such as smoking and air pollution.
2.What’s the recommended thickness for marble & quartz countertop?
For countertops, thicker is definitely better.But the thicker it is, the more expensive it is.
Common thickness for marble and quartz slab is usually 18mm or 20mm.If you want it to look thicker or come with stylish edges,usually thickened edges are made instead of thickening the entire slab. Edge thickness and styles could be customized.Here is an example of custom countertop produced by TBM.
3.What’s the color options for quartz countertop?
Quartz countertop are versatile in colors.There are generally two types: solid color and patterned.The quartz particles in solid colors are of different size,which will result in different visual effects.
The following is only a partial color chart,there are more than 100+ colors available.Please contact us for Complete Color Chart or Free Sample.
Whether you are renovating your home or replacing kitchen countertop,please feel free to contact us for detailed Solutions,quick Estimates or free Sample.
