Marble vs. Granite in the Kitchen (Plus: How to Refinish Marble Countertops and Other Natural Stone)

You’ve heard us talk before about the benefits of natural stone in the home, particularly the visual distinctiveness it offers when compared to synthetic materials. If you are considering natural stone for your new or soon-to-be-renovated kitchen space, marble and granite may be at the top of your list. We encourage you to do your research on the most important factors: particularly price, durability, and aesthetics. We’ve put together a quick overview of what you can expect from marble and granite surfaces, as well as how stone restoration services come into play.

Marble Kitchen Countertops

Marble has always been a popular selection for kitchen counters. It’s elegant, classic, and ages nicely with proper care. Generally, it is also more expensive than granite, but price can vary greatly depending on the type of marble you choose. The main drawback of marble is its susceptibility to scratches, stains, and chipping: since marble is softer and more porous than other types of stone, it is more easily damaged, requiring professional marble restoration care. It may not be the best choice if you have young children, or you need a durable surface for cooking.

Marble Refinishing: What You Need to Know

To prevent highly-visible damage to your marble countertops, make sure to keep your surface dry and wipe up spills immediately. Always use a cutting board for handling food. Cleaning marble at home is fairly simple, but you will want to supplement your regimen with professional stone restoration services. From time to time, investing in marble polishing to refinish marble countertops will help to restore shine and address signs of damage.

Granite Kitchen Countertops

Like marble, granite elevates kitchen spaces and adds great visual interest. While it does not have the same elegant veining that marble does, granite still comes in a variety of colors and textures. Granite tends to be less expensive than marble, and is also more durable. Granite is a harder stone and does not scratch or chip as easily. It’s also more resistant to stains, so there’s no need to agonize over spills.

How to Maintain & Refinish Granite Countertops

Caring for granite countertops is similar to what you would do for marble. As described in our marble maintenance blog, we recommend using a highly diluted ammonia solution to wipe down as needed. We also suggest re-sealing your granite countertops every 1-2 years for best protection. If the sealant wears off, spills and scratches will cause more permanent damage to your counters. If any such damage should occur, contact your local stone restoration experts who are able to refinish granite countertops.

We hope this information is helpful as you evaluate options for natural stone in the kitchen. Should you have any sealing or refinishing needs post-installation, don’t hesitate to give us a call!