It creates contrast, adds texture and color, and brings warmth—there are plenty of reasons you should incorporate natural stone in interior design, and there are plenty of options to choose from. On top of these options are quartz, marble, and granite; these natural stones unite in several characteristics but vary in many.
This variety creates versatility and helps designers and homeowners go for more tailored and customized choices. Which one should you use for wall cladding, kitchen countertops, or flooring? To know your best fit, you must understand the difference between these three.
Courtesy of the Decorative Surfaces
What is Granite Stone?
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Granite is a type of rock. It’s an igneous rock, which means it’s made of magma from deep within the Earth. It contains various minerals, including quartz, feldspar, and plagioclase.
Granite is probably the most famous rock found on Earth’s surface, and it is used to build various products that we come into contact with daily. Countertops, floor tiles, paving stones, curbing, stair treads, building veneer, and grave monuments can all be made from it.
What is Quartz Stone?
Courtesy of Mother Earth
Quartz is a complex, crystalline mineral composed of silica. After being mined, the quartz is crushed and combined with resin to form a solid surface. With quartz artifacts dating back to 800-600 BC, the process is fascinating and has been relied on for almost 2000 years. One of the first things manufactured with quartz was jewelry.
What is Marble Stone?
Courtesy of DelightFULL
Marble is a metamorphic rock, which means it has changed over time, suggesting it evolved from another rock over millions of years. The parent rock, in the case of marble, was limestone.
As one of the most durable and elegant natural stones, marble is used widely in construction. For homes and structures, marble is utilized as a decorative material. It is also used for walls, floors, roofs, and other sheathings.
Granite vs. Marble vs. Quartz
When it comes to decision-making in terms of materials, everyone’s priorities change according to several factors, including budget, resistance, and aesthetics. To make it easier for you to make a decision, Arch2O has broken these factors into points you can surf through and compare the three styles.
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Cost
Cost is always the first thing we take into consideration when we are about to buy something. The beauty of natural stone lies in its variety—you can get the quality you want on your budget. According to the most recent information, the costs of each of the natural stones, in comparison, reached the following by the end of 2021. Note that the higher the price, the higher the stone’s quality.
Granite: $40 to $60 per square foot
Marble: $40 to $200 per square foot
Quartz: $50 to $150 per square foot
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Durability
Natural stone is often incorporated in practical uses, like wall tiling, flooring, and most probably countertops—all these functions are high traffic, so durability is critical.
Granite:
Granite is a long-lasting material that can withstand heat and other kitchen conditions. However, because of its porous nature, spilled liquids can stain the surface, and a high-impact hit to the counter might cause damage.
Marble:
Marble is a very long-lasting material. It is nearly impossible to shatter due to its extreme durability. While it is prone to scratching, there are several steps you can take to ensure that this material looks brand new at all times.
Quartz:
Quartz is well renowned for its strength properties. It is a highly durable substance that is also heat resistant. Moreover, It has a non-porous quality that makes cleaning effortless.
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Sustainability
With the world suffering the consequences of previous decisions that did not consider sustainability, there is no other choice but to be sustainable and conserve the environment. Material sustainability differs according to several factors, including extraction, manufacturing, availability, etc.
Granite:
Granite is made up of quartz. The majority of enterprises mine it without causing harm to the environment. Granite is just as long-lasting as quartz.
Marble:
Marble is also a long-lasting material. It doesn’t last as long as quartz, but it’s all-natural. Quartz is more environmentally friendly than marble. However, marble is still friendly to the environment.
Quartz:
Quartz is a green material featuring a long lifespan and the ability to be recycled. Due to these features, it is also one of the most environmentally friendly countertop materials.
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Water Resistance
Since natural stones are primarily used in bathroom settings and countertops, water resistance should be considered.
Granite:
Granite countertops should be sealed. Water will enter the pores of granite countertops if they are not sealed. Liquids rarely cause difficulties when the material is sealed correctly.
Marble:
Due to its porous surface, marble is ready to absorb any liquid spilled on it. You’ll have to be careful not to spill anything on it, and you’ll need to seal the counters with a water-resistant protective covering.
Quartz:
Quartz is a water-resistant stone. This is because it is composed of resin. Hence it does not need to be sealed.
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Cutting and Installation
If you can install one type of stone countertop, you should be able to install the others without difficulty. The distinction lies in the way the material is cut. The time it takes to cut holes for the sink and smooth down the sides varies. Let’s look at how to install each type of countertop in more detail.
Granite:
Granite is similar to quartz in terms of cutting. Granite should be cut wet with a diamond blade, just like the other two. Marble, on the other hand, is significantly heavier and more difficult to transport.
Marble:
Because marble is more compact than quartz, it is easier to cut and heavier. Cut wet, like quartz, and take your time. After halfway through, there is less dust, and it cooperates with you.
Quartz:
When quartz is cut, it produces a lot of dust. This is important to remember because you should be wearing goggles and a mask. Please use a wet saw equipped with a diamond plate and be prepared to polish it.
