Cost. Marble and quartz are comparable in cost. Marble countertops cost $100 to $200 per square foot installed. Quartz countertops cost $115 to $200 per square foot installed.
In general, quartz is the more durable of the two materials: it better resists scratches and bacteria and requires less care and maintenance. However, marble does outperform quartz in heat resistance.
Price: Per square-foot, marble is one of the most expensive countertop materials you can buy. It's far more expensive than butcher block, and even pricier than quartz or granite.
Quartz is less expensive than marble, ranging in price from $40-100 per square foot, while marble can range in price from $50-150 per square foot.
Marble countertop slabs are more expensive than quartz, depending on the quality chosen. However, the labor cost for quartz is higher due to the complicated installation. Therefore, the cost difference is not dramatic. Quartz, however, runs slightly less at $55 to $75 per square foot.
Quartz is a better choice than marble or granite for a bathroom vanity countertop. Since quartz is engineered and not a natural stone slab like marble or granite, it's less expensive and more eco-friendly. Unlike marble or granite, quartz is nonporous, making it less susceptible to bacteria and more durable.
Quartz is generally less expensive.
But with the exception of the cheapest granite, quartz is generally less expensive—$70 to $100 per square foot installed compared with granite's price range of $60 to $270 per square foot installed.
Granite is less expensive than marble, starting at roughly $75/square foot installed and $100 more than that for higher-end stone. Installed marble countertops start at around $100/square foot and can go over $200.
Most people love the appearance of quartz, but others say it looks fake and cheap. Bottom line—with quartz, the design options are virtually limitless, but it's difficult to match the truly unique and exotic patterns you get with natural stone.
Hardness and longevity: Granite is comparatively harder and stronger than marble. It is mostly known as the most durable natural stone and compared to marble. It is resistant to heat and can easily withstand hot cookware therefore it is perfect for kitchen tops.
No, you can't use disinfecting wipes on quartz countertops. Disinfecting wipes contain citric acid as their primary ingredient and are not diluted in any way. When you use these wipes to clean your countertop, they will weaken the seal on your countertop's surface leaving them vulnerable to discoloration.
You can use marble in the kitchen, as long as you are prepared to commit a little more diligence when it comes to upkeep, or a perspective shift when it comes to the imperfections caused by daily life. If this is acceptable, then yes, you can have those white marble kitchen countertops that you've always dreamed of.
Quartz countertops are man-made from natural quartz minerals. The manufacturer forms the ground quarts into a slab by mixing in 5-10% resin or other polymers. The result is a hard slab of stone that looks very similar to marble.
Quartz is actually harder than granite and thus, more durable. In fact, quartz is nearly indestructible, and because it isn't porous like granite, it's easy to keep your countertops relatively bacteria-free.
Although you can generally place hot items on a marble countertop without worrying about any major damage, it's best to play it safe. In reality, placing pots and pans directly on marble is more likely to cause scratching than cracking, discoloration or yellowing.
Quartz countertops are made with up to 90% quartz. The rest of the material is pigments and resin. Since the resin can only withstand approximately 150 degrees, placing very hot materials such as a pan directly out of the oven will burn the countertop and cause permanent damage.
Can White Quartz Turn Yellow? Your white quartz, and other lighter colored quartz, can turn yellow over time. This is usually due to the resins in the manufacturing process. They will react to salts and surfactants over time.
Some might notice stains on their white quartz countertop as a result of using the wrong cleaning products. Anything with harsh chemicals, including oil soaps, detergents, paint thinners, and any cleanser containing bleach, could stain or discolor your countertop instead of getting it sparkling clean.
And let's be real, it just looked fake! Quartz countertops are man made. And while they consist of 90% quartz (a natural material), the remainder of the countertop is composed of resins, polymers, and various pigments. Therefore, Quartz is a durable artificial surface without pores or cracks.
Typically, Carrara is the most affordable marble. And although most Carrara is mined in Italy, the beautiful stone is found in China and other countries, too.
Calacatta is widely regarded as the most expensive marble available.
White marble countertops cost between $40 and $200 per square foot. That's just materials, though. The price can get prohibitively high if you are looking for custom shapes, sizes, and colors.
Quartz is scratch-resistant, but not scratch-proof. Remember that although your quartz countertops are incredibly durable, they are not cutting boards. Never cut directly on your countertops to avoid scratching the finish and making the stone more vulnerable to staining.
Clorox, whether it is Clorox wipes or the Multi-Purpose cleaning fluid, is not safe to use for cleaning and disinfecting your granite. The multi-purpose cleaner contains bleach, which is extremely harmful for granite and many other natural stones.
Quartz is less expensive.
Expect to pay $60 to $150 per square foot (installed) for quartz countertops and $70 to $200 per square foot (installed) for quartzite. The price difference is due to the increased complexity of transforming mined quartzite into slabs.