What Are the Best Alternatives to Marble Countertops?
Marble countertops are a classic, timeless choice for any kitchen or bathroom. With its beauty and durability, it’s no wonder many homeowners opt for marble countertops.
However, marble has its drawbacks due to its porous nature. Fortunately, there are several alternatives to marble countertops that you must consider if you’re looking to update your home décor without sacrificing quality or aesthetic appeal.
Let’s explore the best alternatives to marble countertops.
Ceramic or Porcelain Countertops
Porcelain, ceramic, and marble countertops offer distinct benefits, making them both suitable options for any kitchen or bathroom. However, porcelain and ceramic countertops are easier to maintain and less prone to damage than marble.
Their impermeability stands up to heat, as well as significantly cutting down on bacteria-causing residue. You can choose a marble effect porcelaine/Dekton if you still want that marbling aesthetic for your kitchen countertop.
Engineered Quartz Countertops
Engineered quartz is one of the most popular alternatives to marble countertops, as it offers both beauty and durability in one package. Quartz is a composite material made up of natural quartz combined with resins and pigments, giving it an array of colors and styles from which to choose.
Because engineered quartz is non-porous, it does not require sealing like natural stone, making it more resistant to staining than marble. Additionally, quartz is much more durable than traditional stone materials like granite or marble and requires very little maintenance.
Granite Countertops
Granite is another option for those who want the look of natural stone but with better durability. Granite also comes in a variety of colors and styles, so you can easily find something that fits your aesthetic tastes while still providing improved durability over marble countertops.
Granite is known for its eye-catching natural beauty, making it a great option for any kitchen design project. It's also relatively heat-resistant, so you don't have to worry about hot pots and pans damaging your counters like you would with other materials, such as laminates or even other types of tiles.
Finding the Right Tiles for Your Kitchen Countertops
No matter what style or material you choose for your kitchen counters, there are plenty of alternatives for those looking for something different from traditional marble countertops. Make sure to pick the right tile for your backsplash. Do not pick a tile marble-imitation for your mosaic.
Engineered quartz offers an unbeatable combination of beauty and durability, while granite allows you to get all the benefits of natural stone without having to worry about staining or maintenance issues.
Whatever material you decide on will depend on your preference. It’s always best to research each one carefully before committing.
Contact us today for further assistance.
Sources:
What Are the Best Alternatives to Marble Countertops? (accentcountertops.com)
What are Some Alternatives to Marble Countertops? | Lesher Marble
Porcelain vs. Marble Countertops | Westchester, NY & Bethel, CT (academy-marble.com)
Why Granite Countertops Will Always Be ‘In’
When you are updating your kitchen, you are investing a lot of money into the process. You will want materials that will last for a long time to come and never go out of style. The good news is that granite countertops will not look dated down the road. The material is relatively natural, and that means it will always be “in.”
Avoiding a Dated Look
The colors in granite came together without the intervention of humans. Of course, some patterns and colors will be more prevalent depending on the time, but the material won’t be out of style later.
That is also true when it comes to wood. For instance, oak cabinets might not be in right now, but oak itself is not necessarily dated. Instead, the cabinets might look dated because of the finish or door style.
What all this means is you might want to pick a timeless sort of granite. So, what does that mean?
The Selection Available with Granite
Some colors are relatively popular, but specific granite shades can only be found in lower amounts. That means that at some point, the granite you can find today will have become quarried out. That means you can’t find it anymore, and you can’t repeat the design.
Next time, the quarry might find a different location, resulting in different colors. Think of picking your counters as picking art that only comes in specific editions. You might choose to redecorate your room around the granite instead of choosing granite that matches the rest of the room, especially if you choose a more popular color. Think of ways to update the room’s look later. For example, many paint colors might go with a specific shade of the stone.
Boosting Your Home’s Value
Because granite is always going to be in, the countertops might boost the value of your house. You can get an extremely high return on the investment. In fact, you could get back as much as you paid for the stone.
For example, suppose you a buyer is looking at similar homes, and only one has granite. In that case, the counters could make a difference in their selection, as well as how much they are willing to pay for the home.
A Long-Term Investment
You will enjoy granite counters for a long time to come. That’s because they last much longer than wood or laminate countertops do. Plus, you don’t have to do that much maintenance to keep them looking great. Over the long term, you can expect granite counters to be a more cost-effective method of ensuring your home’s value. Plus, they are easy to keep clean.
Closing Thoughts
When it comes to picking materials for your kitchen renovation, you’ll want to choose something like granite. That way, you can avoid your kitchen design becoming dated. This material will help the room remain beautiful, even as the trends change.
Sources:
https://www.marbleandgranite.com/blog/2015/september-2015/why-granite-is-still-(counter)-tops
https://modernize.com/homeowner-resources/kitchen/top-5-reasons-granite-popular-countertop
Color Suggestions for Quartz Kitchen Countertops
Quartz is the number one choice for kitchen countertops – and here’s why: the nonporous surface of quartz makes it resistant to stains and it’s easy to keep clean and maintain. Because it’s carefully manufactured and engineered, quartz is available in a huge variety of styles and colors. What you see when choosing quartz for your countertops is exactly the pattern that your countertop is going to be.
Color Suggestions for Quartz Kitchen Countertops
Quartz is the number one choice for kitchen countertops – and here’s why: the nonporous surface of quartz makes it resistant to stains and it’s easy to keep clean and maintain. Because it’s carefully manufactured and engineered, quartz is available in a huge variety of styles and colors. What you see when choosing quartz for your countertops is exactly the pattern that your countertop is going to be.
With so many options, finding the right quartz for your kitchen can be overwhelming. The versatility of so many different colors and patterns lets you create a unique look for your kitchen that’s really one of a kind. Here are some of the top color suggestions for quartz kitchen countertops:
Soft Veined Off-White Quartz
Always one of the leading choices for countertop finishes is off-white quartz that’s softly veined or flecked. This color option is good for smaller kitchens and has a natural liveliness and richness that works well when you’re looking for a fresh and contemporary style. The flecks and veins in off-white quartz are a better option than a true white countertop that can sometimes be too harsh and severe in a room that should be warm and inviting. Off-white always gives a room that feeling of sophistication, blending well with both light and dark cabinetry. Other benefits for choosing soft white quartz is that it doesn’t show every mote of dirt and dust.
Dark Quartz
Dark and black quartz countertops are ideal if you have dark floors, dark cabinetry, and other finishes that are rich and dark. A dark countertop needs a lot of lighting to give it a sophisticated look – either natural lighting from windows or ample lighting from fixtures. If you’re looking for a softer look, choose a dark gray or medium charcoal over a pure black.
The deep richness of a dark quartz countertop brings out the subtle and warm colors of wooden kitchen cupboards, allowing you to choose other understated colors for tile backsplash or kitchen flooring. Another reason to choose dark quartz for countertops is if you have other dark or black elements in the kitchen and you want to connect the entire look together, such as if you have black appliances.
One thing to keep in mind when choosing dark quartz for countertops is that the dark and homogenous color of very dark grey and pure black are more difficult to maintain. These deep colors can show oil marks and fingerprints that are hard to get rid of. A dark granite will always look cleaner than dark quartz because of this deepness in color.
Bold Veined Quartz
A new trend for 2019 is to choose quartz that has big, bold veins. In this case your countertop is usually the focal point of your kitchen, so there will be fewer daring colors used elsewhere.
Choose quartz that has unique veins and pair them with dark, vibrant cabinets. For example, a light gray quartz with bold charcoal veins looks exceptional with dark brown or black cabinets, adding a lot of lively atmosphere to the kitchen.
Blue-Gray Veined Quartz
Don’t forget white quartz that has the striking addition of blue-gray veins. The final finish is much like an elegant marble, turning your kitchen into a bright, cozy room. Blue-gray quartz goes well with warm brown or cream colored cabinets.
Are you still feeling overwhelmed about choosing the right color of quartz countertop for your kitchen? Consult with professionals such as Granite Au Sommet who know what quartz is all about and who can advise you on the best choices for your renovation or new kitchen.