Among the many activities that are exercised at home, alterations, terrain changes as well and new designs are considered the most sought-after. At this point, the processes that involve home remodeling, especially the kitchen and the bath centers, require a perfect match of materials such as countertops. In as much as homeowners seek the use of both marble and granite due to their attractiveness, the most prevalent challenge is how to choose which to use. Nevertheless, both materials add class and ensure high longevity, but are they priced the same? Is it true that marble is less expensive than granite? In this write-up, we shall assess the price of a marble countertop, compare it to a granite countertop, and look at the different factors affecting the pricing of these two commodities.
grey marble countertops
Appraising the Cost of Marble
How Much Does Marble Countertop Cost on Average?
In essence, the cost of a slab marble countertop ranges over a wide range depending on the type, quality, and size of the cut marble slab. A marble countertop can cost you between $40 and $100 depending on the prevailing sizes. Special designs of marble such as Calacatta or Statua Boretta Marbles can reach a maximum of $200 per square foot. This price is inclusive of material, labor, and installation, so marble countertop prices are largely related to individual projects.
Marble Countertop Cost Drivers
The following contributing factors define the comprehensive marble countertop: A class of marbles: Some marbles fall in the mid-price range and some are more exotic and therefore expensive.
- The thickness of the Slab: The slabs are thick; the type used for marble kitchen countertop slabs is generally a bit expensive as it involves higher material.
- Finish and Edging: The costs are uplifted with more additional finishes such as polish and honed surfaces and detailed edge working.
- Location: If you look up ‘marble countertop near me’, price fluctuations may be noted due to regional factors and costs incurred during installations.
Marble might be cheaper than some varieties of granite, still, the premium marble will also mean the price goes lost. Well, marble-wrapped countertop covers or pre-fabricated marble countertop kits may put in place the answer for people who do not wish to spend a lot of money on custom designs.
Is granite less expensive compared to marble?
Granite Countertop Prices
In most instances, granite is cheaper than marble, but it is not when one buys a countertop. Generally, granite countertops cost between $30 and $80 per square foot of surface area, and lavish options can cost up to $200 for the same area as that of some marble. The advantage comes in the fact that since granite comes in a myriad of colors and patterns, these homeowners have more economical options.
In most cases, the turf between standard granite and luxury evo-deco marble is granite when it comes to the pocket. Nevertheless, super premium granite with strata is likely to range upwards than the plain marble colors sizeable analog of Carrara.
Milas Lilac Marble countertops
Whip Training Installation and Maintenance Costs
In the case of installing marble and granite, one can find the same cost, but the comparative advantage comes out when one considers maintenance costs since marble calls for extra maintenance. This is because since marble is softer and more porous than granite, it tends to be scratched, stained, and etched more easily than granite, more so in the high usage areas such as the kitchen countertop. Its deficiency glitches in contrast are much less, which means that there are more economical cuts throughout time. However, a marble countertop, if properly treated and sealed, can be of the same life span as granite, and still appear as new and stunning for many years to come.
Material: The Composition of Marble & Granite
Marble Composition and Characteristics
Marble is a metamorphic stone rich in calcite. Marble, the metamorphic rock, is formed as a result of the volcanic heat and pressure applied to the sedimentary rock called limestone. The white marbles that are used in making countertops such as Carrara, Calacatta, and Crema Marfil are usually of great benefit to any homeowner due to their beauty and pattern. Other factors determined that the kitchen is an area of relative chaos and spills and therefore the surfaces made of marble, although durable, should have extra coating protected.
However, covering marble with conventional coatings might be a little troublesome since it will most likely have a lot of spills, especially in the kitchen area. Even though some of these limitations may be placed on it, marble offers transcendent beauty and comfort and is therefore preferred in most opulent settings.
Granite Composition and Durability
Granite is an igneous rock that emerges from volcanic actions, thus making it a petrified rock with more strength than marble. It is primarily a combination of quartz and feldspar, and these constituent materials enhance its toughness. Compared to marble, granite is less porous and, therefore, less prone to stains and scratches thereby suiting application areas where there is high traffic like kitchens.
As for the colorant, granite makes a better choice as more colors and patterns are available than for the other material. Marble might be more popular, but granite does enhance the beauty of the countertops and does have such a modern and stylish touch over the do-it-yourself, type decorating style.
Applications: When to Choose Marble Over Granite
Marble Countertop Kitchens: A Touch of Elegance
To enhance any kitchen decor and style, marble countertops can be used. Particular colors of countertop marble such as Calacatta & Statuario give a marvelous visual appeal to the entire kitchen by creating stunning contrasts with cabinets and machines. Most people would rather use marble, considering its old-fashioned but lovely look.
Despite this positive aspect, marble is known to be quite sensitive to staining, mainly by any food substance that contains acid, including red wine or liquors and citric fruit juice. This is why a kitchen dusted with marble tops needs a lot of care. However, regular sealing and cleaning can make your marble countertops look good for a while but some people would opt out for granite, especially for the reasons of style.
Marble Countertops and Backsplashes Combinations
Etching an exquisite marble countertop and backsplash will improve any kitchen or bathroom design style. The continuity is further enhanced when the counter is topped with a marble backsplash. It makes adding an aesthetic touch to the room easy. This is however more common in contemporary and sophisticated designs.
DIY Kits to Create Marble Top Tables
If looking to spend less or wish to attempt a put-the-plan-together-yourself option, marble countertop kits are to your rescue. These conversion kits are inclusive of pre-fabricated other functional pieces that are affordable and simpler to put up. They are suitable for modest applications such as bathroom units or laundry areas where it may not be necessary to use an entire custom slab.
panda white marble countertops
Costing: The Importance of Thickness and Size
Marble Countertop Thickness
Last but not least, some buyers are often price-sensitive when buying a marble countertop and the thicker slab tends to be higher up the scale. The general rule is that thicker slabs are more expensive compared to thinner slabs due to more material being used. The 2cm/3cm is a standard thickness for most kitchen countertops manufactured the world over. It is often preferred in areas of high human movement, which sometimes includes the kitchen. Thin slabs are more frequently used in installations like backsplash or bathroom vanities while thicker slabs are insisted on different farms.
Marble Countertop Customization
For those individuals, who have an eye for detail and want to make different designs in their kitchens and bathrooms, custom-made marble islands can be installed for every interior. Customers of custom countertops usually expect more than the standard models with possible special edges and surface treatment which increases the cost completely. With these factors also taken into consideration, the beauty and class that come with the custom marble countertop design are very worth the extra costs.
If you want to know about marble countertops near me and if you want to check out different colors of marble countertops, we will be happy to provide you with a slab fabricator for your next project. We have a covering product including marble countertop and marble countertops which is massive to the wide range in the designing of marble tops without exceeding the target amount.
How about the question: is marble less expensive than granite? It is a question that will be answered according to the kind of marble and granite that is being compared. Because most middle-school granite is much cheaper than advanced high-school marble and premium granite features that may not be less than some types of marble.
It is important to keep in mind the maintenance issues, the durability concerns as well as the design preferences of a homeowner while in the process of choosing either a marble or granite top. Custom marble work surfaces may curiously sit at the top of trends, but granite will definitely be a better solution for those parents who need a surface without routine attention to dirt.
The question of marble and granite price comparison has no single answer but rather an elaborate explanation concerning the particular type and the project at hand. In most houses, marble countertops are regarded to be more costly than standard granite ones, although great amounts of such surfaces can give an aesthetic feel that granite rarely has. The cost of a marble countertop varies due to several factors such as the dimension and quality of the slab itself, its thickness, and other embellishments like edges and finishes. If, for example, you are interested in marble countertops near me, or any other type, such as a marble countertop cover, or want to know what colorful options for marble countertops are available – there are tons of such choices.
