granite vs marble vs quartz vs others
1. How do the Various Stones Compare in Price?
Every natural stone has its own price. There are some very inexpensive granites and marbles and some very expensive granites and marbles. About 90% of granites and marbles cost between $10 and $26 per square foot. Some are less and some are more. Most limestones and travertines are in the lower half of that price range. Most quartz products are around the $17 to $29 range. Quartzites, as a class, are the most expensive. Most are over $40 per square foot.
2. What is Granite?
Granite is among the most durable countertop materials. It is heat-resistant, scratch-resistant, and stain-resistant. Granite comes in a wide array of colors and patterns to choose from. Each granite has a different combination of minerals that contribute to its unique appearance. There are hundreds of varieties of granite from all over the world – over 600 varieties from Brazil alone. Granite is formed from magma (liquid rock) that cooled before it reached the surface.
3. What is Marble?
Marble is mainly used in bathrooms rather than kitchens. It is often used for bathroom countertops, tub decks and shower surrounds. Compared to granite, marble scratches more easily and, even if well-sealed, may stain. Acids like lemon juice or tomato juice will chemically react to marble and damage the finish. Marble is a sedimentary stone composed of calcium carbonate that has been heated and compressed.
4. What is Quartz?
Quartz is similar to granite in durability, but not quite as heat resistant. It’s man-made from chipped and powdered quartz. Most quartz varieties have a “mellow” and consistent appearance. Some quartz varieties look very much like the most popular marbles, but without the durability issues marble has.
5. Is Quartzite the Same as Quartz?
They’re very different from each other. Quartzite is 100% natural. Most quartzites are as durable and heat resistant as granite, but a few are scratchable.
6. How About Limestone and Travertine?
Most marbles are harder than most limestones. Travertine is usually the softest of the three. Like marble, limestone and travertine are sedimentary calcium carbonates.
Every natural stone has its own price. There are some very inexpensive granites and marbles and some very expensive granites and marbles. About 90% of granites and marbles cost between $10 and $26 per square foot. Some are less and some are more. Most limestones and travertines are in the lower half of that price range. Most quartz products are around the $17 to $29 range. Quartzites, as a class, are the most expensive. Most are over $40 per square foot.
2. What is Granite?
Granite is among the most durable countertop materials. It is heat-resistant, scratch-resistant, and stain-resistant. Granite comes in a wide array of colors and patterns to choose from. Each granite has a different combination of minerals that contribute to its unique appearance. There are hundreds of varieties of granite from all over the world – over 600 varieties from Brazil alone. Granite is formed from magma (liquid rock) that cooled before it reached the surface.
3. What is Marble?
Marble is mainly used in bathrooms rather than kitchens. It is often used for bathroom countertops, tub decks and shower surrounds. Compared to granite, marble scratches more easily and, even if well-sealed, may stain. Acids like lemon juice or tomato juice will chemically react to marble and damage the finish. Marble is a sedimentary stone composed of calcium carbonate that has been heated and compressed.
4. What is Quartz?
Quartz is similar to granite in durability, but not quite as heat resistant. It’s man-made from chipped and powdered quartz. Most quartz varieties have a “mellow” and consistent appearance. Some quartz varieties look very much like the most popular marbles, but without the durability issues marble has.
5. Is Quartzite the Same as Quartz?
They’re very different from each other. Quartzite is 100% natural. Most quartzites are as durable and heat resistant as granite, but a few are scratchable.
6. How About Limestone and Travertine?
Most marbles are harder than most limestones. Travertine is usually the softest of the three. Like marble, limestone and travertine are sedimentary calcium carbonates.