Granite vs. Marble or could Dolomite and Quartzite be right for you?
Synonymous with luxury, beautiful natural stone is a classic countertop that elevates any home’s style. When choosing between granite, marble, dolomite, or quartzite it’s important to understand the key differences. To help you choose the material that's right for you —consider how you will use it and the amount of upkeep required.
GRANITE
Granite’s physical appearance differs from marble and offers a variety of speckled colors. The variation of color comes from melded stone within the granite.
Durability: Known for its resistance to crack and chips, granite is the more durable option. While marble is also a strong material, it is softer making it prone to chipping and scratching. Along with being softer, marble is porous and more susceptible to stains.
Pricing: In general granite can be the more affordable option of these four stones with a price range of anywhere from $5 to $50 a square foot. The price really depends on the particular piece. however, you will save on fabrication costs because it is the easier stone to work with.
More pictures of this granite countertop in West Construction custom built home in Scottsdale, Az. HERE
MARBLE
Marble, often found in lighter grey or cream colors, differs from granite and has dark lines or veins formed by mineral impurities.
While marble is a strong material, it is a softer stone, making it prone to chipping and scratching. Along with being softer, marble is porous and more susceptible to stains.
And for the same reason when fabricating it is easier to cut but more delicate and can break and chip. Pricewise, it’s commonly known to be expensive however that isn’t necessarily the case anymore. dolomite and quartzite can cost every bit as much as marble.
Now if you are looking for something more durable than marble and don’t like the look of granite consider dolomite or quartzite. Both are equally as beautiful as marble.
DOLOMITE
Dolomite has stunning hues of gray and white that resemble marble so closely sometimes they are mistaken for each other.
Dolomite is a sedimentary rock made from limestone and lime mud that come in contact with groundwater that contains magnesium. It's not as hard quartzite but it will outperform marble in durability and like marble will require regular sealing.
The fabrication on dolomite and quartzite are going to cost more because they cut slower and that takes longer. That extra time and cost can add up, so keep that in mind when picking out your surface. The more of the stone you are looking at installing, the more that becomes a factor.
See more pictures using dolomite in West Construction’s Arcadia kitchen remodel in Phoenix, AZ. HERE
QUARTZITE
Quartzite is also white and gray but can also have shades of colors like red, blue, orange or yellow depending on exposure to other minerals and iron oxide. Quartzite starts out as pure quartz sandstone and due to heat, pressure and compression becomes a hard, metamorphic rock.
Quartzite is probably the hardest and most durable of these countertop options and requires little maintenance.
To see a project with a quartzite countertop island look at this remodel we did at a Gainy Ranch home in Scottsdale.
FINAL THOUGHTS
When thinking of price of these stones and how much the pricing can vary -consider it in the context of an allocated resource. How much of it is in existence? How unique is the formation of the stone and where and how far did it travel? The more unique, the scarcer the supply and the further in distance— the higher the price. This makes it difficult to define the pricing between dolomite, quartzite, marble and granite.
All-natural stone countertops are a unique piece of artwork with each slab varying in their speckling or veins. The look of marble, granite, quartzite, or dolomite provide a beautiful addition to any space in your home.
Did you ever wonder how granite and marble are extracted? Watch this fascinating video!
To start building your custom kitchen, or to learn more about options, contact us .
