Appearance

Marble countertops are part of the definition of luxury in a home. They are made from raw, natural marble that has been quarried, sliced, water blasted, buffed, and polished into the shining slabs available in countertop distributors’ showrooms. Quartz countertops, on the other hand, are manmade. They are composed of ground natural quartz with polymers, resins, and pigments, at a ratio of anywhere from 93 to 97 percent quartz to 7 to 3 percent synthetic materials. This combination gives them a clean, polished appearance.

If you are looking for elegance and stately beauty, marble with its natural color and veining is hard to beat. However, some of the more expensive quartz designs mimic natural marble. The main difference in appearance is the consistency of color and pattern. Since quartz is manufactured, each slab will be the color, texture, and pattern seen in the showroom sample. Marble is not as easy to choose. Each piece must be selected individually, and one slab will not exactly match another if you need more than one piece for your space.

Both marble and quartz may alter in appearance over time. Marble tends to darken slightly with age. With quartz, the enemy is the sun. UV radiation will cause the resins and polymers to yellow over time, so a quartz countertop should always be protected from direct sunlight.

Costs

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.

Marble costs approximately $60 to $100 per square foot. For kitchen cabinets measuring 30 square feet, the cost for the marble countertops would be about $1,800. Installing them would take just over 5 hours and cost about $312. Adding other factors such as a sink cutout at $100 and finished edging at $10 per linear foot, the total for the project will be approximately $3,800 to $5,000

Quartz, however, runs slightly less at $55 to $75 per square foot. For kitchen cabinets measuring 30 square feet, the cost for the quartz countertops would be about $1,800. Installing them would take 5.5 hours and cost about $360. Adding other factors such as a sink cutout at $100 and finished edging at $10 per linear foot, the total for the project will be approximately $3,760.

Durability

Marble is not as durable as quartz in everyday use. It is porous, more so than other natural stone countertops, and acidic substances will leave a stain if not cleaned up quickly. Wine will also stain marble if not immediately removed. However, you should not use just any chemical cleaner on marble. Some chemicals will damage the finish. Always check the label to see if a substance is meant for use with marble. Also, marble needs to be professionally sealed after installation and resealed periodically afterward.

Quartz, on the other hand, is non-porous and stain resistant. It can be cleaned with warm water and soap and never needs sealing.

Marble is also softer than quartz and etches with use. Etching is the colorless watermark left on marble with everyday use in the kitchen or bath, especially around a sink or tub. These marks can be removed with warm water and a soft cloth or with a cleanser recommended for marble. Quartz, with its very hard surface, will not show etching or scratches with everyday use.

If they are properly maintained, either of these hard surface countertops can last the lifetime of the home. The marble is more likely to show its years, however, since it is not as stain resistant and scratch resistant as the quartz.

Outdoors

Neither marble nor quartz is a good option for outdoor use. Marble’s porous nature and its tendency to show stains and watermarks make it a poor choice. Quartz is susceptible to yellowing when exposed to direct sunlight, and this makes it undesirable for outdoor living as well.