Kitchen Countertops- Marble or Granite?

You know the old saying that kitchens and bathrooms sell houses?

Granite kitchen island by Hughes-Edwards Builders
Granite kitchen island by Hughes-Edwards Builders

Well, we couldn’t agree more. Whether you are making design decisions for a new custom build or remodeling an existing kitchen, choosing the right countertops is a huge decision in the design process. This decision needs to be made for your family and the way you live and use your kitchen while keeping in mind the next family that will be living in your house making it easier to sell when the time comes.

A good rule of thumb is that you should update your kitchen every 10 years. You want to make design decisions that are timeless and not trendy. If the home you are building or own is valued over $250,000 you should consider upgrading to granite or marble countertops. Today’s home buyers in the $250,000 and up price range  in Middle Tennessee EXPECT granite or marble countertops. As a matter of fact, if you don’t have them listed on the MLS, you are going to miss a big percentage of home shoppers.

So how do you decide between granite or marble? Both are natural stone products with variations in color and pattern. Both are heat resistant. Below is a comparison to help you narrow down your options.

GRANITE

granite
Granite
  • Hard/strong resists impacts and scratches
  • When sealed resists acids like tomato juice, lemon juice, soda and vinegar
  • Complex patterns and lots of movement in the design with larger crystals
  • Works for modern and traditional kitchens
  • Wide variety of colors and patterns
  • Wide variety in prices starting about $40 square foot

MARBLE

marble
Marble
  • Soft and easily etched and stained
  • Honed (not polished) marble will show less staining and etching
  • Great for baking, cold surface keeps butter cold for making perfect pastries
  • Available in bright white colors with subtle veining patterns
  • Elegant, classic, luxurious, timeless design
  • Slightly less expensive than most granite choices
As far as maintenance, both granite and marble require sealing about once a year. Deciding which one is right for your new kitchen depends largely on aesthetics. If you are going for a classic timeless design or a country style kitchen, marble is for you. If you like a more modern or transitional look, than granite is for you. Whichever stone you choose you can be confident that the upgrade will be both beautiful for the way you live today and will aid in the resale of your home when it is time to move.
Hughes-Edwards Builders can help with the design, build and remodel of your new kitchen and home. We would love to meet with you to show you examples of the latest in style and function for today’s kitchens. Please fill out the form below to schedule a FREE consultation. [contact-form][contact-field label=’Name’ type=’name’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Email’ type=’email’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Comment’ type=’textarea’ required=’1’/][/contact-form]

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