Reviewing countertop options: Granite vs. Marble vs. Soapstone

Homeowners often feel overwhelmed about selecting countertops for the kitchen. Kitchen countertops are solid work surfaces, and in most homes, these are used extensively. If you visit a local dealer for solid surface and stone countertops, you are likely to find a number of options, including quartz, which is technically engineered stone. In this post, we are discussing three common natural stone countertop options with pros and cons.

Marble

One of the biggest aspects of marble is its natural beauty. You can find varied colors, and adding marble to your home generally adds value to the property. As a material, marble can withstand heat rather well, and the vein design can actually create uniqueness in every kitchen.

On the flip side, you cannot install marble on your own, and it is a porous stone, which means you will have to be careful about maintenance. Sealing is absolutely necessary, and it is not easy to avoid scratches.

Granite

Talk of the best countertop materials, and you have granite, which fares well on many accounts. Firstly, no two slabs of granite look the same, and it can withstand both heat and pressure really well. Being extremely durable, granite can look the same for at least one or more decades to come, and you don’t have to compromise on color variations either.

Much like marble, granite is expensive, and being a heavy stone, you need to have a strong base underneath to support the installation work. Sealing is required for granite, but maintenance isn’t a big issue as with marble.

Soapstone

Another odd but stunning choice for kitchen countertops is soapstone. It comes in numerous colors and is not prone to staining as much as marble. It can withstand damage well, and maintenance doesn’t have to be complicated.

Soapstone, however, can get darker in shade with time. Countertops must be given mineral oil treatment from time to time.

What’s your best pick?

Natural stones are beautiful but not always uniform. In case you want kitchen countertops to have a balanced and same look, quartz is a better choice. Your interior theme, kitchen design and layout are other aspects to consider before selecting countertop material. Also, find an installation service and material supplier that you can rely on for ideas and products. They can also offer a better insight on why one option is better than others.

Do not compromise on your countertops because the investment must make sense in the long run, at least for a decade to come.

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