Marble VS Quartz Bathroom Vanity Top Showdown
Bathroom Vanity Top Pros & Cons Marble & Quartz
Choosing your bathroom vanity top is one of the most important decisions you'll make when designing and remodeling a bathroom. There's a lot to consider. You need to think about functionality, looks, maintenance, cost, and a host of other considerations before making a decision.
When it comes to countertop materials in the bathroom, two of the most popular are quartz and marble bathroom vanity tops. In this post, we will explore the pros and cons of these popular countertop materials, including maintenance, durability, and design.
The Pros and Cons of a Marble Bathroom Vanity Top
Marble is a classic material that has been used for centuries and brings a touch of luxury in every setting. It is praised for its beauty and was the material of choice for sculptors and architects alike for eons.
The Pros:
Today, marble is one of the most popular bathroom countertop materials all over the world. The bathroom countertop is not only a functional surface, but it also is decorative, setting the tone for your design. The right bathroom vanity top will exhibit a balance between durability and aesthetics. Marble is a classic material that is versatile enough to look good in any style of bathroom.
The stone comes in a range of colors, from the beautiful creamy white and gray veining of Cararra marble to rose, yellow, green, grat, and more. The beauty of any natural stone, including marble, is that no two slabs are exactly alike. That means you will get a unique bathroom vanity top every time.
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Your bathroom vanity top has to perform in a relatively harsh environment. Marble can stand up to continuous water coming from a shower, bathroom cleaning products, makeup, chemicals, soaps, shampoos, and more. It's durable and can withstand daily wear and tear. Marble is also heat resistant which means your curling iron won't harm marble countertops.
The Cons:
Marble is a durable material, but it is porous so it absorbs liquids relatively quickly if it is not periodically sealed. That means it is prone to staining. Because it is calcium carbonate, it reacts with an acidic liquid like makeup chemicals that can dissolve particles of the stone. The process is called etching, and it may be the biggest drawback to marble countertops. The surface can easily watermark if it is not regularly re-sealed.
Marble requires more maintenance than many countertop choices. It stains easily, needs special cleaners, and needs to re-sealed regularly. However, sealer does not prevent marble from absorbing liquids. It simply slows the process giving you a little more time to clean up spills. Anything spilled must be wiped up as soon as possible.
Marble is available in many colors. The most common is white with veins of gray, black, and gold. However, the colors can vary widely from slab to slab and quarry to quarry. If there are seams on the surface, they will be noticeable because of the inconsistency in the natural veining. If, for example, you are planning marble counters in the kitchen and would like a matching bathroom vanity top, you may need more than a single slab. For the best results, they will need to be from the same quarry to maintain color consistency.
The Pros and Cons of Quartz Vanity Tops
Quartz is a newer material that is a man-made product. It is engineered and manufactured by a fabricator and consists of about 95% quartz mineral with 5% resin, which consists of polymer resins and pigments. Natural quartz is the second most common mineral on earth. It has a Moh's hardness rating of 7, which means it can handle almost anything! Because it is a man-made material, quartz is available in many colors, patterns, and finishes. Modern manufacturing techniques can now produce very natural-looking patterns, including marble.
The Pros:
One of the significant benefits of quartz is its durability. Quartz is an incredibly tough material that can stand up to the stresses of daily use with little to no maintenance. The resins used in the manufacturing process make quartz vanity tops non-porous, so it is essentially stain-proof, and it never needs sealing.
Quartz bathroom vanity tops are heat and scratch-resistant and easy to clean without the need for chemicals or special cleaners. If you seek consistency in the look and color of your countertops, look no further than quartz.
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Because it is an engineered product, quartz is designed to be consistent in color, pattern, and texture from one batch to the next. Seams are also easier to hide because of the consistency of quartz, especially when compared to marble. Dozens of colors and patterns are available, so you can match almost any design imaginable. There are even designs available that can match the look of natural materials like marble and granite.
The Cons:
While quartz has many benefits, there are a few drawbacks you should be aware of. While it is durable, quartz countertops can crack somewhat easily. It's critical to purchase your quartz countertops from a reputable manufacturer. If not, the quality can vary, and inferior quality material can break easily.
Unlike marble and other natural stone bathroom vanity types, quartz countertops are not heat resistant. When exposed to extreme heat, they are prone to cracking. Another consideration is the price. Quartz can cost more than granite. So if you are on a limited budget, you may need to consider an alternative.
The Verdict On Marble VS Quartz
The bottom line? Overall, quartz is more durable and flexible and requires less maintenance than marble. It's easier to maintain and comes in a wide range of colors and patterns, and it's more consistent.
That being said, nothing is quite as luxurious as marble. It's a timeless material that can add a strong visual element to any bathroom design. If you are looking for a unique material, no two pieces of natural stone look exactly alike. Marble provides you with a look that is uniquely yours.
In the end, it comes down to personal preference and budget. But the truth is, either marble or quartz will give you a functional, aesthetically beautiful look for your bathroom!
If you live in the greater Boston Metrowest/Worcester area and are looking for a top-quality bathroom vanity top, Stonelink Marble & Granite now serves all of New England. Give the professionals at Stonelink Marble & Granite a call at (508) 393-0720. Let us show you the many exciting bathroom vanity top options available for enhancing your design!