Granite Countertops vs. Cultured Marble

Planning to build a new kitchen in your house? But are confused between granite countertops and cultured marble? Here are some easy ways which will help you decide the best way.

Granite is a coarse grained rock which is frequently used for the slabs, floors etc and it occurs naturally whereas cultured marbles are manufactured variety of marbles which has become a recent trend. Also since marble is a natural stone so its color and texture differs from one piece to the other, whereas, cultured marbles are manufactured hence all of them have a similar finish – a glossy top.

Access

Once you have decided for a new kitchen. Without much ado, visit a store nearby and look for granite stone and cultured marble. Unlike natural marbles, cultured marbles can be prepared near the installation place through a strenuous process. Both are easily accessible.

Durability

Just like any other stone, both granite and cultured marbles need proper maintenance. As compare to granite, marble countertops are more prone to breakage or scratch. They usually have a warranty period, where as granites are for lifetime.

In contrast to granite, cultured marbles are more prone to chipping as they are more porous in nature. Hence if you are planning to carve the marble it is recommended. But they weigh much less as comparably.

Cost

As granite is a natural stone, the value of it is comparatively higher than cultured stone. The cost may vary from shop to shop or quarry to quarry. But most importantly the cost of the product depends a lot on the style and design one goes for.

If you desire to go for the plain and the regular one which in granite is usually grey in color with an almost uniform top is considered to be the cheapest similarly with cultured marble the most common one is the one with a white surface.

Installation

As granite is a natural stone, the contractor would be requiring the specifications as the length, breadth etc to cut the slab of granite exactly. Hence it’s an expensive affair. When it comes to cultured marbles they are manufactured hence they are built accordingly therefore the process is less strenuous. As the process is less complicated the installation process and charges of cultured marbles are less.

If you are still in two minds do consult a professional granite contractor or visit a professional showroom where you can be guided.