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Is Quartz or Marble Better?

Pieces of white marble and quarts

Quartz and Marble are two popular countertop choices for a good reason! They are stunning to look at it, and their beauty makes the kitchen look and feel luxurious. But which one is better and how do you choose? Our guide will break down everything you need to know to make an informed choice between Quartz and Marble countertops. 

Quartz and Marble both have pros and cons as countertops. While their appearance and cost are similar, they perform very differently from each other. Quartz is better for durability and stain and scratch resistance,  while Marble is better for heat resistance. 

It is easy to fall in love with Marble’s timeless beauty and rich history. However, Quartz can provide a similar look. To decide which one is better comes down to finding out which one performs better in everyday kitchen use. Keep reading to find out if Marble or Quartz is the better option. 

Which is the Best Choice:  Marble or Quartz?

To decide if Marble or Quartz is better, we will take a look at the following features:

  • Appearance
  • Cost
  • Durability
  • Heat Resistance

Appearance

Marble and Quartz countertops can have very similar appearances. 

Quartz countertops are now available in styles that mimic the look of Marble. 

While Quartz does not quite match Marble’s luxurious feel and high-end beauty, it is very similar and often mistaken for the real thing. 

If you are interested in Marble countertops because you love how they look, you may find that you are just as happy with Quartz.

Cost

Marble and Quartz are also similar in cost.  While both are quite a bit above the cost of many other types of countertops, like solid surface or butcher block, there is not much difference in price between the two.

  • Marble is between $100-200 a square foot installed
  • Quartz is between $115-200 a square foot installed

Durability

Durability measures how well a countertop can resist being damaged during everyday use. Let’s look at how well Marble and Quartz stand up to scratches and stains.

Marble is a soft natural stone made chiefly of calcite, a soft and porous material. Because it is a softer stone, it is more prone to scratches and stains.

White coffee cup next to a white saucer with silver spoon on plate, spilled coffee

Marble has the reputation of staining very easily. Even water that is not wiped up quickly is known to stain and leave marks. 

Etching is a chemical stain common with Marble countertops. It happens when something acidic, like coffee, soda, or even a household cleaner, comes into contact with the counters. Etching will erode the first layer of the Marble, similar to a burn, and is very difficult and costly to repair.

After a Marble countertop has etching stains, which wear down the top protective layers, it becomes very vulnerable to scratches. 

Dishes and cookware set directly on the countertop can cause deep scratches. In fact, Marble is so sensitive to scratches even a necklace or belt buckle grazing the edge of the countertop can cause a scratch

Quartz, unlike Marble, is an engineered stone product made from a mixture of polymer resins and natural stone. It has been designed and manufactured to withstand stains and scratches and to be more durable all around.

Quartz is a very hard and non-porous countertop that is impervious to liquids. This makes Quartz very difficult to stain with regular everyday use. In the rare case that Quartz does stain, it can usually be fixed with the proper cleaning method

Because Quartz is manufactured to be highly durable, it is not easily scratched or damaged. Without worrying about scratches, you can place everyday household items like kitchenware or even your car keys directly on the counter. 

Heat Resistance

Marble is very resistant to heat damage. This means that you could put a hot pan straight from the oven onto a hot surface without major heat damage, like scorch marks or yellowing.   

However, we still recommend using caution and placing a counter protector on the Marble.  While the hot pan or dish placed directly onto the Marble countertop may not leave burn marks,  it will most likely leave scratches and still damage your countertop.

Quartz is not as heat resistant as  Marble. Placing a hot dish directly onto a Quartz countertop can result in scorch or burn marks that are very difficult to remove.  Quartz can take heat up to about 300 degrees Fahrenheit, so care must be taken to keep Quartz counters safe from heat damage.

Marble and Quartz are similar in appearance and cost, but Quartz is much lower maintenance than Marble in everyday kitchen use.

Quartz countertops are easy-to-use and maintain. They are practically scratch and stain proof, making Quartz the better option. 

Are Quartz and Marble the Same Thing?

Quartz and Marble can look similar, but they are not the same thing. 

Marble is a natural stone. It is formed from thousands of years of heat and pressure. It is soft and porous, which means it can stain and scratch easily.

Quartz is an engineered stone made from small stones mixed with a polymer resin to create a hard and stain-resistant surface. Quartz is available in many patterns and colors and can be manufactured to look like Marble. 

How to Tell Quartz From Marble?

Large slabs of marble and quarts

 The easiest way to tell Quartz from Marble is to look at the pattern. 

Marble has natural veining of greys and blacks, and there will be no repeating areas of pattern. It is glossy and translucent. No two areas of Marble will look exactly the same. Even the colors will have slight variations throughout the surface.

Quartz is a manufactured countertop and will be very consistent and uniform in its colors. If you look closely at a Quartz countertop, you might see that the veining pattern repeats.  All manufactured Quartz will have some repeating patterns. 

You can also look at the durability of the countertops to determine if they are Quartz or Marble. An authentic Marble countertop will most likely have some fine scratches and even some stains and yellowing. If the countertop does not show any stains or scratches and still seems to be in perfect condition, it is probably Quartz.

What Quartz Looks Like Marble?

Almost all Quartz countertop manufacturers make a version of Quartz that looks like Marble. It is very common and easy to find

From home improvement stores to upscale kitchen design stores, you will find a variety of brands types of Quartz that looks like Marble.

White with stainless steel kitchen, dark hardwood floor, small sink in island, 2 large dark brown leather chairs at island

The most popular types of Quartz are also the most popular types of Marble. The bold and modern Calcutta pattern or the classic Carrerra Marble pattern. Almost any natural stone marble pattern will be available on a Quartz countertop. 

The easiest way to find Quartz that looks like your favorite Marble is to find a picture of a Marble pattern you like. Take your photo to your local countertop supplier, who will be able to match it closely to a Quartz.  

Can Quartz Look Like Marble?

Yes, Quartz can look almost exactly like Marble! In fact, the new technology has made it harder to tell the difference between natural Marble and Quartz. 

Because Quartz is a manufactured product, it has been designed to mimic the look of Marble. The technology is so advanced that it can be hard to tell Quartz and Marble apart based on appearances alone.

Quartz looks almost identical to Marble, but it is also scratch and stain resistant making it a better choice than Marble any day!

What Is Quartz Marble?

White and gray kitchen, lots of white cabinets with silver hardware, gray and white marble style quarts counter and backsplash

Quartz Marble is a Quartz countertop that has been manufactured to look like Marble. It is a mixture of stone with resin and pigments that form a very hard and durable countertop. 

Quartz Marble gives you all the advantages of a quartz countertop, like stain and scratch resistance but with the beautiful patterns and veining of traditional Marble. 

Final Thoughts

Most homeowners are interested in products and materials that make life easier and are worry-free. Quartz is more durable, resists scratches and stains, and is easier to use and maintain than Marble. 

Marble outperforms Quartz only in the heat resistance category. However, Quartz is still heat resistant enough for everyday use. Just make sure to keep a hot pad close by. 

The durable engineered Quartz, married with the beautiful Marble patterns and colors, easily makes it the better choice for most kitchens.