=====[srform] Homeowners have many choices for natural stone elements in their home. Two of these options are quartz and marble. While these hav...
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Homeowners have many choices for natural stone elements in their home. Two of these options are quartz and marble. While these have a slightly similar appearance, they are very different options. Anyone who’s considering adding natural stone to their home should understand some basic points about these two options.
Once you’re ready to get your project going, ImproveNet can connect you to local professionals who can get the job done.
There are several points you must consider when you’re trying to determine which option is better for your project. These include:
- The room the quartz or marble will be used in
- The type of design element it will be used in
- The overall decor scheme in the room
- The price point you set for the project
What Is Better: Quartz Or Marble?
Quartz and marble both have positive and negative points to them. Marble is more common than quartz, but quartz is harder than marble. When it comes to overall architectural value, marble is considered much more valuable than quartz.
The color scheme you’re looking for might also have an impact on which of these options is better for your project. While some colors overlap between marble and quartz, the design of them may be the ultimate deciding factor.
Marble colors:
- Black
- White
- Pure white
- Yellow
- Red
- Blue-ray
- Purple
- Cedar red
Quartz colors:
- Opaque
- White
- Brown
- Smoky yellow
- Rose
- Violet
One point to remember is that you can expect some imperfections if you’re using natural marble or quartz. There are manufactured options for these, but they aren’t as valued as the natural options.
Which Is More Expensive: Quartz Or Marble?
Quartz is slightly less expensive than marble, but the pricing difference might not be a large enough factor to convince people who are set on marble to make the change to quartz. Remember to factor in the costs beyond the design element itself. Labor, tools, and supplies can add up quickly.
You can expect to pay an average of $60 per square foot for marble countertops. The average minimum cost is $40 per square foot, while the average maximum is approximately $100 per square foot. On top of those costs, you can probably expect to pay around $300 to $500 in labor and around $100 to $150 for supplies.
For quartz, you will pay anywhere from $50 to $100 per square foot for the countertop if you’re using engineered quartz. The cost of First Choice quartz averages $85 per square foot, Second Choice quartz averages $50 per square foot, and commercial-grade quartz is around $65 per square foot. You can expect to pay around $50 to $100 per labor hour to have these installed, and finishing materials average $2.20 per square foot.
The cost of the project also depends largely on the shape of the design element. Curved elements and other odd shapes will likely increase the cost of the project considerably. Some intensive projects, such as a quartz or marble backsplash will be fairly costly. The average labor cost, not including materials or supplies, runs around $800 to $2,000 for a backsplash.
Kitchens: Quartz Or Marble Countertops?
In the kitchen, the countertop is often a focal point. Many homeowners choose marble for the kitchen countertops because of their timeless beauty. The issue with this option is that marble is porous, so it will soak up cleaning solutions and other liquids. This can sometimes lead to damage, which means you’ll have to choose to either replace the countertop or live with an unsightly spot on it.
Quartz is nonporous, so you won’t have to be as concerned with spills as you would with marble. The challenge with quartz countertops in the kitchen is that they can’t stand heat. You’ll need to use a barrier between the countertop and items that are hot. This could be as simple as using trivets to place pans on when you take them out of the oven.
Marble Or Quartz In The Bathroom?
Quartz might be preferred over marble in the bathroom because quartz is nonporous, so it should do well with the humidity of the bathroom. You can use quartz or marble for the bathroom countertop, or you can opt for tiles as a shower surround. Just remember that marble is porous, so you’ll have to be careful with things like makeup remover if you use marble for the bathroom countertop.
One point to remember is that quartz can’t handle high levels of heat. Because of this, you’ll need to ensure that you have options to heat the bathroom that don’t include placing a heater on the counter. Options like radiant floors might be beneficial if you have your heart set on quartz but need a supplemental heat source.
Find A Local Installation Professional
Once you determine whether quartz or marble is the best option for your project, you can contact an installation professional to get the job done. ImproveNet connects you with local professionals who can provide you with quotes for the project. You can review these and base your hiring decision on the overall value of the quote and the quality of the work that’s offered.
