Is Marble Harder Than Quartz

While definitely not a cheap countertop option the look and endurance of stone make it well worth the cost.

Is marble harder than quartz.

Here are quartzite s best qualities. Homeowners often turn to quartz as an alternative to not only granite and marble but materials such as solid surface as well. So we strive for the hardest most attainable and attractive option in stones which happens to be granite and quartz. Granite is less expensive than marble starting at roughly 75 square foot installed and 100 more than that for higher end stone.

While quartz can closely compare with granite and marble it is of better quality than solid surface countertops. Marble for instance is also a rock of this type but it has been formed from limestone. Quartz has a hardness of 7 on moh s scale whereas marble comes with a hardness of 3 to 4 on the scale. Etching is the colorless watermark left on marble with everyday use in the kitchen or bath especially around a sink or tub.

Honing the marble or giving it a matte surface can reduce the appearance of etch marks but it won t eliminate them altogether. Quartz comes in different colors like white opaque rose smoky yellow violet and brown. When talking of hardness quartz is harder than marble. Granite is a stronger and harder stone than marble is which lends it a shiny glossy appearance compared to marble s dull smoothness.

The table below displays the positive and negative qualities of quartz. Marble comes in white yellow purple uniform pure white red cedar red blue ray and black. Quartzite is an extremely hard rock that is not. Quartz countertops can handle oil tomato wine coffee juice and many other stainable products.

Finally marble is more susceptible to stunning than quartz is. Limestone generally ranks at around a 3 on the scale while marble falls between 3 and 4. However with certain polishing sealants modern marble can be made to look much glossier than it did in the past. Marble is also softer than quartz and etches with use.

Granite is a harder stone than marble and holds up better to chips and scratches. These two stones have a mohs hardness rating of 6 or 7. Marble and limestone lie at the opposite end of the hardness scale from granite. These marks can be removed with warm water and a soft cloth or with a cleanser recommended for marble.

While marble is slightly harder and denser than limestone both rate very low on the mohs scale a rating used to measure the hardness of stones. Plus quartz doesn t hold viruses or bacteria so you know that your countertops will be clean when you wipe it down. Marble is a degree or two less and though it is still a very hard stone it s rating on the mohs scale is about a 5. Quartz with its very hard surface will not show etching or.