Granite and marble slabs are popular choices for home renovation projects across the GTA. Each has its own strengths and weaknesses that may help you make the right decision for your home and lifestyle.

 

 

The differences between granite and marble are more than just surface deep. Their natural patterns and strength differ but so do their origins.

 

Granite is formed deep beneath the surface of the Earth in high temperatures. It’s an extremely hard stone and has a grainy appearance no matter what the colour. Granite offers a feeling of depth when you look at it, an effect caused by the graininess of the rock. There are many colours and patterns available for granite.

 

Marble’s origin is completely different. It started as plants, animal skeletons, silt, and other organic material that formed rock over millions of years. When you touch marble, you could be touching the bones of a dinosaur! Marble is rarer than granite, so the price per square foot tends to be higher. Marble has distinct patterns that vary from fine veining across the rock to solid colours and bold, swirling patterns. It’s a soft rock that’s easy to scratch and stain.

 

 

Granite is scratch and pit resistant. As recommended, be sure to seal the granite every two years to ensure that it stays stain-resistant.

 

Granite is so hard you can dull your knife when you chop vegetables on top of it—but you really should use a cutting board. It also resists scorch marks and heat. A drawback of this density is that it is harder to cut than softer stones like marble. If you need an odd shape or a super-thin slice of granite, it may be hard to cut without chipping.

 

Your granite countertop or floor should look just as fabulous a decade or two from now since granite doesn’t fade over time.

 

 

Marble has a deep, unmatchable beauty, whether it has fine lines or bolder patterns—it’s unmistakable. When you’re looking around, do some research into the types of marble so you can see the full range of colours and patterns available.

 

Since marble is a soft stone, it’s easier for fabricators to cut complicated shapes. Fancy sides, such as scallops and bevelling, can be added with little risk of chipping the marble. This makes marble a great choice for areas with unconventional shapes.

 

If you dream of gleaming marble countertops in the kitchen, you should be aware of the high level of care your marble will need. It’s an extremely porous stone, so it will stain easily. Any spills need to be blotted right away before they set. If an acidic liquid spills, it can cause serious pitting and etching in your marble. Once marble is stained, it’s normally permanent. You’ll have no choice but to replace it or cover it with an appliance or trivet.

 

It’s important that marble be resealed once a year—and more often than that if the area it’s in sees heavy use.

 

Using Granite and Marble Slabs to Increase the Beauty of Your GTA Home means transforming your fireplace, kitchen, bathroom, foyer, or and many other areas of your home into something breathtaking and envious.