Quartz counter tops Colorado Springs, CO? Countertop Maintenance: Most experts agree that granite requires moderate maintenance when compared with solid surface, quartz, laminate, glass or ceramic tile. Marble is moderate to high maintenance. The care involved is keeping it sealed, avoiding acidic materials and wiping up spills quickly. Granite countertop prices are slightly lower than marble countertop costs. Granite begins at about $75 per square foot installed. Marble starts at closer to $100 per square foot installed. The best granite countertops can cost $175 per square foot installed while marble can top $200.

Sealant is needed for whatever finish you have on your countertop. The most common marble finishes are either polished, for a high-gloss surface, or honed, which produces a softer matte surface. “These days, ninety percent of marble kitchen countertops are honed,” says Bruno. “That doesn’t show scratches as much as a polished surface, but it does leave the stone more susceptible to stains.” Applying a penetrating sealant is simple. “Make sure the surface is clean and dry, and just wipe the sealant on with a soft cloth,” Bruno says. Ann Sacks uses Miracle Sealants Porous Plus, but Michael says other products are just as good.

For marble, all stones should be sealed regularly with a sealer designed for porous stone. Even with a sealer, marble may stain more easily, which can be difficult to get out even with a poultice. Always wipe up spills as soon as they are seen, and avoid placing acidic things like lemon juice, tomato sauce, or red wine directly on the counter because these can cause the stone to etch. Like granite, marble should always be cleaned with a PH-neutral cleanser to avoid more etching. It should also be resealed at least once a quarter, as opposed to yearly for granite.

You don’t have to scrap an all-white kitchen to stay on trend. Dip your toe in the color pool instead, whether you store colorful pottery in glass-front cabinets, bring in colorful furniture, or paint a large piece like this kitchen island in Tropical Moss by Dunn-Edwards Paints. Maximize living space by making the family room and kitchen one large room. A mix of lighting helps differentiate the areas, while a uniform wall color keeps everything cohesive. Gone are the days of having a dark little pantry to house dry goods hidden away from prying eyes. Today’s kitchens boast roomy pantries with shelving aplenty for your cereals and collectibles. Proud of your organizational skills and want to show off? Finish the pantry space with a screened porch door painted in an eye-catching color, like this bright green hue. Discover extra details on #1 for Countertops in Colorado.

Reactivity to Acidic substance: Both natural stones have a porous structure but the metamorphic attributes of marble makes it more porous and therefore marble is easily stained from spills especially from liquids that are acidic in nature like fruit juices and wines. On the other hand, granite is much more resilient towards stains as long as an effective sealant is maintained on the surface liquid spills will not permeate into the surface.