Should the Countertop of My Bar Be Marble or Granite?
- Both marble and granite are prized for their wide variety of color and pattern choices, natural beauty and reputation for luxury. Both surfaces can be either polished for a glossy, shiny surface or honed for a smooth but matte surface. Polished marble is less porous and less susceptible to staining, while honed marble is less likely to show scratches. Granite is hard enough that you can use a knife directly on the countertop; marble is softer and requires a cutting board to prevent scratches.
- Although both marble and granite are natural stone, marble is a calcareous stone, while granite is a siliceous stone. Calcareous stones are softer and more porous than siliceous stones, and are also susceptible to etching by acids found in citrus fruits, vinegar, tomatoes, wine and sodas. While granite does not have these weaknesses, its main drawback, at least for some, is that it is wildly popular. If you are someone who takes pride in being unique and not following the herd, you may not want to use a material that is so prevalent in homes across the country.
- According to costhelper.com, the pricing on granite- and marble-slab counter tops is very comparable, with granite at $60 to $100 per square foot and marble at $50 to $100 per square foot, as of July 2011. Costs for each material vary widely depending on supply and demand for each particular type of granite or marble.
- Finally, consider the amount and type of use your bar gets. If your bar is in your media room or living room and is used only occasionally for parties and mainly by adults, you may feel comfortable choosing marble countertops. If your bar is in your kitchen and its countertop gets regular use by many people for eating, cooking, craft projects and homework, granite is a more durable choice.
