The kitchen is a hub for many home activities. While meals are prepared, children do their homework close by. At parties, people naturally gather in the kitchen. Both marble and granite are beautiful countertop materials, but which one serves a high-traffic area best?

Function

Both stones function well for countertops. The deciding factors between the two are knowing the look and what type of maintenance you want.

Marble

Marble is soft, so it stains and scratches easily and cannot take heat without dulling the surface. Sealing it helps somewhat but not entirely because it is porous. It is a carbonate, which means it will react to acidic materials. Italians have used marble for years--for them, the more stained, scratched and dulled the surface, the better. To them, that is its natural beauty. Marble can be maintained using a poultice to remove stains and resealing polished areas when dulled. Honed marble rather than polished marble makes maintenance easier because it hides the marble's wear and tear.

Granite

Granite contains quartz, so it is hard and doesn't stain or scratch as easily and can withstand high heat. Granite stays polished with use. With a proper seal, granite will last many years without scratching, staining or chipping. However, because of its hardness, using knives on granite will dull them. Maintenance involves resealing every few years.

Significance

Both marble and granite are expensive. Both require professional installation. Marble comes from limited quarries, and the process for making it demands great skill.The cost of granite lies in its transportation and installation.

Potential

Both marble and granite have the potential to make your kitchen beautiful. Both require professional attention to make it what it should be. Knowing what you want to maintain and what look you want in your kitchen will guide you in making a decision.