The Marble Institute of America has said such claims are “ludicrous” because although granite is known to contain uranium and other radioactive materials like thorium and potassium, the amounts in countertops are not enough to pose a health threat.
Marble can and should be sealed when installed and again every few years. However, if it is not done properly or often enough, staining is a “not if, but when” proposition. There are too many complaints from homeowners when their marble kitchen countertops stain, scratch, chip or crack.
5 – Neolith is competitively priced. Granite and marble countertops are beautiful, but their cost can be prohibitive. With Neolith, you can have the look of stone for a comparable price. If you are considering a kitchen renovation, Neolith may very well be the surface for you.
The trick to achieving a durable, long-lasting look lies in painting layers of thin coats (DIY experts recommend at least three, with as many as 24 hours in between each coat) in favor of one thick coat—after you’ve sanded down the laminate, and added a coat of primer, of course.
The countertop fabrication process is always a lot trickier working with high-density materials. However, porcelain is comparatively cheaper than granite, marble, and quartz. So if your budget can handle those materials at the top range, porcelain is definitely affordable.
Porcelain kitchen countertops are extremely hard, durable and stand up to most impacts. In fact, their durability is second to stone alone and, generally, are unaffected by wear and tear. Still, chips and cracks are possible. Porcelain is made of 100% natural, raw, and clay-based materials.
Let’s take a deeper look at the top five benefits of quartz countertops. Quartz is inherently eco-friendly because the natural quartz material that composes much of it comes directly from the earth. When compared to other countertops, it features a longer replacement life, and is even recyclable. Mar 5, 2017
Turning up the Heat Quartz is resistant to heat, but if the temperature gets to too high, you can damage your quartz countertop. A quartz countertop is made up of nearly 93% quartz with the rest being the resin and pigments. The resin can only withstand temperatures of around 150 degrees.
Quartz, on the other hand, is non-porous and does not have to go through regular re-sealing. This means it is highly resistant against staining and is one of the most hygienic countertop options for homeowners.
Quartz Scratches Easier Than Granite The same resin that makes quartz susceptible to damage from heat also makes it more likely to scratch. While it’s not easily scratched under normal use, it’s definitely more likely than granite to see scratches from dropped pans or slipping knives.