Everything you need to know about marble-effect quartz worktops

Everything you need to know about marble-effect quartz worktops

November 27, 2023

Everything you need to know about marble-effect quartz worktops

If you’ve always loved marble’s natural, classic beauty but want quartz’s durability and practicality, marble-effect quartz worktops are a perfect choice!

Quartz surfaces are made from a mixture of ground natural quartz, resin and coloured pigments that are put under tremendous pressure to produce a compact slab. Adding different coloured pigments creates a huge range of quartz worktop colours and patterns, including those with beautiful marble-inspired veining. These marble quartz worktops look like real marble but are much tougher and resistant to everyday wear and tear. 

In this guide, we cover everything you need to know about marble quartz countertops, including what they are, the most popular types, and the difference between quartz and marble.  

What are marble-effect quartz worktops?

There’s no denying that marble is a gorgeous worktop material, but it’s not the most practical choice for most homes. Marble worktops require regular sealing and are prone to staining and scratching if not correctly looked after. 

Nowadays, there is a huge range of quartz worktops inspired by famous marbles, such as the Italian Carraras and Calacattas. These surfaces perfectly mimic natural marble’s stunning veining and colour, whether you’re looking for dramatic, bold veining or subtle, delicate veining to create a stand-out feature in your home!

Popular quartz marble countertops 

Many of the most popular styles of quartz are based on famous marbles. Here are three of the most popular options. 

Carrara quartz

Italian Carrara is one of the most classic marbles, and Carrara quartz is a stunning and sophisticated choice for your bathroom or kitchen renovation. This elegant white marble quartz has delicate blue-grey veins that crisscross the length of the slab. Carrara quartz is often used to create dazzling all-white kitchens that look and feel light and airy. 

Bianco Carrara quartz is one of our most popular styles. 

Calacatta quartz 

This is another Italian marble-inspired quartz, but unlike Carrara, Calacatta marble quartz features dramatic, bold gold-grey veins and a stunning white background. An incredibly versatile quartz colour, Calacatta quartz looks stunning in any home, regardless of the colour scheme or interior design style.

We’ve written the expert guide to Calacatta quartz with more information.

Statuario quartz 

Statuario marble quartz has a glossy white finish and unique grey veining, which creates an eye-catching surface in any home. From Statuario Gold Quartz to Statuario Black Quartz, this marble-inspired quartz makes the perfect addition to any luxury kitchen or bathroom. 

Marble-effect quartz vs marble worktops

If you’re considering marble-effect quartz worktops, you might have also thought about investing in a marble countertop instead. We’ll break down the differences between these two countertop materials to help you make the right choice for your renovation project. 

Materials 

Marble is a porous metamorphic rock formed over millions of years as it’s put under pressure. Quartz is a non-porous mineral known for being one of Earth’s hardest naturally occurring minerals.

Manufacturing process

Marble worktops are made from slabs mined from marble quarries, which are then cut to size and made into worktops. However, quartz worktops are made in factories from natural quartz and other raw materials to produce compact slabs. 

This is why quartz is often called an ‘engineered stone’ worktop, while marble is a ‘natural stone’ worktop. 

Durability and resistance

Quartz is much more durable than marble, making it a more practical choice for bathroom and kitchen countertops. Plus, quartz is non-porous, stain and scratch-resistant!

Marble is prone to scratching and etching, especially if it’s not sealed regularly, and is easily stained by acidic substances, like lemon juice and wine. 

Maintenance

Natural stone worktops like marble require regular sealing to protect the surface from stains and spillages. Quartz never needs to be sealed as it’s engineered to be completely waterproof and non-porous. 

Appearance 

Quartz worktops are available in a variety of colours and styles, from sparkly options to marble-inspired patterns. Marble countertops look stunning, and there are many different types to choose from, but naturally, they’re more limited than the options you get with quartz surfaces. 

Price 

Marble is one of the most expensive worktop materials due to the mining process and the expense of natural stone. However, quartz is a much more affordable bathroom or kitchen worktop material, which, combined with its added durability, makes it a first-class choice for your home.

Marble-effect quartz countertops by Mo’s StoneX 

If you’re looking for stunning marble quartz worktops professionally templated and installed, we can help!

Mo’s StoneX has over a decade of experience supplying, templating, and installing luxury quartz work surfaces, including beautiful marble-inspired patterns. We offer all of the most popular marble quartz colours, such as the Calacattas and Carraras. Whatever your home’s aesthetic, we can help you find the marble quartz worktop that’s the perfect fit.

Our friendly and professional team will support you throughout the worktop installation process. We even provide a free quote to help you get started!

Fill out our enquiry form for your free quote, or get in touch with us to find out more about our marble-effect quartz countertops.