Not much beats the stunning beauty of a marble countertop! How it resists damage and makes a luxurious statement in your bar, restaurant, or other commercial property is remarkable.
Sometimes, though, the cost of a marble countertop as well as its weight make it less feasible to install in your business. However, there are great alternatives that are durable and look fantastic.
To find out more about the possible alternatives, check out the information below.
Granite
Granite is a type of igneous rock that forms deep in the Earth as a melted rock and then cools either on the surface of the earth or deep down.
Granite is a great marble alternative because it often has a smooth, multicolored, veined appearance. Granite also has a high resistance to scratches and cracks, with a rating of 6 on the Mohr’s hardness scale. It’s typically sealed to prevent stains, as the stone is naturally porous.
Granite is available in a wide variety of patterns, making it a great marble alternative for your commercial countertop. However, both materials are similar in density, so granite will be heavy when installed. Granite is a great statement piece for any commercial countertop.
Quartz
While quartz is a naturally occurring mineral, the variety used in countertops is typically fabricated from quartzite dust and polyresin.
This blend helps improve the durability and longevity of your business’ countertops. Additionally, the added polyresin fills the pores present in quartz, so you won’t have to worry about sealing the material to prevent stains or additional damage.
Quartz has a gorgeous aesthetic and is an excellent countertop choice for any commercial kitchen.
Solid Surface Countertops
Solid-surface countertops are made to resemble natural stone while remaining mostly non-porous. This makes solid-surface countertops an excellent option for commercial use. Non-porous commercial countertops are easily cleaned and provide a sanitary workspace. While they are easy to maintain, solid-surface countertops are softer than natural stone options, making them more vulnerable to scratches and heat. While scratches can easily be repaired, you’ll want to use caution with hot pots and pans.
Solid-surface materials are a great option for bar and restaurant table tops as well as commercial kitchen countertops.
Plastic Laminate Countertops
Plastic laminate countertops are very budget-friendly, and there are many colors and designs to suit the needs of your commercial space. Plastic laminate countertops are non-porous, making them easy to keep clean and sanitized. Because they are made from plastic laminate, these commercial countertops won’t be as durable as a natural stone or solid-surface countertop. However, if you can avoid serious wear and tear as well as heat, they make a great alternative to more expensive countertop materials for your commercial space.
Final Thoughts
Marble is a popular style for commercial countertops – but it does have some drawbacks and tends to be more expensive than quartz or granite while performing similarly (or worse!). Investing in alternatives is budget-friendly, and there are durable options to choose from.
Remember that you can get the same appearance without the hefty price tag by using granite, quartz, or solid-surface countertops as an alternative for your commercial space.
Hawk Industries designs, builds and installs quality commercial countertops and tabletops for every need. Reach out to the Hawk team today for guidance on the best countertop material for your bar, restaurant or other commercial space!