COUNTERTOPS
Granite and quartz are two of the best and most popular countertop options on the market. Granite countertops have risen to popularity over the past few decades, while quartz countertops have also risen in popularity in recent years as a viable alternative to both granite. But how do these countertop materials compare to each other?
GRANITE
Granite countertops are some of the most beautiful and tough surfaces you can find. You will have a seemingly endless array of colors and styles to choose from when it comes to this amazing natural stone. It's very durable, which makes it an ideal countertop material for any home.
Granite is a natural stone and is harvested from the earth. Natural stone contains fissures and imperfections that are sealed before the countertop is used. This sealer must be reapplied every 1+ years to ensure that the surface is impervious to staining and food particles. No two pieces of granite are exactly the same so you can be assured that you will have a unique stone for your project.
No matter where you install a granite countertop, it will look amazing. The only downside to granite – if it can even be considered a ‘downside’ – is that you must make sure to keep up on sealing. That said, having to apply a sealer to your countertop roughly once per year is not any kind of major inconvenience.
Considering that granite countertops are stain-resistant, heat resistant, and scratch resistant, installing these surfaces in the home seems like an easy choice. The positive and negative qualities of granite are listed below.
Pros:
Natural Beauty to the home
Durable
Stain resistant
Heat resistant
Scratch resistant
Cons:
Needs to be resealed every year
QUARTZ
Quartz is a popular surface for both residential and commercial applications.
Although the product is not quite as durable as most granite, the color control, consistency of color, and pattern make this material an interesting choice for your project.
Although quartz countertops are engineered, the surfaces are incredibly attractive. Due to the fact that they are manufactured, quartz countertops can be customized to produce virtually any style – including styles that look like granite and marble. Another benefit that results from these surfaces being engineered is that they are non-porous. This means that quartz countertops do not require the sealing that granite countertops do.
One thing you must watch out for is not exposing quartz countertops to excessive heat. High levels of heat can melt the resin and cause a permanent burn mark on the surface. Never set down hot pots or pans on a quartz countertop. Heat resistance is one of the only areas in which quartz does not match or surpass other countertop options.
Homeowners often turn to quartz as an alternative to not only granite but materials such as solid surface as well. The table below displays the positive and negative qualities of quartz.
Pros:
Beautiful
Many colors and styles
Non-porous
Durable
Cons:
Cannot withstand extreme heat
If you are looking for a material that offers a variety of colors and styles, is durable and is low maintenance, granite is an ideal countertop choice for you.
Perhaps the sealing that is required with natural stone (although not difficult) does not appeal to you. If you want a beautiful engineered stone countertop that is low maintenance, quartz will be a great fit for your home. It can even work well as a backsplash that complements your countertop. As long as you are careful and avoid scorching the surface with excessive heat, there are many benefits you will receive from quartz.
Regardless of which material you choose for your new countertops, you will be getting one of the best options you can use in your home. By evaluating the different factors listed and explained above, you can know which material is the best fit for your home.