Suggestion: Quartz Vs. Granite- Which One is Better and Will Live Long?
If you are thinking of renovating your new house with a brand-new countertop design, one of the most common things that you will often ask yourself is what type of kitchen countertop you should go for? After all, the kitchen countertop is where you will be doing most of the cooking work, right, such as chopping and cutting. It is essential for you to choose the right material for your countertop, after all, that is going to stay with you for a lifetime unless you change your mind to change the countertop!
Of course, durability is one of the prime concerns, but we can’t deny the fact that we need to look for the best-looking material as well. It is actually the countertop that will ultimately determine how the kitchen is going to look like. Since countertops are large, you need to make the right decision.
Two of the most popular choices that homeowners often go for are quartz and granite. We have prepared this handy guide, which will allow you to choose the right material for your home kitchen décor.
Difference between Quartz and Granite
Granite, if you didn’t know already is a kind of igneous rock. Granite is extracted from the earth and later sanded and polished. Granite is commonly used as tiles as well. The most interesting aesthetic quality of granite is its grain. If you take two pieces of granite, you will notice that they are not alike whatsoever. This stone varies in composition, and hence they all look different.
However, when it comes to quartz, this is a mineral which you will find in igneous and metamorphic rocks. Quartz consists of silica. While making quartz countertops, the manufacturer mixes crushed quartz along with coloured pigments and polymer resin.
The Appearance of Granite
If you pick granite for countertops, you will notice that each one of them are different, meaning each of the granite countertops will be one-of-a-kind. A lot will depend on where granite was mined from. You might come across colours such as green gem, red, and brighter blue tones. Granite will have its own imperfections, which is what makes them so unique in front of granite-lovers. However, it is these imperfections that will make the cuts in between granites more visible. This is why you will need an expert’s help. That being said since every piece of the slab will be unique, even if you want to extend or replace your already installed granite countertops, you will not find a similar one to do that.
The Appearance of Quartz
Unlike granite, quartz is man-made. This is the main reason why some homeowners may not want to go with quartz as an option because they may feel that quartz lacks the uniqueness of granite. However, on the other hand, people might enjoy the ample amount of choices and style they may come across when it comes to quartz. Quartz is available in almost every colour. Meaning, if you would like to colour-match the countertops, quartz will let you do that without any fuss.
The Durability of Quartz and Granite
If we have to talk about the durability of granite and quartz, here’s something that you need to know. Both of these materials are incredibly durable. They are in high demand, mainly because of their resilience and strength. However, granite is more prone to cracks and chips, mainly because of its natural striations. Striations are nothing but grooves, and they are formed when there is a movement in the earth. Even though these striations are not visible to the naked eyes, you will still see them in cut slabs of granite. Another flaw of granite is that this is a porous material. Granite can easily absorb stains. And the kitchen is the best place for stains, right!
However, if you compare granite with quartz, quartz is nonporous. They are flexible and stable. Quartz can easily resist cracks and stains. However, you need to be careful where you install quartz since they can be damaged if there is excessive heat.
How About the Maintenance?
Now that you know that granite is porous, you will have to seal and reseal it every year. This will keep the granite stay away from bacteria and stains. Even after the cracks in granite are sealed, you have to ensure that it is wiped regularly as soon as you see stains. One thing that you can do to disguise those stains is going for dark brown or black granite countertops. Readers may note that not every all-purpose cleanser is suitable for granite countertops.
Quartz, on the other hand, will require less maintenance in comparison to granite. Quartz, unlike granite, will not absorb bacteria and stains. Even if you go for white quartz, guess what, they will not stain. Not just this, most of the manufacturers of quartz usually add an antibacterial coating. This further allows the countertop to stop carrying bacteria and germs. Just use a mild cleanser, and you will be able to clean the quartz countertop.
Price
Now, let’s compare the price factor of these two materials. Both granite and quartz will cost you almost the same per square foot. However, granite will come along with much wider variations when it comes to its price. At times, you will find granite to be more expensive. Granite becomes more costly in terms of their patterns and colours. However, if you find quartz to be more expensive, it will be based on the treatment it receives while going through the manufacturing process.
If you know how to install a countertop, you might be able to install granite on your own. However, when it comes to quartz, you will have to call a professional only.
