Natural stones like quartz and granite make beautiful modern natural stone countertops. The main differences between these kitchen countertop materials are explained below.
Price
Since more engineering is required to turn quartz into a smooth, shiny surface, quartz kitchen countertops are often more expensive than granite kitchen countertops.
Visual appeal: color scheme c. natural stretch marks
The unique beauty of granite makes it a hot material for kitchen countertops, even though it requires more maintenance than engineered quartz. Granite’s natural appeal comes from its swirling patterns and striations; these characteristics cannot be found in engineered quartz. Each granite countertop is unique. At the same time, many people like the way that quartz countertops can be stained to match the surrounding decor.
Basic Construction: Rock Solid vs. molded countertops
To create natural stone countertops, granite is quarried, cut, and polished. Since granite countertops are created from solid stone slabs, longer countertop surfaces may require multiple slabs. Perfectly matched colors are hard to find in different samples of natural granite. Also, the sealant must be applied consistently to the joints between the stones.
In contrast, a blend of 5 percent resin and 95 percent crushed quartz is used in engineered quartz natural stone countertops. In addition, color pigments may be included. This combination is then poured into countertop ramekins. For this reason, molded quartz countertops do not require regular resealing.
Permeability: stains, bacteria and mold
Granite is usually made up of several different minerals that have been fused together by pressure and high temperatures. In fact, the word granite comes to us from a Latin word for “grain.” Basically, a piece of granite is an amalgamation of different “grains” of minerals. This construction makes the natural granite include air pockets. If spills aren’t cleaned up right away, liquids can see air pockets in granite kitchen countertops and cause permanent stains. Also, granite countertops need to be constantly resealed; Otherwise, they can become breeding grounds for fungus and mold.
Since quartz is non-porous, quartz kitchen countertops are often considered more sanitary. Water can’t sink into quartz counters, so mold and mildew can’t grow on them either. Finally, many homeowners appreciate the fact that quartz countertops never require sealing.
Durability: scratch and chip resistance
Here’s another area where granite kitchen countertops are trickier. The granite may be chipped or scratched; quartz, on the other hand, is so dense that it cannot be scratched or damaged in this way. In fact, quartz is one of the hardest materials on the planet; it typically lasts longer than any surrounding mineral such as sandstone and is often found in stream sediments as it is highly weather resistant. This makes quartz a natural choice for kitchen countertops.
Counter Overhang Size
The area that hangs over the cabinet profile is called the overhang. Standard 1.5-inch cantilever counters; in other words, the counter continues an inch and a half beyond the edge of the cabinet. Wider overhangs can be installed to allow additional room for dining and food preparation. Since quartz is stronger, quartz countertops can have larger overhangs than granite countertops. (If you want to install granite countertops with wide overhangs, you will probably need to add additional supports under the granite slab.)
Remembering these differences can help you choose the best kitchen countertops for your home.
