Do you have a renovation project for your kitchen? Will you choose a quartz kitchen counter or a granite countertop? The counter is one of the most important parts of your kitchen. At first glance, your guests will of course notice your kitchen cabinets, but also your countertop.
The choice of materials for the counters is varied. Here are the advantages and disadvantages of quartz countertops compared to granite countertops.
Is there one that is really better than the other or is it simply a matter of aesthetics?
Kitchen counter – solid stone vs machined stone
As you know, granite is a 100% natural stone. The stone is sawn into slabs or transformed into tiles, then polished for installation. Quartz countertops, on the other hand, are made from crushed quartz mixed with a pigment for coloring and a binder resin.
If you want authentic stone countertops, granite is your only choice here.
Granite kitchen countertops
Granite countertops are still highly sought after for their beauty and durability. This natural stone offers hundreds of shades of colors. Many consider that it is the imperfections of granite that make it so distinctive.
You may have heard or read that granite kitchen and bathroom countertops offer less stain resistance than quartz. That’s right, however, when granite is properly sealed by a professional, your granite countertops will not absorb liquids and resist stains.
So, it’s true that granite is porous. Like other stones, granite is not naturally resistant to moisture. It is best not to leave glasses of water and pots of cool or cold water too long on the counter as it may stain. Quartz, on the other hand, is more tolerant of exposure to moisture.
To protect your investment, do not forget to seal your counter regularly. In addition, it is possible to remove stains on granite using a commercial cleaner designed specifically for granite.
Granite countertops a noble and durable material
Granite has been used for a long time and has a proven track record. It’s a safe bet. Of course, some colors may look dated after a decade, but you can not usually go wrong with granite. Think of it as a long-term investment. Remember that this type of counter almost always helps sell homes.
Granite offers the beauty of a natural stone. Unlike quartz, granite countertops are not the result of factory production. Granite is natural and it offers unique patterns and textures; which allows you to really customize the look of your kitchen.
Quartz kitchen countertops
The quartz kitchen countertop is actually stone reconstituted with a resin. Quartz countertops have an appearance and performance similar to granite. Contrary to what you may think, quartz is a greener product than it seems at first sight.
Although it is not natural, about 90% of the materials that compose it are in fact residues from other products and natural stones. The company that produces it recycles material residues that may not otherwise be used. Even the resins that make up the 10% of a quartz countertop have become over time more natural or, if you will, less synthetic.
Quartz kitchen countertops are low maintenance and offer a multitude of colors
Unlike granite, quartz does not need much maintenance. No sealant is needed. On the other hand, it is more sensitive to heat. You will not be able to put hot food directly on a quartz countertop .
As for the colors you can get with a quartz surface, they are numerous and unlike granite, it is not veined. The color of the quartz is therefore more regular. As it is a machined product, it is available in a wider range of colors. This is probably one of his great strengths of quartz.
One of the disadvantages of quartz is that it may fade over time, read here several years, especially when exposed to direct sunlight.
The appearance of granite countertops versus that of quartz countertops
Both types have their strong point. Granite has slight natural variations in the color of the stone. The colors range from earth tones to shades of blue, green and pink.
For its part, the color of quartz is more consistent and as we mentioned above, quartz is offered in a wider range of color choices because they are produced with color pigments that are added during the design.
Which is the most beautiful? It all depends, these are choices that are very personal. Many will opt for the more natural look of granite while others will prefer the uniformity of quartz. Finally, do not forget to harmonize your countertop with your floor and your backsplash.