Do you want to renew of countertops but can’t decide between granite and quartz? In the selection of a countertop for your kitchen or bathroom, you’ve set it down to two materials: quartz (engineered stone) vs. granite (natural stone). It is not an easy decision as to the distinction between these two countertops. Following all, both quartz and granite are promoted by their respective manufacturers. How different can they be?
It may seem like an impossible choice. After all, they both come in a beautiful selection of colors and patterns, and both make for exceptionally durable work surfaces. However, most manufacturers will quickly notify you that granite countertops is a better choice than quartz if you talk to real experts.
- Granite is more sustainable than quartz
- The quartz will burn under a hot pot
- Quartz scratches more easily than granite
- Can quickly repair granite
- Granite: easy to maintain
- Granite: cheaper than quartz
- Granite: polished of the area
Granite is more sustainable than quartz:
Both countertops are durable, and sustain depends on the damage thrown into them.
Do you cook or bake?
Most of us do this, and daily we cut, handle hot pots and pans, move heavy bowls, and use small appliances like food processors and slow cookers. You have to compare how each material resists accidents and abuse.
The quartz will burn under a hot pot:
Granite countertops form under intense heat and is naturally impervious to high temperatures. Hot pots and pans do not damage the surface, although they can damage the sealant on them.
Quartz, on the other hand, is not as heat resistant.
The tones used to give it flexibility and shape will damage and melt at high temperatures. Low-quality marks have been known to discolor under pots and pans, so if you want to put hot pots directly on the counter, drop quartz from your list.
Quartz scratches more easily than granite:
The same resin that makes quartz susceptible to heat damage also makes it more susceptible to scratching.
While it won’t scratch easily during everyday use, granite is certainly more likely to see scratches from dropped pots or slipping knives.
Granite, the hard and sturdy stone that it is, can help you cut vegetables directly on its surface. It is so durable that it will dull your knives, so invest in a wooden cutting board.
Can quickly repair granite:
Accidents happen, dishes fall out of countertops, Kids drop things on counters.
If you drop a heavy pot on the granite or hit a corner with a thick bowl, it is more likely to break than quartz. The problem is that these chips are complicated to repair, but granite is relatively easy to improve, and you can probably do it yourself.
It is so easy to sell granite repair kits in almost every large home improvement store. You can use similar kits with quartz, but repairs are generally more noticeable and difficult to polish.
Granite: easy to maintain:
If granite has a weakness, it is the fact that it is responsive to stains due to its composition. As it is a natural stone, some varieties can be acceptable, and staining can be a real possibility unless it takes 10 minutes of the day to seal it once or twice a year.
The artificial resin used to bond the quartz together is non-porous, so it is stain resistant (not stain resistant) and requires very little maintenance.
Before assuming that this makes quartz superior to granite, consider the very reason it is not porous.
The same resin that reduces maintenance also increases the risk of damage and stain from pots and pans’ heat.
Maybe you think the resin / natural stone ratio is insignificant? Consider this.
Manufacturers claim that their tiles contain around 7% resin. What they hide is that the ratio is by weight. The actual volume of resin is approximately 30% to 40% of the finished product. It is almost appropriate to call them resin countertops instead of quartz.
Granite: cheaper than quartz:
Granite countertops cost $ 40-50 per square foot including installation. Quartz ranges from $ 50 to $ 75 per square foot installed. This difference can add up if you have a large kitchen.
Granite: polished of the area:
At first glance, quartz may seem greener because it can be designed and manufactured close to where it will sell it. Manufacturing facilities also love to brag about how they use recycled materials and how they save water.
However, they both have to be mined somewhere – sometimes in us, but usually overseas – so they both use the same energy and resources. Quartz, however, fades considerably within weeks of direct sunlight, especially in darker colors.
Read Also: Tips to save money on granite countertops
Conclusion:
Granite and quartz (engineered stone) are high-quality materials for countertops that add real estate value to a home. Granite countertops appeal to those who love natural materials, while quartz offers easier maintenance and slightly better durability.