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Quartz vs Granite
If you're considering a countertop upgrade you'll want to consider both granite and quartz.
Let’s start comparing them with a brief rundown and then dive into some of the finer points.
A brief rundown of quartz and granite
Granite countertops are quarried naturally from the earth as enormous chunks of stone.
After they leave the quarry they are cut and polished into the familiar countertop shape.
Quartz countertops contain crushed quartz mixed with resin in a ratio of 93% quartz to 7% resin. They are
manufactured in a variety of different patterns and colors.
Pros and cons of quartz: Pros and cons of granite:
As with granite, quartz countertops also have their own sets of Here are some of the most important drawbacks and benefits of
drawbacks and benefits that go along with them. granite that you need to know:
1. Quartz countertops are just as strong as granite but have the 1. The appearance is not uniform. These stones are coming right
added benefit of being more flexible. This makes them easier to out of the earth and are not perfectly designed by nature. For
work with during the installation process. some this will be a benefit while others will consider it to be a
2. Quartz is non-porous and does not require any sealing – ever. drawback.
These stones offer a virtually no-maintenance material solution 2. Granite countertops will need to be sealed before they are
for countertops. used and this will need to be repeated year after year for as long
3. These counters are also very durable but they cannot be as you own the countertop. Granite is a porous stone and can
considered indestructible either. They are stain-resistant as well only be considered to be stain-resistant if it has been sealed
so dropping a glass of wine on them simply requires a quick properly. While some people only seal their granite countertops
cleanup. every 3 years, it’s best to be safe and to do it yearly. If for any
4. One drawback that you should definitely take note of is these reason the sealant on the counter gets compromised, your
counters can discolor over time when exposed to direct sunlight. countertop can get stained.
If you have a part of your counter that receives some of the UV 3. Countertops made of granite are extremely durable but
rays from the sun while another part doesn’t, over time you may should not be considered to be indestructible. It is a natural rock
see a color difference. and can break or chip if subjected to heavy abuse. For regular
5. These countertops need to be professionally installed and day-to-day activities though, and with proper maintenance, this
quartz is even heavier than granite. is a countertop that can last for a lifetime and beyond.
6. You can expect to see seams with a quartz counter but they 4. The stones are heavy and require a professional installation.
will be less visible if you choose a slab that’s darker in color. As Don’t even think of hiring your neighborhood handyman to put
well, the seams are easier to hide when you choose quartz in your new countertop to save a few dollars.
because the counter has been colored and manufactured. If you 5. It’s impossible to hide the seams in a granite counter. Expect
buy a quartz countertop in a solid color, it’s much easier to hide the seams to show up once it has been installed.
the seam to a certain extent. 6. The samples that you see can slightly differ from the stone
that you receive. Keep in mind that these are naturally occurring
So which one should you choose? slabs so the samples cannot be a true 100% reflection of the
The one that you find the most aesthetically pleasing, fits into stone you are ordering. There may be color variances or
your budget and highlights the mood and ambiance you are occlusions in the stone you receive that gives the slab a slightly
trying to create in your kitchen. Because when it comes down to different appearance.
it, there really is no wrong choice. There’s just personal
preference.
They both make lovely countertops and there is going to be one
that grabs your fancy more than the other. It’s just human nature
and you’ll have to decide for yourself which one you prefer the
best.
THE GREAT NEWS IS THAT YOU CAN NEVER GO WRONG BY
CHOOSING EITHER ONE!
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