Countertops are a very important feature in the kitchen. They go hand in hand with the cabinetry, and come in a variety of colors and materials. Although you may be sure on what color countertops you prefer on the appearance level, you may be unsure which material to choose. LaFata brings to you the pros and cons of the two countertop rivals: quartz and granite.
Durability
The most popular question in terms of choosing a countertop material is how is the durability. Customers are always wondering how long the countertops will last them, and which material is prone to the least wear and tear.
Quartz – Quartz countertops are by far the winner in this category. Quartz is nearly indestructible. It also does not require specific sealing or cleaning. It is not very porous like granite, and it is easy to keep them bacteria free. The only thing to watch out for is heat with quartz counters, they can be damaged by heat, but this is easily avoidable with the use of heating pads.
Granite- Although it may never live up to quartz, granite is still a very durable material as well. Due to it being more porous, it can be more prone to stains if liquids are left sitting on it for a longer period of time. Granite is also more prone to cracking, and does need to be resealed from time to time.
Appearance
Both quartz and granite do come in a variety of colors, and both materials will allow you to find whatever fits your style. Although there are a few distinct appearance differences that set them aside from one another.
Quartz- Quartz countertops are an engineered product. That allows for more uniform appearance, and can give you more of the simple look of stone. Quartz is getting very popular due to its more simplistic, modern appearance.
Granite- If you are looking for more natural, organic beauty, granite is the way to go. Minerals are uniquely set into each piece of granite making each slab entirely unique from another. The color options and designs are very limitless with granite as well. Looking for something more simple, or more detailed, with granite you can easily get both.
Budget Friendly
Like anything, depending on the size, the color, etc. prices can deeply vary. Overall, there is one countertop material that tends to be more budget friendly than the other. Here we discuss the price differences, and also the reasoning behind them as well.
Quartz- Quartz tends to be the more expensive options per square foot. It really comes down to the treatment during manufacturing as well as the durability and less maintenance we discussed.
Granite- Granite is the cheaper pick, as you can even purchase with slab and install it yourself much easier than quartz. It also isn’t as durable as granite, and does require more maintenance which makes the cheaper prices more understandable.