A BATTLE OF SURFACES: GRANITE VS QUARTZ
Keeping up with latest of trends means constant change. Ever since the 1950s, new ideas for surfacing kitchen countertops have kept hitting the marketplace. In the late ’80s, granite became the touchstone for countertop luxury – a popular choice for kitchen and bath remodels. Homeowners loved using “natural” stone, and granite also offered drama and color. But as of late, a manufactured newcomer has emerged — “quartz,” a man-made, engineered “stone” used on countertops and even on walls of kitchens and bathrooms. It combines ground quartz with resins, polymers and pigments to form a solid product.
Let’s challenge Granite & Quartz in a comparison to see which surface takes it all! Granite Vs. Quartz – which one is better?
ROUND 1: APPEARANCE
GRANITE
-
1
Limited Color Options
-
2
Busy Appearance
-
3
Natural Patterns
QUARTZ
-
1
Limitless Color Options
-
2
Marbled Appearance
-
3
Customizable Patterns
ROUND 2: COST
GRANITE
-
1
Averages from $2K-$4K
-
2
Cheaper to Cut & Install
-
3
Cheaper to Replace
QUARTZ
-
1
Averages from $2.5K-$5.5K
-
2
More Expensive to Cut & Install
-
3
More Expensive to Replace
ROUND 3: EFFICIENCY
GRANITE
-
1
Natural Resource
-
2
Quarried
-
3
Global
QUARTZ
-
1
Recycled Resource
-
2
Manufactured
-
3
Regional
ROUND 4: MAINTENANCE
GRANITE
-
1
Cleans with Soap & Water
-
2
Requires Sealer
-
3
Prone to Liquid Stains
QUARTZ
-
1
Cleans with Soap & Water
-
2
No Sealer Required
-
3
Liquid Stain Resistant
FINAL ROUND: DURABILITY
GRANITE
-
1
Prone to Chipping
-
2
Heat Resistant
-
3
Porous
QUARTZ
-
1
More Durable
-
2
Takes Heat Damage
-
3
Non-Porous
WINNER: QUARTZ
Quartz surfaces are a man-made product that are manufactured using 95 percent ground natural quartz and 5 percent polymer resins to create an extremely tough and very durable stone surface. Unlike natural stones, such as Granite or Soapstone, Quartz surfaces do not require sealing because they are non-porous, making them highly resistant to bacteria, chemicals, stains, heat and moisture. to create an extremely tough and very durable stone. Quartz surfaces are non-porous, formulated to stand up to the harshest environments and do not require sealing. Quartz is highly resistant to bacteria, chemicals, stains, heat and moisture. They are also far less heavy than granite, but it is just as reliable! Quartz surfaces come in a variety of different colors, patterns, and styles, making them easy to pair with any cabinet, backsplash or flooring options.
Quartz surfaces are more durable than most surfaces available today. These surfaces are very resistant to cracks, scratches, impact and stains. But they are not scratch-proof, so take care when using sharp objects near the countertop. Like any surface, excessive pressure on the surface with a sharp object can damage it. Cutting boards are always recommended when preparing food!