Granite Vs. Quartz Which is Right For My Kitchen?

If you’ve recently shopped for new kitchen countertops, you know firsthand how many options there are to choose from between natural stone and manufactured stone.  Granite and Quartz are two of the most popular and common choices made when getting new countertops.  In order to make a good decision on what is best for you, here is a breakdown of each.  Hope this helps.

• Granite is naturally mined from the earth and is very unique and no two slabs are the same.  Your kitchen will have its own personality with its unique characteristics.  Quartz on the other hand is manufactured and each slab  made will be somewhat similar to the next.
• As for maintenance of your countertop, Quartz is a proven winner.  Since it is compressed during the manufacturing process, it is non porous and it very difficult to stain and does not need to be sealed.  As for Granite, it is not necessarily a super high-maintenance material — it just requires more care than quartz does. Because it’s porous, you will need to seal it regularly, a task that can become a nuisance for some homeowners and easily forgotten in our busy day to day schedules.
• Granite has a lot of movement in it, from veins and fissures to spots and deposits. To some people this is a huge reason to purchase it, but it’s also a drawback for homeowners who don’t want busy countertops.  It is difficult to find that clean, sleek and simple look in natural stone. If you’re looking for counters that have this clean look with a consistent  color pattern, quartz is likely the better option for you.
• As for suitability for outdoor applications, granite has the upper hand. Quartz does not  perform well outdoors. Its surface can fade and discolor after long-term exposure to sunlight. On the other hand, a natural stone like granite was born to survive sunlight and other weather elements with ease.
• Granite and Quartz countertops can be cleaned with  mild soap and water or a mild household cleaner (some chemicals can harm both granite and quartz).  Both are heat resistant (always use a trivet or hot pad when placing anything hot on to the surface) and scratch resistant.   Always read and follow the manufacturers recommendations when there is any doubt or question of the do’s and don’ts about your new countertops.

Stonite Surfaces is always available for questions about your existing countertops or inquiring about purchasing new countertops.   We are here to help.  HAVE A GREAT DAY!!