Granite vs Quartz Countertops: What are the Differences?
When you think about granite vs quartz countertops, it certainly reminds you of the differences between granite and quartz countertops. However, are you considering granite and quartz countertops for your kitchen or bathroom? Both materials have their pros and cons, and it can be tough to choose which one is right for you. In this blog post, we’ll explore the key differences between granite and quartz countertops, including their appearance, cost, durability, maintenance, and environmental impact. By the end, you’ll have a better idea of which material is the best fit for your needs and preferences.
Granite VS Quartz Countertops
According to what we know about granite vs quartz countertops, whether you’re looking at bathroom countertops or kitchen countertops, some people have a decided preference for quartz while others are equally convinced that granite is the superior choice. But what are the advantages and disadvantages of each? There are some, but before getting into them, it may be useful to refresh our memories on what granite and quartz actually are.
Granite and Quartz Countertops: What Are These Materials?
Granite is a hard stone taken from quarries the world over. Once cut to the desired size, pieces of granite-like the ones that go into kitchen and bathroom countertops are polished to a glossy finish.
Quartz is a bit different in that the “quartz” that goes into bathroom and kitchen countertops isn’t quite all-natural. It’s mostly the mineral quartz, 95% in fact, but that natural quartz gets ground up and then mixed with 5% natural resins.
Knowing that, let’s compare granite and quartz countertops on five key factors.
Granite and Quartz Countertops: How They Look
You can get granite kitchen and bathroom granite countertops in a variety of colors and patterns due to natural variations in the way the stone is formed via the cooling and hardening of molten material. There’s an abundance to choose from, and every granite countertop is unique.
Quartz looks like stone but, because the quartz in countertops isn’t entirely natural, it’s actually possible to customize the design. Even though there are plenty of granite countertops to select from, quartz actually has the edge in terms of finding a countertop that matches your color scheme at a price you’re willing to pay.
Granite and Quartz Countertops: What They Cost
On average, granite countertops cost between $2000 and $4000 while quartz countertops cost between $1500 and $5500. In both cases, a professional should install the bathroom or kitchen countertops.
Granite and Quartz Countertops: How Durable Are They?
Is granite durable? Yes, granite’s durable. It withstands heat well, but it’s also porous, and that leaves granite countertops vulnerable to staining and hard knocks.
Because quartz is harder than granite, quartz kitchen or quartz bathroom countertops are actually more durable though they can be damaged by extreme heat.
Granite and Quartz Countertops: How Easy Are They to Maintain?
A granite countertop should be cleaned daily with soap and water and resealed once a year.
A quartz countertop should also be cleaned with soap and water or a household cleaner, but there’s never a need to reseal it. Because the quartz isn’t porous, it’s relatively easy to make sure that bacteria don’t grow there.
Granite and Quartz Countertops: Are They Environmentally Friendly?
There’s no getting around the fact that quarrying granite takes a lot of energy. If you import it from somewhere far away, that uses a lot of energy as well. In other words, the indigenous stone is a somewhat greener choice.
Since quartz countertops are engineered, they can be a more environmentally conscious choice than granite. To make your selection as green as possible, turn to regional manufacturers and fabricators to reduce transportation costs.
Conclusions:
Quartz countertops offer many advantages. They last longer, are easier to take care of, are easy to customize, and are more environmentally friendly. They can be the more expensive choice, though, depending on exactly what you’re getting, and many people like the one-of-a-kind aspect that every granite countertop affords.