Granite Vs Quartz Comparison for Countertops

 

Granite vs Quartz countertops? Which one is the most ideal countertop? Let me guess: this is your first time buying countertops and you are confused between granite and quartz countertops? Don’t worry, you are not alone. In fact, granite and quartz countertops debate is one of the most heated debates among homeowners.

Deciding between granite countertops in Atlanta and quartz countertops in Atlanta is never an easy decision. To make it even more difficult, there is usually no winner. Two of them are great in their own way. At the end of the day, your choice will depend on factors such as aesthetics, durability, maintenance, and cost.

To help make the decision easier for you, we will take a look at both countertops from various angles. We will consider how they are made, durability, appearance, maintenance, cost, and other factors. At the end of the day, you can be able to make your decision and choose the one that completely satisfies your needs:

 

Factors for Granite vs Quartz Countertops Comparison:

How They Are Made

Granite and quartz countertops differ greatly in their manufacturing process. While granite is 100% natural, quartz is just about 97% human-made. According to the Caesarstone -a prominent countertops maker, in order to get quartz to look so beautiful, they are mixed with 7% of color pigments and polymer resins.

So if you are looking for a countertop that is 100% natural, you will have to go for granite. However, this is not the only determining factor when it comes to choosing a countertop. Keep on reading.

Manufacturing

As a follow up to the point above, granites are mined from pure stone. They are then turned into slabs and polished for installation. On the other hand, quartz countertops are made from crushed quartz. After they are mined,

they are combined with pigments for coloration and then resins are used to bind them together.

Appearance

The appearance of your countertop is a determining factor. When you choose a granite countertop, you will have a countertop that looks very natural. On other hand, Quartz countertops come in a variety of colors. You can choose a color you think will be a right fit for your home decor.

Durability

This is another factor you will have to consider when choosing a countertop. Despite having the look and feel of the Mother Nature, granite is porous and can even suck up liquids and infectious material. The slabs did not undergo the same engineering process like quartz slabs for corrections. Thus, they have imperfections which can make them crack or even chip faster than quartz. Alternatively, quartz is a product of the engineering process. Time is taken to ensure it has no striations which can lead to cracks. Moreover, it is made non-porous with resin which is used to bind the particles together and make it more resistant to stains. Top quartz countertop manufacturers such as Caesarstone even treat their countertops with an anti-bacterial coating which makes it more hygienic.

Maintenance

One thing is for sure: When you are using your kitchen countertop, time will come that it will be stained by elements like water, oil, and other liquids. Thus, this means you need to consider the ease of removing these stains when you are thinking about buying a kitchen countertop. Granite is tougher to clean when you have stains on them. Once you have a stain on them, you need to quickly clean them to avoid making it a permanent stain. Moreover, granite needs a regular resealing to make it last longer. Quartz countertop, on the other hand, does not require so much effort when it comes to maintenance, you can easily clean stains with soap, water, and a towel or a mild cleanser…… And no, quartz countertops do not require any resealing since they already come pre-sealed.

Cost

Both materials are high-end materials so don’t expect the price to come that cheap. If you are looking for a really cheap material, then you should look for another option. The price for slabs starts around $60 to $80 per square foot depending on the manufacturing. Quartz, which has gone through a carefully-designed engineering process, tends to cost more. Most times, the cost for quartz starts at $67 to $93 per square foot. It is a high-end countertop. The price may not look budget-friendly but it definitely worth it.

Final Words

Which one do you think your kitchen deserves? It is not always an easy choice but we hope you have an idea by now. If you want a countertop that doesn’t have any maintenance, we will recommend you go with quartz, they come with many benefits you can find in granite countertops but never require sealing. Moreover, quartz countertops are in trend now and you can easily find them in most homes and hotels.

The best way to decide is come down to our location in Marietta GA and see the different materials for yourself. We are high quality factory direct countertop company in Atlanta that offers great pricing with the best quality. Give us a call or request an estimate if you already know what you’re looking for.