If you’re renovating your kitchen countertops, you might be stuck with a tough choice: do you pick granite or quartz for your countertop needs. Here is a mini list of the pros and cons of both countertop choices.
What are Granite and Quartz?
When you choose a countertop material, there are a couple of things you should consider. Look and durability are the most important elements you should keep in mind, and both of these stone countertops offer high durability and stunning displays. They both come in many amazing patterns and colors. Granite is a natural stone that is mined and cut into slabs before it is polished and sold. Quartz is a naturally occurring element, however, the countertops we know as “quartz” are an engineered stone that consists of quartz crystals and colored pigments, and resin. Quartz still gives the appearance of real stone.
Both of these countertop options offer beautiful colors and textures, and they are perfectly durable for kitchen and bathroom counters. So what are the pros and cons?
Visual Differences Come Down to Taste
As with any material you choose in your home renovations, the visual appearances come down to simply what you like more. Many prefer the natural and unique look of a granite countertop. Various shades are common for them, such as black, brown, grey, blue, beige, green, white, and red. Quartz, over, has practically endless colors and textures. Since they are manmade, there are many different styles you can choose from. You can even get a marble look at a much lower price. So if you like the natural stone look, granite will be a great option. However, you can get much more creative designs with a quartz countertop.
Maintenance is Different For Each
Both countertops can be easily cleaned with light soap and water. There are gentler cleaners that are perfect for quartz, but an all-purpose cleaner might be too harsh for granite, Make sure to use a cleaner designed for granite, to prevent stains from forming. If a stain does occur, use a granite stain remover. Granite is much more porous than other countertops, so it will need to be resealed periodically. Typically, once a year will suffice.
Quartz, on the other hand, is nonporous. This means it repels food stains, oil, and coffee spills. Damaged quartz will need to be repaired by a professional, however.
When it comes to choosing the best countertop for your kitchen, you have many options. For stone countertops, the top contenders are quartz and granite. Aside from maintenance, the real difference is between your taste. Consult with a professional countertop expert to answer all of your questions and concerns regarding countertops!
