What's The Difference Between Quartz And Granite Countertops?

Are you looking to remodel your kitchen, and one thing you are focusing on is the type of kitchen countertop material that you will be installing? You may have narrowed your selection down to either quartz or granite and are now having a problem picking between the two of them. Here is what you should know about these two countertop materials. 

Cost

If you think you can make a decision based on the cost of the material, know that the two practically cost the same. When you look at the raw cost of raw materials and installation, both quartz and granite should be about equal, meaning that you need to look at other factors to determine which one you want for your home. 

Maintenance

A huge benefit of quartz is that the material is nonporous. This means that liquids, bacteria, and other things that end up on the countertop are not going to get into the material because it naturally has a seal that prevents this. Meanwhile, granite doesn't have the same benefits due to being a porous material. You will have to seal the material so that it has a protective layer that doesn't allow liquids or bacteria to get inside. If you are up for remembering to perform this regular maintenance, then granite should be fine and on par with quartz.

Look

A quartz countertop can look very clean and contemporary when you want a countertop with white and gray colors. It is simply one of the benefits of having a macine-made material because you can design a look that meets the style of kitchens these days. Meanwhile, granite is a naturally made material that must be sourced from nature, and the color and patterns are unique from different slabs of granite. While you can find lighter colors, you won't be able to have control over what type of granite material is out there. Some people like this because then they have a unique countertop material that can't be reproduced, while others want something very specific and struggle to find it with granite. 

Heat Resistance

One big difference between quartz and granite is that granite is heat resistant. This means that you can put a hot pan down indirectly on the countertop material and not worry about it causing damage. While quartz is considered a more durable material because it is nonporous, it is more likely to be damaged by extreme heat and requires that you use a trivet when resting hot pans on it. 

Reach out to a professional to learn more about quartzite countertops.