Deciding between quartz versus granite countertops is a huge choice. It can be hard to decide for your Countertops Denver. In this case, you should look into what your home needs from the countertops. There are huge differences between quartz and granite countertops and the best qualities of each type of stone.
What is Quartz?
Quartz is an abundant natural stone. When it is placed into a countertop it is considered “engineered”. This is because they are created from crushed quartz crystals combined with resin and other synthetic materials.
The color and pattern of a quartz countertop are man-made and designed. Because of this, it is sometimes thought not to be as beautiful as granite. It is also cheaper. Because it is manufactured, quartz can come in virtually any color. This means you can easily color match.
Although quartz countertops resemble natural stone, the pattern and hues are much more uniform. This means no flaws, and seams are less noticeable.
What is Granite?
Granite is a pure, natural stone mined. It is always from quarries in whole slabs or tiles. From these slabs, granite countertops are cut and polished. The actual stone remains untouched, and because they are completely natural, they are always one of a kind. The color can depend on where it is found, but it will range from earth tones to bright colors such as red, green, and other gemstones.
Slabs may have natural variations in their color and pattern, but these differences are what make people fall in love with the stone. Professional installation is necessary with granite.
Similarities and Differences
Both granite and quartz countertops are in high demand for their strength and resilience. Granite often gets more chipped and cracked, but the natural striations are grooves formed in stone from movements in the earth. This makes them special. Granite is also porous and can absorb stains from oils, wine, and other common kitchen messes. As a comparison, quartz makes the stone nonporous, and it is also solid and flexible. With excessive heat, it can damage both it and granite.
Because it’s porous, granite needs to be sealed and resealed every year. This helps it to avoid stains. Using black or brown may help to avoid these stains, but you need to be careful of what you put on granite. It is best to clean its surface with mild soap and water or a daily granite cleaner. Quartz does not need to be sealed and it will not absorb stains or bacteria. In many cases, manufacturers add an antibacterial coating to further protect the countertop. Generally, quartz and granite countertops are priced similarly per square foot, but granite counters have a wider variation in price. Granite can be more expensive than quartz at times, because of color and pattern, but in some cases, quartz is more expensive due to the treatments it receives during manufacturing.