When you picture your dream kitchen, what comes to mind? Maybe you’ve flipped through kitchen design magazines or filled your Pinterest boards with beautiful inspiration photos. You probably have an idea of what styles you like, but maybe you’re overwhelmed with the choices. When it comes to kitchen countertops, there are so many options, and it can be difficult to sort them all out and determine which is best for you. For years now, two of the most popular choices have been and continue to be quartz and granite countertops. But you may be wondering just what the difference is. Here, we’ll explore both granite and quartz countertops– what are they exactly, and how are they different?
First of all, let’s look at how they are made. Both granite and quartz come from natural stone. Granite is a solid slab of rock carved and chiseled out of quarries in one solid piece, then polished and fashioned into a kitchen countertop. Quartz is made by a process of combining quartz stones that have been harvested from the earth, crushing them, and pressing them together with resin and polymer to create a solid slab. This means that granite is considered completely natural, while quartz is considered man-made (even though the natural quartz material should make up at least 90 percent of the slab).
Another key difference is that granite countertops are porous. This means they need to be sealed so that bacteria cannot be absorbed and trapped in the stone. The porous surface can also be easily stained by materials like wine, tomato sauce, coffee, or cooking oils. This is why it is very important to seal granite countertops anywhere from every 6 months to 2 years. You can test the seal by dropping some water on the counter and letting it sit for 10-15 minutes. If there is any darkening of the stone (the water absorbs), it needs to be sealed. If the water pools on the countertop and doesn’t darken or penetrate the stone, then your seal should be good. Because quartz is made using resin and polymer, it is already sealed and never needs to be sealed again. This makes it an excellent choice if you’re looking for low-maintenance countertops.
Finally, the look of granite is very different from that of quartz. Granite countertops will typically have a wide variety of patterns and movement. Because each piece is harvested directly from the earth, no two are alike. If you want something truly unique, granite is the way to go! Quartz, on the other hand, can be manufactured to include seemingly endless colors, patterns, and styles. Some people prefer quartz because they feel granite is a little “busy”. If you prefer a more minimalist style, quartz might be a better option. It can even be made to have the stunning look of marble without the care and maintenance of marble.
At Creative Granite Group, we are here to help you wade through all of the options and weigh the pros and cons so that you can make an informed decision. We would love the opportunity to work with you so that we can help make your kitchen dreams a reality!