Granite Countertops

If you are planning to remodel your current kitchen or are in the midst of building your dream home you may be trying to decide between quartz and granite countertops. The decision of what material to use for your countertops is an important one both for aesthetic appeal and function. They are not easy to simple take out and replace if you change your mind so it is important that you select the one that will best fit your home. Choosing between quartz and granite can be difficult because many people don’t really know the difference between the two.

Real Stone or Kind of Stone?

For some people it is very important that the materials in their homes are as natural as possible. If you are one of these people and you care whether the material for your countertops is 100 percent stone, the decision between quartz and granite is easy. All quartz and most granite countertops are what is referred to as “engineered”. Engineered stone countertops are comprised of 93% of the natural stone. The remaining 3% is made up of additives such as color pigmentation and polymer resins. These resins are what keep the particles of the stone together. Either of these choices would not be appropriate if you require your materials to be entirely natural. However, there is another option. Granite does come in a slab form, which does not contain any fillers. This is the natural option for countertops.

Cost and Durability

It is important to select materials for your home that are not only affordable but will remain beautiful and functional for a long period of time. When you are selecting between quartz and granite countertops you will want to compare both the cost of the material with its durability. As for cost, these materials have a relatively equal cost. As for durability, they do vary.

Engineered quartz and granite are both highly durable materials. Because of the additives that are put in the stone to keep the particles together, these stones resist breaking and wearing down. Slab granite, on the other hand, features natural flaws that in one instance enhance the beauty and intrigue of the stone. Conversely, these flaws are sometimes striations that are not readily visible but act like tiny fault lines in the stone. At some point these stones may split, cracking the rest of the stone. When it comes to durability, the engineered versions of stone countertops are less likely to break and will last longer.