When you are looking to renovate the kitchen it can be difficult to decide on the best surface for the countertop. Some of the most appealing choices include the granite and quartz materials. Both of these give great durability and can look beautiful when professionally install in the home. Many homeowners have a preference for stone for a variety of reasons, such as the unique look with plenty of patterns and colors. Quartz is a man-made material that is made to closely resemble the natural stone look and is seeing significant growth in popularity. Granite is a completely natural type of stone and is rated as one of the finest choices to use when updating the home.
Here is an overview of the differences between the man-made quartz and natural granite:
Appearance
Similar to most types of materials, the visual appearance of quartz and granite comes down to a matter of personal taste. Granite is highly favored by those that prefer the unique and natural look of stone. But, for those that want more control over color and patterns, the quartz material is favored because it is possible to create a specific color or pattern at the time of manufacturing.
Durability
Granite is rated highly as a natural stone that can resist chips and cracks from everyday use. It is one of the most durable natural materials to use in the home. However, the quartz is slightly more resilient to damage like chips and cracks and gets a higher rating than the comparable natural stone.
Maintenance
The clean and attractive look of the granite material is quite easy to preserve with a regular application of sealant. This should be performed at least once yearly to prevent stains marking the natural material. For the existing dings or scratches in the surface, this is usually easy to repair by applying a standard color-matching resin or epoxy. But for the larger cracks in the surface, it is more practical to use the services of a professional installer. The man-made quartz is made to be non-porous and therefore able to stop food or liquid spills from causing damage. However, the quartz material is generally more difficult to repair and is best left to the professionals.
Installation
The quartz and granite countertops are difficult to handle and extremely heavy, so it benefits to rely on the services of the professional installers. Plus, if it is necessary to cut a hole in the stone for the sink this can be very difficult for those that don’t have prior experience.
