If for any reason the sealant on the counter becomes compromised, your countertop can harbor germs and easily stain. While some people seal their granite countertops every three years, I recommend doing it yearly. Why? Because granite is a porous material, which means it can harbor bacteria, germs, mold, and other unhealthy things in its nooks and crannies. Granite countertops need to be sealed. You need to seal them when they’re installed and every year afterwards. It’s a beautiful stone, for sure, but it might not be the beautiful stone you were imagining. Even the sample you see probably won’t look like what you end up installing in your home. Granite doesn’t offer color consistency. Remember how I said “one of kind” is a pro and a con? Well, on the con side, this means the appearance isn’t uniform. So why would I consider this a pro? Well, many people like the concept of exclusivity-they like the idea that no one else will have the exact same countertop as they have. For others, this is a con, so I’m going to include it in both lists. Granite is one-of-a-kind. Yep, I’m going to use the word unique, because each granite slab is exactly that. And if you happen to spill red wine on it (oh, the horror!), it will stain. But, just like quartz, it’s not indestructible (it can break or chip if abused). It’s still a strong stone and extremely durable. Granite isn’t as strong as quartz, but that doesn’t mean it’s a wimpy choice, either. ![]() It’s 100% natural, which is why it’s such a popular choice with homeowners, designers, and architects. Seams tend to stand out on solid colors while patterns help conceal them. You can expect to see seams with a quartz counter, but they will be less visible if you choose a slab that has more patterns. Quartz countertops can discolor over time when exposed to direct sunlight. For this reason, we don’t recommend quartz surfacing for use outdoors, since you’ll see the difference in color over time. Quartz colors are uniform. What you see in the showroom or from a sample is what you can expect to see in your home. Quartz countertops are stain-resistant, so dropping a glass of wine on them simply requires a damp cloth to clean (NOT that you’ll be spilling any wine, right?). Bottom line: quartz is incredibly easy to clean and maintain. Quartz surfacing is non-porous and doesn’t require any sealing.A non-porous material is a huge benefit because that means you don’t need to worry about bacteria and other germs growing in any nooks and crannies. ![]() Quartz’s inherent strength makes it extremely durable. That said, don’t confuse “durable” with “indestructible”-there’s no material like that. ![]() This makes them easier to work with during the fabrication and installation process. Quartz countertops are stronger and more flexible than granite. Quartz is one of the strongest materials on the planet. Fabricators create quartz countertops in much the same way as they do granite countertops: by cutting the shapes from the slab and then profiling and polishing the edges. Quartz, on the other hand, is an “engineered” stone, meaning a manufacturing plant uses various grades and sizes of quartz crystals and mixes them with resin and pigment (for color) in a ratio of 93% quartz to 7% resin (yes, we’ll still refer to quartz as natural stone, but it’s not as natural as granite). Fabricators cut shapes from the slabs according to your countertop specifications. These blocks are then sliced into slabs and polished on one side at the quarry before being shipped to the broker or fabricator. Natural stone-granite-is indeed 100% natural since it is quarried directly from the earth in large blocks. Engineered Stone: Understanding the Difference So it’s not an “either/or” scenario for us either. Problem is, you’re not sure what the difference is.ĭon’t worry: We are here clear things up.īefore We get started, however, it’s important for us to say this: when it comes to Kitchen countertop materials, don’t get hung up on which one is the so-called “best.” Figure out which countertop material is best for you-your lifestyle, your overall design vision, your budget.Īfter all, at CommonWealth kitchens | Baths we feature both quartz and natural stone (in addition to solid surfaces). You keep hearing about two popular surfacing materials: natural stone (which people typically refer to as granite) and quartz. You’re browsing places like Pinterest and Houzz and asking friends on Facebook and Twitter. Granite countertop : Which One Comes Out on Top? So maybe you’re at that point in your renovation where you’re considering materials for the all-important Kitchen countertop.
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