Are you planning to replace your countertops? Be it for a kitchen or bathroom, granite is one of the top expensive choices people make when remodeling their homes. At the same time, when countertops get chipped, cracked, or worn out, that’s when homeowners take advantage of replacing them with more beautiful and elegant stones. The question is, are you up to the expense of buying granite material? Have you heard of another similar alternative such as the quartz? Then read on to learn how to choose: Quartz versus Granite!
The latest alternative to the expensive granite countertops are the quartz countertops! Quartz provides that similar look of granite at a cheaper price. In terms of quality, it’s also almost as durable as granite. Quartz countertops are made up of different size quartz crystals. There are the coarse grains of quartz as big as a rock salt. These quartz crystals are combined with coloring and bonding agents. These compounds are processed through heating and vibro-compacting. Then it is made into a very durable and impenetrable surface. This surface is perfect for kitchen countertops as they don’t crack or develop fissures. What’s great about quartz too is that it can withstand moisture, water, and even bacteria! Bacteria cannot penetrate quartz but can develop on the surface if it is left there. So it doesn’t mean you don’t have to clean or maintain your countertops anymore. On the other hand, a lot of quartz countertops being produced today already have built in Microbans which prevent bacteria growth on the countertops. Thus, it is now being recommended for use in big commercial kitchens. You can find such countertops by Cosentino and Cambria.
Granite versus Quartz
It’s true that granite still has the edge when it comes to that high-end kitchen countertop look. However, quartz is slowly moving up to level with granite because it offers more choices. Quartz is finished with a high-gloss sheen or surface. On the other hand, there are some quartz countertops that can be added with soft and leathered patina. The edges of the quartz go from the simple bevels like that of granite, up to other edge finishes like ogee and bull nose. When it comes to the weight, quartz seems to be heavier than granite. Quartz is made to be denser to make it as strong and tough as the granite. Thus, it is complicated to fabricate or install quartz countertops. You should hire fully trained, certified, and experienced professionals to do the job for you. However, as compared to granite, quartz is still easier to cut and handle. You can get great looking quartz countertops from leading manufacturers and suppliers of kitchen countertops and granite countertops nationwide.