When renovating your property, a few local countertop material options can spark heated debates over which is the better choice. Granite and quartz kitchen countertops, two of the most popular options in Seattle, fall under this category.
If you’ve recently renovated your home or are building yourself a brand new one, you’ll know that deciding on the perfect material for your kitchen and bathroom countertops can be daunting. After all, from durability to maintenance, you have to consider every aspect.
In this article, we’ll explore the famous quartz vs. granite countertops debate to check which material is more cost-effective so you can better decide with some detailed information.
What is Quartz?
While quartz is a natural mineral, engineered quartz is a manufactured stone that comprises 97% crushed quartz crystals and 3% resins. It’s available in various patterns, colors, and textures and can also be combined with glass and different reflective materials to achieve a sparkling finish. Top kitchen remodeling experts in Seattle share that since quartz is one of the hardest minerals on earth, it can prove to be an exemplary choice for your homes.
Pros And Cons of Using Quartz
Pros
1. Color and design options:
Quartz kitchen countertops have nearly unlimited colors available. The custom design options can include anything from simple patterns to complex imitations of marble or granite.
2. Easy to maintain:
The non-porous quartz surface requires no additional sealing or special care. Simple upkeep keeps it looking great for a long time.
3. Durable:
Quartz kitchen countertops can easily last a lifetime with minimal scratching, chipping, or cracking.
4. High Resale value:
As their popularity has increased as an affordable kitchen countertop option, so has their value in regards to buyer appeal when selling your home.
5. Contemporary:
Leading kitchen remodeling experts in Seattle reveal that quartz countertops look crisp and clean and are extremely rich in color and subtle in design, which helps them to fit the style needs of any modern kitchen.
Cons
1. Can Only Be Professionally installed:
With a sensitive material like quartz, Self installation is usually not recommended. So, it’s best to rely on specialists like MN Stoneworks, who bring professional tools, experience, and training for the best results.
2. Manufactured product:
Although most of the materials in quartz countertops are naturally occurring, the overall process of assembling them is not entirely natural. They can be prepared to mimic natural stone, but in true essence, they’re not.
What is Granite?
Granite is an igneous rock that forms below the earth’s surface due to the slow crystallization of magma. It’s light in color and has grains that are pretty large and very much visible to the naked eye.
Top kitchen countertop installation experts in Seattle reveal that, mainly composed of quartz and feldspar, this material gets its color from minerals, through which it receives its distinct color variations, including red, pink, grey, or white. Additionally, the presence of dark mineral grains visible in the stone adds to its unique aesthetic appeal.
Pros And Cons of Using Granite
Pros:
1. Durable:
Granite resists damage from heat and scratches better than almost all other types of kitchen countertop options. They also tend to last longer than most.
2. Resale value:
You can expect to recover around 25% of the recently installed granite countertops’ retail costs.
3. Natural:
Apart from the necessary post-installation sealing products and maintenance, granite is as natural a product as one can find.
4. Unique:
The best benefit of installing a granite countertop in your kitchen is that there hasn’t been, and never will be, another countertop that exactly matches yours.
Cons:
1. Maintenance:
To prevent staining, granite countertop options need annual sealing, which also helps minimize bacteria growth.
2. Installation:
Just like quartz, granite countertops also require professional installation from credible experts like MN Stoneworks.
3. Limited repair options:
Granite is difficult to damage, but if it does sustain significant damage, repairs can only be carried out by professionals.
Benefits of using Quartz over Granite
1. Quartz Is More Durable Than Granite
Even though granite countertops may seem like an incredibly strong material, they’re actually weaker than quartz kitchen countertops. While granite can easily withstand heat and physical impact, quartz is almost unbreakable and indestructible. Unlike granite, quartz isn’t porous, which makes it easier to clean and maintain.
2. It Provides an Eco-Friendly Solution
Granite has to be quarried and transported to your location before it can be used. If you are importing granite from another part of the world, the environmental cost can quickly add up. Because quartz countertops are engineered by people, they can be easily assembled in your geographic area by local fabricators at MN Stoneworks, making it an eco-friendly option for customers who want to reduce their environmental footprint.
3. Quartz Is Unlikely to Crack
Because of its strength and durability, quartz kitchen countertops are unlikely to chip or crack easily. However, even though it’s exceptionally sturdy, it doesn’t feel too unpleasantly hard to the touch. The non-porous surface of quartz resists stains, so it can withstand any oil, tomato juice, coffee, and wine you accidentally spill on it.
4. Quartz Offers Natural Beauty
Appearance can be highly subjective. Some people fall in love with the natural variations and patterns found in high-end granite countertops.
Quartz has become immensely popular in recent years because it has a stone-like look. Unlike other stones, it can be designed to match your color and design scheme. Because it is fabricated using state-of-the-art technology, it can be easily personalized to suit any room or design.
5. You Can Enjoy Minimal Maintenance Work
Most homeowners in Seattle are aware of how much work it takes to maintain a property. Once you install a wood deck, you must stain it every other year if you want it to last for a long time.
Luckily, affordable quartz countertops from MN Stoneworks need minimal maintenance to look and feel their best. Because quartz has such a solid surface, you never have to seal your countertops. The only little maintenance work it would require is to clean up spills.
Final Takeaway
If you have trouble choosing between quartz and granite countertops, then let professional kitchen remodeling and countertop installation experts at MN Stoneworks help!
We bring 15 years of experience in the quartz and natural stone industry, providing great service, quality, and value to our clients. With a large selection of granite, marble, and quartz kitchen countertop options to choose from, we can provide our consumers with premium choices, affordable rates, excellent customer service, and top-notch products. We have one of the fastest turnaround times from template to installation and stand behind our workmanship.
For more information about how we can provide you with granite, marble, quartz, and other specialty stone countertops, you can also visit our showroom in Auburn, WA. Contact us at 253-397-4785 to schedule an appointment with our team today.
