There are a few materials that, when used in house renovation, can lead to debates over which is superior. Quartz and granite unquestionably fit within this category. If you’ve recently revamped your home or bought new construction, you’ll realise that choosing the right material for your kitchen worktops can be an intimidating task. After all, every aspect must be taken into account, including durability, cost, and maintenance.
Let us compare granite and quartz kitchen worktops to find out which one is more efficient in terms of cost based on appearance, durability and maintenance. Both materials are frequently employed interchangeably, and you will be able to decide by reviewing more specific details about granite and quartz worktops.
The differences between quartz and granite worktops
1. Appearance: Granite vs Quartz kitchen worktops
Granite is available in a range of colours, from earthy tones as well as vibrant blues and greens. You may have to look for the right piece that is suited to the colour design of your kitchen.
Quartz is produced with additional pigments, which give the quartz a greater range of colours and more consistent colouration that allows for a more streamlined selection. These qualities affect the price of quartz kitchen worktops.
2. Quartz vs Granite Kitchen worktops Price
The price of kitchen remodelling could significantly increase because of quartz kitchen worktops because it is a man-made product, and the price is set by its manufacturer. The price of granite kitchen worktops varies depending on the supply. But, many factors, like the cost of shipping, difficulty in quarrying, etc., can unexpectedly alter the cost of quarrying.
3. Environmental Impact
It’s a debatable matter. Since it is sourced locally, quartz could be more eco-friendly. Granite, on the other hand, is required to be bought from the location in which it is mined, which is usually in a different country. This can increase the cost of granite worktops per square foot.
Furthermore, granite isn’t contaminated by any synthetic resins, so it is more sustainable for the natural environment. Chemical resins are employed to make quartz. The final decision isn’t yet reached.
4. Composition: Quartz vs Granite kitchen worktops
Quartz can be described as an engineered stone, and its worktops are manufactured. The worktops are made up of 93%-95 percent quartz that is powdered together with other minerals and colouring agents. And at last, comes the resin that holds everything together.
The granite kitchen worktops are created of 100% natural granite, which are dug out, shaped and then installed. This is why comparatively granite kitchen worktops cost lower than quartz kitchen worktops.
5. DIY Suitability
Both worktop materials require expert professional installation. Quartz and granite are both massive and heavy. They require precise cuts that are only created using specialised tools and skilled labour.
6. Maintenance and Durability: Granite vs Quartz Kitchen worktops
i. Sealing Upon Installation
Granite is porous; it requires sealing after installation. It requires regular maintenance, which increases the total granite worktops per square foot over the long term. Quartz, however, on the contrary, does not require sealing because it already uses resins in the process of creating slabs.
ii. Breakage or Cracking
Granite worktops are prone to cracking due to inherent flaws. Quartz is a homogeneous material throughout, so it hardly ever forms fissures.
iii. Staining
Quartz Kitchen worktops are durable and non-porous, they’re more resistant to staining compared to granite kitchen worktops.
iv. Microbial Resistance
Quartz is more resistant to colonisation by bacteria than granite because of its resins, which make it impervious and tough.
V. Resistance to heat
A granite worktop that is properly sealed is more durable to temperatures of extreme heat than quartz worktops. Quartz worktops are a bit more susceptible to damage when you place a hot pan or pot when compared to granite worktops.
Conclusion
If you’re deciding between granite and quartz, which one should you select? If you like the imperfections of nature and would like your kitchen worktops to be unique, granite is the best material for you. However, If you’d like your kitchen worktops to look perfect and properly matched without lines, then we advise that you select quartz. It’s all about the style you prefer, as well as the budget you have set.
If you’re having difficulty deciding between quartz and granite kitchen worktops, Let us assist you! Contact DialAWorkTop London for a consultation today.