Countertops tend to be some of the surfaces used most frequently, and thus end up subject to the most significant amount of wear and tear. As such, it is very important to install the right material for the way you use your space. Oftentimes, the countertop material that someone chooses is entirely based on the look of the material; looks, however, can be deceiving. This is particularly true of marble, which is so porous that it not only gathers bacteria easily, but also gets damaged with only light use. Many of the more attractive materials can be stained, scratched, or otherwise damaged due to their properties. Here at Dovetailed by design, we stand by the use of quartz and granite, given that they have the perfect attributes for kitchen and bath installation. Below, we discuss the traits that each material has so that you can decide for yourself which you would prefer.
Quartz
Quartz is a fascinating material for your counters, as it is created by largely man-made means. While it uses ninety-five percent ground quartz material, it is combined with another five percent polymer resin to act as adhesive for the material. Because it is formed in this way, it has vast potential for customization while still giving the appearance of naturally-occurring stone. It does not, however, form uniquely. If one person orders a certain style of quartz, it will typically look exactly the same as another ordered piece of that quartz style. One thing to note is that the price of quartz installation can vary significantly, most often sitting between $1,500 to $5,500 in price. This is due to the high weight of quartz requiring a professional installer to ensure that nothing is damaged during remodeling efforts. Otherwise, quartz is actually vastly easier in terms of maintenance. It is not porous, meaning it will not absorb bacteria easily, nor scratch. The only thing to keep in mind is that it is not extremely heat resistant, so use heat resistant pads for anything that leaves a hot oven or stove. Finally, quartz is a very good alternative for those who are concerned with environmental impact, as it can oftentimes be locally sourced and does not require large quarries.
Granite
Granite, on the other hand, is a fully natural stone, polished after extraction to leave a sleek shine. While this means it is quarried - which oftentimes has a negative environmental impact - it is still an extremely popular and cost-effective option for countertops. Regarding appearance, granite is as unique as each snowflake on a snowy day. No two countertops will be alike. This is an attractive selling point for a number of homeowners, as it makes much more of a statement than the more engineered quartz. Typical Granite can cost between $2,000 to $4,000 from purchase to installation. Granite is, however, a bit less durable than Quartz because since it is natural, it is also a bit more porous. As far as upkeep, it is a good consideration to get the counters resealed every couple of years. Otherwise, it is an easily manageable and extremely attractive material for your counters!
Whichever you pick, both granite and quartz are excellent options for both kitchen and bathroom countertops. They are manageable, durable, and cost effective options for anyone looking into remodeling or designing a space.