Most of us may get confused when having to choose between granite and quartz kitchen worktops. If the confusion tends to persist even after visiting countless websites and having many consultations with design experts, the only way to clear the same would be to have a comparative study of both materials and choose the best one for the kitchen. This article aims to do just that, by providing certain questions one will find useful when comparing both materials.
Question 1: What is the main difference between quartz and granite?
Granite is a naturally occurring stone, which forms when the magma located below the earth’s crust crystallizes. The colour and pattern on the granite surface can vary from region to region owing to differing mineral compositions. Once it is formed, the material is cut into slabs of required sizes and then polished with the help of diamond-tipped tools that impart the shine and sheen that make granite kitchen worktops so famous. Formation of natural granite usually takes a few thousand million years.
Quartz is another natural material that follows a similar formation process. However, the natural quartz crystal is extracted from the ground via mining, reduced to very fine sand particles and then mixed with a bonding resin that makes the particles bind together, resulting in engineered quartz. This binding property is what makes quartz non-porous and less susceptible to bacterial infections. In contrast with natural granite, quartz stone (or engineered quartz), is made by machinery under industrial conditions.
Question 2: Which material is better for kitchen worktops?
While granite and quartz worktops direct may share similarities when it comes to feel and look, they do have their share of differences. Even though granite surfaces extremely resistant, they may be more likely to show stains and scratches than quartz stone. This is because as with any natural material, the mineral composition of the slab will vary from block to block, making each piece unique in the process. Furthermore, granite requires sealing once every two or three years ensuring its surfaces remain non-porous. Luckily, this is a fairly simple and inexpensive process with products that can be purchased online,
Quartz, on the other hand, requires minimal to no maintenance. The anti-bacterial properties of quartz also make it more favourable for those who prefer to prepare food on the worktop surface.
Quartz also wins hands down when it comes to exhibiting durability in the long run. Being resistant to heat, impacts, abrasions and scratches, quartz worktop UK are ideal for kitchens that experience a lot of cooking and food preparation activities.
Question 3: Which material would cost less, granite or quartz?
When the cost variant is taken into consideration, it is just a matter of getting what you pay for. Both quartz and granite worktops UK are long-term investments for any kitchen. When it comes to granite, the darker the surface, the more durable it tends to be. Quartz, on the other hand, remains durable no matter how dark or light is the shade. It is challenging to directly compare prices of quartz vs granite although as a rough guide, you may wish to know that they carry similar costs on per metre basis. The main consideration is taken by the scarcity of the granite (which would make it more expensive) vs the look of the quartz stone which entails the technology employed to manufacture the surface. In addition, since granite is heavier than engineered quartz, the natural stone is more labour intensive than the latter.
Question 4: What about the personal appeal?
Personal appeal surely plays an important role in choosing a suitable material for the kitchen worktop. While quartz may have its advantages, it is available in fewer shades and variants than granite. Additionally, natural granite can be found in pretty incredible patterns and shades, which are unique to the block of stone, meaning that there is no other granite piece like the one you choose for your kitchen. Therefore, those wishing to impart a classic, timeless appeal to the kitchen are better off with granite worktops direct.
Those favouring durability and consistency over looks can choose quartz, which imparts a more modern appeal to the kitchen with its consistency in terms of colours and smoothness. It is imperative to weigh the pros and cons of both materials when choosing the right worktop material for your kitchen.
Published by Jesus Alberto Mouzo on August 26, 2019
