This material is often referred to in the industry as quartz, but the name engineered stone gives you a better idea of what it is. Unlike natural stone countertops that are cut from pure granite, marble or sandstone, engineered stone counters are made from quartz crystals held together with a resin binder.
Many of today's countertops contain synthetic materials, but granite countertop slabs are truly a natural stone. Only "cultured granite" products consist of man-made material. Every slab of genuine granite is different and has its own one-of-a-kind pattern.
Look at the Seam
With a manmade countertop, there will be almost no shift in the flow of the pattern between the slabs at the seam. With granite, there will be a noticeable change in the pattern from one slab to the other at the seam.
Three of the most popular types of kitchen counter materials—solid surface, quartz, and slab granite—look alike and have many of the same properties. The stone-like appearance and homogeneous composition found in granite are engineered into solid surface and quartz countertops.
Quartz countertops are one of the best alternatives to granite counters in terms of durability, aesthetic appeal, functionality, and versatility.
Engineered stone quartz is an ideal option if you don't have the budget but want the natural stone appearance of marble or granite. This type of countertop material is made of about 90 percent quartz particles, mixed with other minerals to create a strong, durable product that is resistant to staining.
To identify granite, do a scratch test. Take a knife blade, and try scratching the surface (in an inconspicuous place). If it's hard to scratch, then it's likely to be granite (or some type of igneous rock). If you are able to scratch the stone it is either marble or limestone.
Porcelain countertops, concrete, recycled glass, and laminate are some of the more popular man-made countertop choices that are not stone. When speaking of man-made “stone,” more often than not people are referring to quartz countertops. Quartz can also be referred to as engineered stone.
Granite is a type of igneous rock. This broad category of rocks forms when hot, molten rock cools down — as the rock cools, it crystallizes and solidifies. To identify an igneous rock that could be granite, look for rocks with crystals. Look for shiny, flat surfaces within the rock — these are the crystal faces.
Prefabricated granite is still granite. It's just been cut to standard sizes before being shipped to the distributor. They are suitable in situations where multiple pieces are required and all the pieces must be of the same size.
Made primarily from non-renewable resources like acrylic, and polyester resins, the production and manufacturing of synthetic countertops are very energy-intensive, and the materials are not recyclable. Natural stone, on the other hand, is Mother Nature's original “green” building material…
Embossed laminates, cultured granite and faux granite finishes are all less expensive than natural stone but in every case their beauty is only skin deep. Cultured granite is a cast polymer, a mixture of an unsaturated polyester resin, chip and dust (recycled stone particles), fillers and pigments.
While some natural granite or marble stones can be even in colour, there should be slight variations in the veins and texture, and these 'imperfections' are key for spotting genuine stone. Fake or engineered stone will commonly have repeating patterns and identically even colouring throughout.
Formica and granite are two different countertop materials. Formica is made from paper or fabric combined with a melamine resin, while granite is a natural stone. Like Formica, granite tends to be durable and comes in a wide variety of different styles. However, granite is usually more expensive.
Although engineered and natural granite are both strong and extremely durable, one benefit of an engineered granite countertop is that it is almost impossible to chip or crack. It's also highly resistant to heat, staining and scratches, which makes it the perfect surface for today's busy lifestyles.
If you don't want to replace your countertops with granite, consider quartz, quartzite, marble, concrete, or the many other options from which homeowners can choose.
Epoxy countertops cost $50 to $150 per square foot installed, while quartz countertops cost $50 to $200 per square foot and granite countertops cost $80 to $150 per square foot. Epoxy is cheaper and easier to maintain than granite but is harder to install than a stone slab.
Both materials are very durable and enhance interior designs and functionality, but which one costs less? Generally, quartz is less expensive than granite, but many factors influence the total price of a project.
Granite consists of silica and alumina as the main compound, which is nonmagnetic. Thus rock granite shows no response to the magnetic field.
On the other hand, quartz is bound in resin, which means it doesn't have the same crystalline structure or fissures found in granite. This gives quartz a much smoother texture. It should also be noted that quartz that is more polished or glossier is a result of finely ground quartz.
It just looks like a solid piece of ordinary rock. The most common colors of granite are white, pink, yellow, grey, and black, primarily because of its composition. Quartz is milky white, feldspar is white, potassium feldspar is pink, biotite is black or brown, muscovite is yellow, and amphibole is green.
Granite is composed mainly of quartz and feldspar with minor amounts of mica, amphiboles, and other minerals. This mineral composition usually gives granite a red, pink, gray, or white color with dark mineral grains visible throughout the rock.
Ceramic and porcelain tile are among the most affordable varieties and come in a wide range of colors and patterns, including designs that mimic granite and other stone. Natural stone tiles are pricier than ceramic but are much more affordable than slab granite or marble.
Granite countertops are produced from purely natural stone that comes directly from stone quarries and is then cut into thin slabs, polished, and fabricated into countertops. Quartz countertops are engineered stone products that may contain a large percentage of natural quartz but may also include other minerals.