Counterfeit products are available in almost every market. With many types of granite countertops in the market, it can be challenging to spot fake granite at first. You must be careful when choosing a granite countertop to avoid getting duped.
Testing the porosity of the granite is an easy way to tell if it is fake or not. Natural granite is porous, and therefore will absorb water that is spilled on the surface (unless it has recently been sealed). On the other hand, fake granite will be non-porous.
Liquid granite, which can also be known as synthetic granite, isn't stone at all. The term is used for a particular type of extra-strong concrete developed by Sheffield Hallam University, and also for a technique for pouring and decorating concrete to make it look like granite.
Laminate countertops are an inexpensive, low-maintenance alternative to pricey stone and solid-surface countertops, and they are available in many styles that mimic expensive surfaces such as granite or marble.
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.
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
Quartz is one of the strongest materials you can use, making it one of the best-value countertops available. Both scratch- and stain-resistant, quartz countertops can look brand new for years even after withstanding heavy usage.
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.
Laminate is the most affordable material for use in countertops. It comes in a wide variety of colors and styles, many of which are created to look like granite, marble or other high-end materials. Most laminate countertops are attractive and surprisingly durable.
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.
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.
Engineered granite, on the other hand, covers all these bases—and then some. This man-made product is composed primarily of natural stone with a small amount of polymer resin, which binds the material together to make it strong—much stronger than natural granite.
With advances in technology, laminate now can give you the look and feel of stone, wood, or any other natural surface. And hundreds of laminate color and pattern combinations are available. There are laminate countertops that look like granite, as you will see in our list below.
One of the biggest hallmarks of quality for a slab of granite is simply how it looks. Unique colors and patterns will earn a higher grade than more standard appearances. Higher quality granite is also less likely to have flaws, pits, cracks, and other imperfections.
Granite is naturally heat resistant, and heat damage would occur only if the granite was heated unevenly. So briefly putting a hot pan down on your granite countertop isn't going to cause long-term damage. That said, we don't recommend putting hot pans on granite countertops — not for the granite's sake but for yours.
One of the main reasons quartz has exploded in popularity is due to appearance. Quartz has the look of stone while also allowing homeowners to customize the design. While granite offers many options in terms of appearance, you may have to search for the right piece that matches your color scheme.
Granite is often cited as the most durable natural countertop material and is known for resisting cracks and chips. However, as a manufactured material, quartz rates a bit higher on the hardness scale and is slightly more resistant to damage.
You could be considering finishing, maintenance, staining, durability, color, or any other of the number of aspects that come with different countertop options. But when it comes to specific interests, namely doing high level cooking in the kitchen, top chefs in the world prefer granite countertops.
With a long-lasting and robust material, you can be sure that you won't need to make another large investment anytime soon. Quartz wins as the most durable material for any kitchen construction or renovation.
1. Quartz. Currently the most popular choice in kitchen countertops, homeowners choose quartz surfacing because of its many advantages.
Reasons to be Cautious about Granite Countertops
Granite is porous. This means that unsealed or poorly sealed counters can absorb wine, juice or oil, producing a stain that might be impossible to remove. A poorly-sealed countertop can also harbor bacteria in its pores.
Each slab of granite is different, so it may not be a good choice if you prefer a completely uniform look. Granite itself is expensive, and the labor-intensive installation can run three times more than the cost of the material. Granite can be permanently stained if you seal it with a preexisting stain.
Quartz countertops are the easiest natural stone to take care of. They are engineered using ground stone and resin, so they don't require regular sealing they way most granite and marble countertops do. This stone is non-porous, so it does not easily stain or etch.