Not only are granite surfaces beautiful, but they also hold up well against spilled substances, knife cuts and hot pots and pans. They also require minimal daily maintenance to keep them looking their best, even for the messiest of chefs.
Quartz (Engineered Stone)
It's an easy-to-clean material that is resistant to mold, mildew, and bacteria, making it a great choice for the kitchen where food is prepared. Due to the non-porous design, you don't need to worry about sealing the countertop regularly.
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.
Marble has long been the baker's surface of choice, but it can scratch if you aren't careful. Granite is another great choice since it is heat and water resistant. Finally, quartz is gaining in popularity.
In short, marble is the go-to countertop for those who love baking because it has a natural ability to maintain a cool temperature, thus keeping the dough cool. On top of this, it is non-porous when you have it properly sealed, it is resistant to bacteria and easy and simple to maintain.
Quartz is the best countertop material for those who love to cook and bake. Because quartz is an engineered stone, it can withstand up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, making it ideal for those who spend a lot of time in the kitchen, handling hot pots, pans, and the like.
Quartz is the most durable countertop material. A perfect choice for any kitchen or bathroom, quartz countertops contain a mixture of crushed quartz and resin. These materials create diverse appearance options that range from vibrant, customizable colors to the tried-and-true natural finish.
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.
As a countertop material, stainless steel is as low-maintenance as it gets. No sealing or refinishing is ever required, and cleaning is easy with mild soap products. These countertops work very well in the kitchen or bath since they won't be stained by food, juice, facial cleansers, etc.
1. Quartz. Currently the most popular choice in kitchen countertops, homeowners choose quartz surfacing because of its many advantages.
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.
Quartz wins as the most durable material for any kitchen construction or renovation. Having a durable countertop is a lifelong investment and if you plan to sell your home at some point in the future, its value will be higher if you've used a durable countertop like quartz.
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.
Other than perhaps stainless steel, no countertop is 100% stain proof. Quartz is the most stain resistant material because it is engineered with ground-up natural stone and resin. This creates a non-porous material that is highly stain resistant. Quartz is also easy to maintain as no sealer is required.
White marble will always be an elegant choice for kitchen countertops, but if the maintenance and potential for staining has you worrying about its longevity, consider butcher block. The go-to choice for farmhouse kitchens, butcher block will wear beautifully over the years, and you can prepare food directly on it.
Man-made materials like laminate or stainless steel countertops rank among the easiest countertops to maintain in the short term, as they may simply require wiping down with mild dish soap and warm water. In the long run, however, laminate countertops aren't nearly as durable as those with natural stone components.
You Can't Set Hot Pans on Them
Although quartz countertops are extremely durable and considered heat-resistant, putting a hot pan right on the surface can damage the material. As with most other countertops, you'll need to use a trivet or stove mitt to protect it, as heat can cause discoloration and/or cracking.
Granite and quartz offer much more heat resistance, with granite being the most heat-friendly. It's still best to use heating pads and avoid direct heat to protect your countertops, but the risk is far less than with laminate.
The undisputed, unbeaten champion of the Porous Test, quartz is non-porous. Quartz's non-porous nature allows it to resist staining much better than granite, marble and concrete. Quartz can repel the harshest spills, from juice to oil to tomatoes, coffee and more.
No sealing: Unlike granite and marble, quartz countertops never need to be chemically sealed. The idea of rolling dough on counters treated with harsh chemicals makes our stomachs lurch. That's why quartz is a baker's choice – quartz counters are one more way to keep your family chemical-free.
The short answer is “yes, but you probably shouldn't.” Because of granite's heat tolerance, you can take a hot pan directly out of the oven and put it directly on your countertop. Granite is naturally heat resistant, and heat damage would occur only if the granite was heated unevenly.
Well, that's because of the unique trait of marble countertops, which is its ability to stay cool amidst the sweating atmosphere in your pantry. Even if you survey the famous pastry chefs around town, they would highly recommend any type of marble countertops for your baking and pastry area.