Quartz is amongst the most popular countertop materials due to its durability and non-porous, easy-to-clean nature. Aside from these benefits, quartz is also low-maintenance and comes in a wide range of colors, styles, and patterns.
1. Quartz. Quartz is undeniably one of the best countertop materials available in terms of both appearance and durability. While quartz countertops cost less than real marble, which they sometimes mimic, they are still a relatively expensive choice.
Marble tops the most-expensive list due in large part to its elegant looks. The good: It will instantly lift your kitchen or bathroom to another level. The bad: It requires some regular maintenance to ensure its legacy.
A granite's “grade” refers to the structural quality of the stone. Three levels of granite exist: Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3+. Level 1 is “low-grade” granite, while Level 3+ is “high-grade”. A dealer looks at several identifiers when assigning a granite grade to a slab of granite.
Level 3+: High-Grade Granite
This grade of granite has an incredibly unique appearance and is typically imported from India or Brazil. When it comes to a high-grade granite, the thickness is typically ¾ of an inch or more. It will also feature rare colors, patterns, and veins, for a true one-of-a-kind finish.
Level 2 is considered a mid-grade granite. You'll find that this granite has more color and variation in design compared to what you'll get with a level 1. This type of granite is typically sourced from India or Brazil and will have more patterns that most homeowners enjoy.
Overall, in the area of durability, quartz has the advantage over granite. If you invest in the granite that has been sealed with a resin-based product during manufacturing, it will be more resistant to damage than standard granite, but still not as resistant as quartz.
Generally, quartz is less expensive than granite, but many factors influence the total price of a project. In this article, we'll look at the differences between natural granite stone and engineered quartz stone and the factors that affect pricing so you can determine which material is best for your design project.
First choice is a premium grade level of quartz that has rich, vibrant colours, minimum veins, smooth finish, and almost looks like marble in some instances. The colours are rich, and it has a unique sparkle. It is also flawless on its finish, incredibly durable, but will come at a significant upfront investment.
FIRST CHOICE GRADE QUARTZ PRODUCTS
Colors are rich and brilliant, with few veins. Surface has a smooth finish that looks like marble. Costs range from $80 to $100+ per square foot. In pristine condition, with a distinct gleam.
Price: Per square-foot, marble is one of the most expensive countertop materials you can buy. It's far more expensive than butcher block, and even pricier than quartz or granite. Get a quote before you fall in love with marble—it might not be right for your remodel's budget.
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.
Quartz. Currently the most popular choice in kitchen countertops, homeowners choose quartz surfacing because of its many advantages. Quartz doesn't need to be sealed, and its seams blend very well.
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.
Made popular by Joanna Gaines, concrete countertops are a wonderful way to elevate a farmhouse chic kitchen or add a special touch to an industrial, modern kitchen.
There are differences in quartz countertop manufacturers. Different combinations of materials can produce higher or lower quality tops. However, even lesser quality quartz tops are still better than most countertop materials.
While it's true that quartz can be made thinner — and it sometimes is — the standard thickness is the same. Both natural stone and engineered quartz countertops have a standard thickness of 3 cm or about 1.25 inches.
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.
Quartz can be more expensive than other countertops but is generally cheaper than natural stone and other luxury options. It does require professional installation and can discolor when exposed to high temperatures and extensive heat for long periods.
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 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.
When choosing a natural stone option, granite is widely considered to be the best stone slab for kitchen countertops. It has a reputation as a premium stone material that will elevate your kitchen design. One of the most appealing features of granite countertops are their beauty.
Quartz is an engineered stone
Quartz is a man-made product that is made of 93% natural quartz and 7% resins. Such high quartz percentage is the reason why quartz is highly resistant to scratching. Granite is, unlike quartz, a natural stone, which makes it less resistant to other impacts, like resistance to staining.
High-Grade Granite Wins
High-grade granite, also known as Level 3+ granite, is usually the highest quality appearance-wise. Granite can have up to 6 or 7 levels and is generally imported from India/Brazil and has a thickness of at least ¾ inch.