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.
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.
Quartz is actually harder than granite and thus, more durable. In fact, quartz is nearly indestructible, and because it isn't porous like granite, it's easy to keep your countertops relatively bacteria-free.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
Everything from white granite and black granite countertops to granite slabs has fallen out of style. The second reason granite countertops have lost their appeal is that the preference for light, simple kitchens has replaced the trend of dark, warm kitchens. Designers quit wanting “movement” and instead wanted peace.
Artificial Stone May Crack or Discolor Under a Hot Pan
If you place a hot cast iron on an artificial stone, it could potentially crack or discolor, though it's very unlikely to burn.
Quartz material is uniform throughout, which means the material rarely cracks. Staining: The resins in quartz countertops make them considerably more resistant to staining than granite.
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.
Butcher block countertops typically cost a lot less than granite countertops. For one thing, granite installation often comes with higher labor costs, since it is a heavier, more unwieldy material.
Chakra Beige Quartz looks like granite with its rich grays, soft creams, and warm rust tones. You may not realize that quartz is actually stronger than granite, which means you'll end up with a more durable product that's virtually indestructible.
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.
# Absolute Black Granite
Black has always remained one of the favorite colors when it comes to the granite used in the bathroom or kitchen areas. It has been best in adding the bathroom or the kitchen with the contemporary impact of the variation taste.
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.
Corian is a branded name used in reference to solid surface countertops. These surfaces are a step up from laminate but still lack the durability and aesthetics that would allow them to compete with natural stone such as quartz. This is one of the primary reasons Corian offers poor resale value compared to quartz.
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.
Quartz Countertops
Quartz is resistant to scratches, stains, and heat, plus it's non-porous. This makes quartz one of the most durable countertops you can buy for your kitchen or bathroom.