'Quartz is what I typically would recommend for a client looking for a low maintenance kitchen countertop,' agrees interior designer Esther Chi of Mudan Interior Design. 'Unlike natural stones like marble and granite, quartz is a man-made non-porous material. This means that it is highly resistant to staining.
Quartz is the most popular choice for kitchen countertops for a reason. If you have a family with kids, quartz is the best choice for durability, resistance to all types of damage, and no maintenance.
Quartz edges ahead of granite in this category. It requires almost zero maintenance because it is stain-resistant without needing to be re-sealed. While granite does not have this innate low-maintenance quality, sealing granite is easy.
1. Quartz. 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.
The answer would definitely be quartz. However, with proper maintenance, granite is also a great countertop product.
The least expensive type of countertop is laminate. It's appealing and easy to clean, but it can also easily damage from heat, scratches, and moisture.
Can You Put Hot Cooking Utensils On A Quartz Countertop? The quick answer is no, you should aim to not place a hot pan on a quartz kitchen worktop as the heat from the pan will cause the quartz to burn. The resin that is in the quartz material can only withhold 150 degrees in heat before it reaches its maximum.
Quartz countertops can cost between $80 to $140 per square foot installed. Granite countertops can cost between $80 and $175 per square foot installed. The price difference between granite and quartz will vary because both materials are international imports, so tariffs and other transport costs will impact pricing.
Quartz takes first place in terms of durability. Made of crushed quartz stone mixed with polymers and resin, this artificially engineered stone countertop is an extremely durable surface that resembles natural stone.
Granite performs well when exposed to heat, though trivets, cooling racks and coasters are recommended to prevent staining, scratches and discoloration. Granite typically requires annual sealing to protect the stone from staining and taking on moisture damage, but is easy to clean during/after everyday use.
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Quartz countertops do have a certain level of heat resistance. However, it's not as heat-resistant as granite countertops. The same thing that makes quartz countertops so strong also makes them weak when you put heat or hot cookware on them.
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.
Granite and Quartz can both be damaged by exposure to high temperatures since some of the elements contained within each one is susceptible to being damaged by intense heat. Granite is porous while quartz is not, so granite can suffer from spills and stains while quartz is more stain resistant.
White marble countertops are a hallmark of Joanna's kitchens, effortlessly bringing luxury and timeless elegance. Paired with dark cabinets, they strike the perfect balance of modern style and cozy warmth, as seen in her Waco home.
In 2024, several countertop materials continue to be popular choices for kitchen renovations. Quartz countertops remain a top favorite, appreciated for their durability, versatility, and wide range of colors and patterns.
Avoid countertops that are largely plastic such as cultured marble, solid surface, and those that introduce formaldehyde, like laminate. If using laminate countertops, specify that the substrate be made with a no added formaldehyde (NAF) resin. Additionally, CDPH-certified laminate materials are preferred.
The durability winner is quartz, the man-nature combo countertop. Crushed quartz stone is mixed with resin to produce countertops that range from solid colors to the look of real granite, but they'll beat natural stone in toughness. Quartz is almost indestructible under normal kitchen prep conditions.
Granite is Heat Resistant
The primary concern with heat and granite is cracking. Homeowners don't need to worry about damaging their countertops with everyday use because granite is quite heat resistant. Placing a hot pan on a well-maintained granite slab will not cause it to crack or weaken.
How much does a 10 foot quartz countertop cost? Quartz price per sq ft is around $50, so 10 ft quartz should be anywhere between $400 to $600 depending on the grade of quartz you're willing to purchase.
Granite is durable, beautiful and would be uniquely yours. But you can't' beat quartz if you want the classic beauty of natural marble without the headache and heartache of keeping natural marble looking good.
In most cases, it is perfectly fine to use cooking appliances such as toaster ovens, air fryers, and microwaves on a quartz surface. However, these appliances could cause some slight discoloration after prolonged use. So, if you use your appliances often, it is best to use either trivets or heat-resistant mats.
Yes, you can place a hot cup of coffee on a quartz countertop, but with caution. Here are some considerations to keep in mind: Short Duration and Moderately Hot: A freshly poured cup of coffee, which is typically around 160-185°F (71-85°C), is unlikely to damage the quartz surface if it is placed for a short duration.
It's best practice to place a barrier of some kind between a slow cooker or pressure cooker and your quartz counter. While these things may not cause immediate damage to the surface, they could cause fading of that area with continued heat exposure.