Taking the time to care for your granite will help maintain the natural beauty of your countertops. Quartz, on the other hand, is much easier to clean and maintain. Because quartz is a manufactured product, it is non-porous and more resistant to staining. Quartz is also well known for being GERM-FREE.
Both countertop materials are similar in terms of cleaning and maintenance, but it seems that quartz may have a slight edge since it never needs to be sealed, and since it's a nonporous surface, stains or liquids penetrating the surface aren't as worrisome as they are with natural stone.
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.
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.
Durability
The following are specific examples of how granite is more durable than quartz: – Granite is much more heat resistant than quartz. – Granite scratches less easily than quartz. – Chips to granite are easier to repair than chips to quartz.
Quartz is Easier to Maintain than Granite
As a non-porous stone, it is heat-resistant, stain-resistant, and bacteria-free. This countertop achieves a high level of durability without any sealant.
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. Be careful with cooking pans though: Quartz can be damaged by excessive heat, so use heating pads at all times.
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.
Too much sun exposure can damage your quartz countertops over time, leading to issues like fading, warping, and voiding of your warranty. Additionally, the UV lights can cause the colors in your countertops to fade—and even begin to have a yellow hue!
Sunlight. Because quartz is made using polyester resin, over time you may start to notice some discolouration - particularly in lighter coloured countertops. On average, it takes less than a year of daily sunlight for a quartz worktop to fade.
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 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.
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.
Heat Resistant: Granite countertops will not melt, blister, nor change color when exposed to heat. Unlike Quartz, Granite is one of the most heat-resistant countertops on the market. If you take a hot pan out of the oven, you can place it directly on your countertop surface without any harm!
Bottom Line. Both granite and quartz are high-end countertop materials that add real estate value to a home. Granite appeals to people who like all-natural materials, while quartz offers easier maintenance and slightly better durability.
Both quartz and granite countertops for bathrooms can last between 10-15 years; however, quartz is more durable than granite because it isn't porous. It's also easier to keep bacteria-free, although it can be damaged by excessive heat, so heating pads or trivets should be used at all times.
As the premium choice for outdoor kitchens, granite countertops offer the durability necessary to stand up to the harsh outdoors year after year. Vital to outdoor performance and longevity, granite holds up well against an unforgiving sun or hot cooking tool.
One drawback is that quartz countertops can become dull eventually. However, it's important to note that some quartz countertops are manufactured with a deliberate matte or textured finish (concrete for example). These finishes don't look shiny, no matter how they are cared for.
Quartzite requires sealing to prevent staining the surface, while quartz needs virtually no maintenance. So if you love a plethora of choices and a reliable, consistent look to your countertops, or perhaps you're searching for a durable material that won't break the bank, quartz may be just the thing for you.
Clorox wipes should never be used to clean your quartz countertops because the solution used in the wipes can potentially damage the surface. Instead, use warm water and mild soap, white vinegar and water or a quartz cleaner.
While it is unlikely that tea and coffee mugs will burn through your quartz countertop, you do not want to risk it. Using coasters will protect your countertops from any burn and will help maintain them over time.
The bottom line is, yes you can cut food directly on your quartz counter. That's because this material is tough, hard and durable. It's actually one of the hardest materials you will come across. This means it's great at resisting cuts and scratches.
If other homes sold in your area have quartz countertops and sold at or under your home's value, granite doesn't make sense. In this case, quartz adds the most value. Buyers will pay extra for upgrades but not if they can purchase a home similar to yours for a lower price without them.
Quartz. Recently quartz or manufactured stone beat out granite as the most popular kitchen countertop material. While on the surface, natural stone may seem to offer more resale value, that might be changing! As of right now, granite, marble, travertine, soapstone, and so on will typically give you bigger resale value.
Size. In most cases, granite slabs are narrower and shorter than a standard quartz slabs. Granite being typically smaller means it's easier to install, but the downside is that they cover a smaller area.