If you know anything about granite, then you would have heard about its popularity in the kitchen as a great material for countertops. However, nowadays, there is another stone taking over granite, and that’s quartz. Here’s everything you need to know as to why people are choosing quartz kitchen countertops over granite.
Quartz Is Less Expensive
You might have a slight idea about the price of granite and how it’s one of the most expensive kitchen countertop materials in the world. Granite is a beautiful and durable material, but the hefty price isn’t justified at most times, by a lot of people.
On the contrary, however, quartz is actually a very cheap alternative to granite. It is just as durable (if not more) and it comes at a pretty reasonable price, so it’s literally a win-win situation. However, don’t expect a huge cost difference between quartz and granite.
Provides More Durability Than Granite
Granite is a hard material, but that’s not to say that it doesn’t get damaged by things like water and moisture. Quartz, on the other hand, is a lot more durable than granite in many ways.
For starters, it doesn’t chip or crack near the edges, which is a huge problem area for granite. Quartz is a very hard and strong material and it will last for a long time, without all of the hefty maintenance and caring.
With quartz, you can literally set it and forget it, which is perfect for people who don’t have a lot of time on their hands to maintain kitchen countertops, on a regular basis.
Doesn’t Need To Be Maintained
If you know anything about granite, then it wouldn’t come as a surprise to you that it is a maintenance-heavy material. There are so many areas that you need to look after, when it comes to maintaining granite counters, and frankly, that’s the reason why people don’t go for it.
Quartz, on the other hand, doesn’t need to be maintained on a regular basis. You don’t even need to seal it, which is a mandatory step in granite, otherwise, it will get damaged by water and moisture. So, you don’t just save a lot of money when buying quartz, but you also save a lot on maintenance costs, which is a huge plus.
The Texture Of Quartz Is Better
There is something about quartz, which is so appealing, especially the surface, because it’s so smooth and the texture is very even too. The appearance of granite is a huge selling point for a lot of people, but in comparison, quartz looks a lot more clean and crisp the appearance of quartz is downright beautiful and it will sate the inner minimalist in you if you want to go for something which has minimal designing and a beautiful look.
There is no harsh veining or dark colors on quartz, which a lot of people don’t find appealing at all, so it’s perfect.
It Is More Environmentally Friendly
Granite is a natural stone that is quarried from the Earth in huge slabs and stones and then, they are taken to factories where they are cut into more manageable pieces. This can cause a lot of damage to the environment and there’s also a depletion of natural resources.
Quartz, if you didn’t know this already, is a man-made material and it is made with packing broken rocks and sediments, combined with resin until it forms a solid surface which is a perfect addition to your kitchen.
This quality of quartz makes it less hazardous to the environment than granite. Yes, there is a lot of manpower and energy that goes into the making of quartz as well, but it’s not nearly as much as that of granite. As a bonus, quartz is also more long-lasting, which means fewer chances of replacements or repairs.
It Is Stain Resistant
Stains are a huge issue with granite countertops, which is why they need to be sealed so that no water or any other liquid can seep into the surface and ruin the look of the countertop. As for quartz, though, there is no issue of stains because it is non-porous in nature, from the start.
There are no pores on the surface of quartz, which makes the possibility of stains almost zero and you don’t even need to seal it in order to prevent stains from forming on the surface. This feature is greatly appreciated by a lot of people because let’s be real; who wants to maintain a countertop material regularly? This is also why people prefer quartz over granite.
Quartz Is Easy To Clean
Granite is very reactive if it comes into contact with acids and it can form huge holes on the surface. Acidic cleaners can eat away the material and this can ruin the countertop over time.
Luckily for quartz, there is nothing you need to worry about. It is very easy to clean and it can even be cleaned with regular soap and water. You don’t need to spend a fortune on specialty cleaners, because quartz is pretty low maintenance, in this way too.
There Is A Lot Of Variety
Granite countertops Rockville are available in a variety of darker colors, but if you want to go for some lighter and neutral options, then quartz has you covered. There is a whole lot of variety in colors in quartz, so much so that you can get confused as to which color you should go for. There are light and bright colors, neutral and warm varieties, and there are also a couple of darker colors that you can choose from.
Quartz is known for its light and neutral tones which is typically the first choice of most people because it’s that beautiful.
Repairs Are Easy
Quartz is a lot easier to replace and repair, in comparison to granite. With granite, you need to have a professional come in and deal with stains and water damage and the best way to rectify this issue is to sand it down. This can actually weaken the material and it can lead to the countertops looking uneven most of the time.
With quartz, however, the repair is super easy and you can even do it by yourself if there’s a small stain or crack here and there. Quartz countertops will definitely make your life a lot easier.
It’s Water Resistant
Last but not least, quartz is water resistant as well. This is also due to it being non-porous. Water doesn’t get sucked into the material, rather it beads up on the surface and you can clean it up right away with a swipe of a cloth.
Granite is definitely not friendly with water. It can get severely damaged by water, which is why it needs to be sealed in the first place. Sealing is not only tedious but adds up as you go, too. With quartz, there is no water damage.
Conclusion
Granite is great and all, but there’s obviously something more about quartz and why people are choosing this material over granite for their kitchen countertops. Find a quartz countertops dealer Potomac to see the different qualities of quartz and a huge variety of quartz colors.