Quartz Vs Granite Worktops: Everything You Need to Know
Looking for Granite or Quartz worktops in the North Wales or Cheshire area? Here’s how Grosvenor Granite can help…
We’ve spoken extensively about the importance of selecting the right kitchen worktop materials and finishes. Kitchens are a long-term investment that whilst potentially expensive, can majorly benefit your home. This means that getting it right the first time is imperative for your overall kitchen interior and happiness!
Over the past few decades, kitchens have transitioned into open plan areas that are social spaces where one can cook and guests can interact. This environment usually allows for great flow between living areas, too.
As open-plan modern kitchen spaces take the interior design scene by storm, quartz and granite countertops have become popular kitchen commodities too. From their inception in the 90s, providing a splash of sophistication to the kitchen space, to now a globally recognised design asset that has the capacity to boost the value of a house by at least 10%.
Although, when we speak about quartz or granite as a homeware accessory, the distinction between them is not always that clear-cut. On the exterior, both appear to be made of resistant natural stone that has a timeless appeal. However, upon further inspection and research, they do in fact have some clear distinctions that may affect your decision-making process when designing your dream kitchen.
Instead of making assumptions about it, here at Grosvenor Granite, our aim is to be as transparent as possible with our customers by providing a plethora of expert knowledge and advice. This way, we can ensure that you are loaded with enough information to make an informed decision when re-designing your kitchen countertops.
The difference in Quartz and Granite Appearance
Granite
Granite worktops have a rich beauty that makes them stand out from their counterparts. A natural and pure product that has a timeless and classic appeal. They can completely transform any kitchen interior and have an extensive range of colours that enables it to perfectly blend with kitchen cabinets, flooring and wall options. This gives you the freedom and flexibility to choose a colour that will match your existing kitchen interiors.
Quartz
In contrast to granite, quartz is not natural - it's manufactured.
The notion of ‘man-made’ engineered countertop may sound perplexing to consumers. What this means is that in order to create slabs you see our most quartz retailers and our very own showrooms involve manufacturers combining roughly 98% ground quartz with 7% resins, polymers and colours. This combination produces a wide array of colours that emulates that of natural stone. The end product is a natural-looking countertop with an extensive range of colours and textures to choose from; hence their popularity amongst consumers in recent years.
Because quartz counters are made with a blend of stone and resin, the resulting surface is very hard, like granite, but also glossy and non-porous. The pattern depends on the texture of the stone used in the process. Coarser pieces produce a flecked appearance, while smoother, finer pieces produce a more uniform color pattern.
Different colors can be produced by adding different pigments during the manufacturing process. Most people prefer a more natural look, but some have vibrant color options that wouldn’t be found in nature.
Once you have selected a colour that you like, it can be cut down and fabricated to your specific requirements. The specialists here at Grosvenor Granite have years of experience installing quartz countertops all across the North Wales, Chester and Greater Cheshire regions.
Quartz and Granite Durability
Durability is key to any kitchen worktop, as this is a high traffic zone - synonymous with mess and commotion. Therefore, sustainability is vital, otherwise it is not worth the money.
Granite Durability
As a natural stone, granite is a very hard substance and thus extremely durable. Granite is scratch resistant and also does not lose its value over time, making it a highly sought-after product.
Quartz Durability
Similarly, quartz is extremely durable. In fact, quartz is known to have the same durability as concrete and granite, but it is quite a bit more forgiving, making it more resistant to various cracks and chipping.
Quartz is also non-porous, meaning it is resistant to staining at a better rate than its natural stone counterparts i.e, granite. From a pure cleanliness perspective, a non-porous surface prevents bacteria from building up on the countertops and is thus easier to maintain/clean. This is particularly pertinent for any kitchen surface that will come into contact with various raw meat/food substances which could cause contamination. Moreover, from a purely aesthetic perspective, kitchen countertops are a focal point of many kitchen spaces, so having a surface that is easy to keep tidy and look attractive will naturally improve the overall look of the room.
Cost Difference Between Quartz Vs Granite
Quartz is usually, but not always, a little more expensive than granite, depending on the quality of the stone. It's much less expensive than marble, but it’s more expensive than laminates or solid surfaces. The final cost depends on several factors, including the thickness of the slab, how much material you need, the complexity of your design, and the quality of the stone.
So for those in two minds about what product will work best for them and their lifestyle needs it really comes down to the much finer details. If price is your biggest concern, then granite might be a more fruitful option.
With regards to the overall look, if you are hoping for an extremely contemporary product, then quartz might be a slightly better choice (although granite is still extremely contemporary). That isn’t necessarily a weakness since beauty is in the eye of the beholder. It really is up to you. For more information, call our friendly team today to help you choose your quartz or kitchen countertop in North Wales, Chester or Cheshire region.