The decision on which material to go for when you choose to install a new worktop can be a difficult one; if you make the wrong decision then you may end up purchasing a new worktop sooner than you envisaged, which costs time and money. Get the decision right however, and you have a hard-wearing, durable, and attractive worktop on your hands.
Natural stone basically encompasses the choices of marble, granite, and quartz stone. Whilst marble is a very popular option, it is one which many people shy away from, because they believe it to be a fragile and high-maintenance choice; for that reason, many end up choosing between granite and quartz.
If you are left with these two on your shortlist, you might be floundering when it comes to the final decision.
Let’s pit them against each other, and figure out the pros and cons of each.
Granite Pros & Cons
Granite is a very strong and durable stone, and it will certainly last you plenty of years when you opt for this material for your new kitchen worktop. Granite is also available in countless natural and beautiful colours, so you won’t struggle to find something to fit your needs, as well as being highly heat resistant.
The downside of granite is really in its maintenance level, because it is a porous stone, and therefore it does absorb liquids. For this reason, you should seal your worktop at least annually, to keep it in the best condition possible.
Quartz Pros & Cons
On the other hand we have quartz. This is another natural stone and when you receive a new quartz worktop you are getting around 93% quartz content and 7% resin, which is used to add the colour you opt for. If we’re talking about colours, quartz is available in countless colours and patterns, so you’ll certainly find what you’re looking for.
The difference between quartz and granite really comes in the maintenance level again, because quartz really requires zero maintenance. This is a non-porous stone, so no sealing is required, and quartz also doesn’t harbour bacteria like a porous stone may do, making it a more hygienic choice overall.
Both granite and quartz are very heat and scratch resistant, however they are certainly not 100% in either direction – nothing is! For that reason, always use heat resistant pads for pans if you put them down on the surface on a regular basis, and always use chopping boards when using sharp knives – this will simply elongate the life of your worktop.
Which Will You Choose?
Your final choice will probably just come down to personal preference, because the only major difference between the two is down to maintenance and porosity. If you do want to cut down on how much maintenance your worktop requires, go for quartz; if you’re not too bothered, you can choose between the two.
Both stones are opulent and wonderful, and will look fantastic in your kitchen space. Remember to shop around whichever option you go for, because this will open up your budget to finding deals and cutting costs. On top of this, always shop for the colour in person, to check how it looks in natural and artificial lights; shades often differ slightly in this regard.
