Which countertops materials are suitable for your kitchen or bathroom? It's commonly known that quartz and granite are popular choices for countertops and flooring. Today I would like to tell you the differences of quartz and granite.
The following comparison chart maybe could tell you their specific differences.
Quartz vs. Granite Properties
Quartz used in countertops and flooring is a man-made combination of resins and crushed quartz. Quartz surfaces are engineered. They almost entirely consist of natural materials, but the combining of those materials is completely manufactured. Quartz is also very heat and scratch resistant. Over 90% of quartz surfaces consist of ground up quartz minerals, while resins — the two most common being polyester and epoxy — make up about another 7% of the materials.
Granite is a very durable natural stone with a high aesthetic value. Granite surfaces come from naturally-occurring granite rock which is mined and cut into large but manageable slabs for surface construction.
Here is a side-by-side comparison of quartz and granite countertops found in kitchens:
Quartz vs. Granite Durability
Either surface is sufficiently strong for general use in kitchens or bathrooms.
The quartz mineral itself is one of the hardest in the world — harder, even, than diamonds. While granite is a very durable rock, it is not without natural flaws that have the potential to make it weak in certain places over time.
In contrast, such flaws are essentially engineered out of quartz surfaces, making them harder and more durable than granite.
Though quartz is often touted to be more heat and scratch resistant than granite, neither surface will be easy to scratch or damage with heat during general use. Quartz, however, is much more resistant to spills and subsequent staining than granite is.
Granite is not exactly easy to stain — in fact, it is the most stain resistant of the natural stone surfaces — but quartz, as a non-porous surface, is nearly impossible to stain. To make granite more stain resistant, it is important to maintain a sealant on its surface.
Quartz vs. Granite Applications
Quartz and granite are good in kitchens and bathrooms, where hard surfaces are often desired. They can be used for countertops, flooring, and even backsplashes and walls. Neither surface should be used outdoors: As a slightly porous surface, granite will be vulnerable to the elements or to water in bathrooms. Depending on a quartz surface's makeup, it can fade in direct sunlight.
Purchasing granite or quartz from a reputable seller with good guarantees is a must.