Stone tops have been popular for some time and your selection from the endless array of unique colors and patterns will significantly contribute to the overall look of your home particularly in the kitchen, baths and bars. In this article Dynasty Partners explains the pros and cons of each type of counter top to help you make the choice.
Granite is a natural stone and the most popular counter top on the market. Granite is quarried directly from the earth as a single chunk which are then cut into individual slabs. Quartz counter tops on the other hand are manufactured composites that replicate the look of stone. They contain crushed quartz mixed with resin at about 93% quartz to 7% resin.
Appearance
While some individuals prefer the natural and unique look of granite, others like the wider variety of patterns and colors offered by quartz.
Durability
Granite is often noted as being the most durable natural countertop material, but since quartz is a manmade material, it actually ranks a bit higher on the hardness scale and is slightly more resistant to damage.
Maintenance
Granite is very resistance to stain with proper re-sealing. Minor scratches and dings can be filled in with epoxy or resin. Quartz on the other hand is a non-porous material which allows it to repel all liquids without sealing. Damaged quartz though is trickier to repair and should always be done by a professional.