What is the difference between a quartz and granite countertop?

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They are both aesthetic, they are both durable, they each come with pros and cons, but which one is for you? No matter what your reservations are or what your lifestyle entails, you should be able to make a sound, solid and informed decision by the end of this all-inclusive mini-guide to quartz and granite countertops.

Is there a price difference?

Yes but believe it or not, they come in pretty close. You will often find that, depending on where you are shopping, quartz is more expensive than granite. Prices are usually determined on a square foot basis, the same as when you purchase new flooring. You can expect to pay anywhere between $60.00-$70.00 per square foot for granite, while the pricing of quartz is a bit more volatile. Sometimes it can be as inexpensive as $60.00-$70.00 or as high as $85.00-$100.00 per square foot. However, before your wallet gasps for air, take a look at the physical differences between these two types of stone below.

Durability

Regarding density and toughness overall, quartz blows granite out of the water. Unlike quartz, granite needs to be sealed at least once per year to ensure food particles and liquids don’t seep into the material. Quartz never requires treatment, even from the moment you place it in your home. On a density rating of one to ten, ten being a diamond, quartz rates at a seven.

Aesthetics

Both are visually satisfactory, however, granite has won the hearts of every homeowner and renovation project manager for decades. You never see the leading features of a home for sale to include “All New Quartz Countertops,” because as we all know, granite wins this category for most people. Quartz can be engineering in an array of colors, but nothing beats that natural, right-out-of-the-ground look that granite has.

Installation

Either way, you should never install these on your own. Get the professionals, wherever they may be, to assist in the installation process. Both granite and quartz are extremely heavy materials. For more than just personal safety (although I’m not overstepping the importance of it,) the last thing you want to do is drop and shatter thousands of dollars of product.

Heat Resistance

Somewhere, a long time ago, a rumor spread about the internet and those seeking to replace their countertops with granite, that they’ll be damaged by a hot pan being left on the surface. This is 100%, factually and without the shadow of a doubt, a big myth, and the same goes for quartz. While some manufacturers claim they can engineer quartz to withstand even greater temperatures, you shouldn’t be dealing with more than 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit in your kitchen.

Quartz or Granite: Which one is better?

It always comes down to that; there is simply no clear answer. If you have small children and your house is abuzz with them and their friends, granite countertops tend to get wrecked easier if they don’t clean up a spill. If you truly want more visually pleasing counters that can easily to match to your new cabinets, and look impressive in contract with new stainless steel appliances, the clear winner is granite. Shop around with all of the above in mind, and that should be enough help you make a clear and informed decision.

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