It’s time for a kitchen remodel, and the countertops are high on your to-do list. While you know that you want to pick something better than the house-original laminate and something sturdier than butcher’s block wood, there are a lot of options to choose from. Stone countertops such as granite and quartz are popular favorites. They look beautiful, they’re smooth to the touch, and they can be custom-selected to match any kitchen’s color palette.
But when you’re choosing your kitchen’s next surfaces, you need something better than beauty. Here are some key differences between granite and quartz that can help you make your final choice:
1. Quartz is harder than granite.
All feel ‘hard enough’ to the touch. But these surfaces will take on a lot of use over the years. Heavy groceries will be dropped on the surfaces, pots and pans might slam into the edges, and people will be scrubbing or touching the surfaces. While quartz and granite both contain the actual mineral quartz, quartz countertops have a much higher concentration of the substance. They’re almost entirely quartz, mixed with a high-strength resin to hold everything tightly together. Granite, on the other hand, may only be 50-60% quartz. While both are incredibly strong and durable, quartz is stronger.
2. Granite is easier on your budget.
It’s actually a bit more complicated than granite always being the less expensive option. If you choose premium granite slabs from across the country, transportation and weight costs can add up. At the same time, different quartz compositions can be more or less costly than the average. While you shouldn’t consider just your budget when you’re redesigning your kitchen, both materials are often priced by the square footage. If you have a large kitchen, choosing an indigenous granite stone gives you a lot of room for luxurious backsplashes and even a start on a bathroom remodel to match your new kitchen.
Go to Moreno Granite & Marble to find the right slab material for your kitchen.