A kitchen is the heart and soul of a house for the very reason that it caters to the basic needs of each inhabitant living there. When it comes to the cooking area, you want the best quality interiors, especially the countertops, which are singularly responsible for setting the right tone for your most happening place in the house. Generally, quartz kitchen countertops or granites are used for this purpose for their durability and strength. However, most homeowners come across the dilemma of deciding whether to go for a granite stone for kitchen needs or choose quartz kitchen countertops.
To answer this pressing design issue for you, we have endeavoured to compare the two materials so you can make an informed choice. We will be analysing each material on various parameters to help you ascertain which is better for you – a quartz top kitchen or a granite one.
In the end, whether you select granite or quartz kitchen countertops, you are in for a beautiful confluence of style and endurance in both scenarios. If you are a stickler for natural, environment-friendly material that is also durable, then granite stone for kitchen is the best idea. Just make sure that maintenance is not a point of contention. However, go for the quartz top kitchen if you treasure durability, low maintenance, uniformity of appearance, and value for money. Let’s see the how and why of this summarisation.
Granite stone for kitchen or quartz kitchen countertops? – Parameters to consider
Composition
Granite is a naturally occurring material that is quarried out in the form of slabs. It is an igneous rock composed mainly of quartz, micas, feldspar, and a mixture of other minerals. The minerals present in it are responsible for its colour. For instance, high quartz content makes it milky white, and Potassium Feldspar gives it a pink hue. So, if you are obsessed with natural materials, then the granite stone for kitchen interiors is the best option for you.
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A quartz stone for the kitchen core is composed of quartz particles that are firmly bound with the help of various resins. As a result, they are also referred to as ‘Engineered stones.’ Thus, quartz kitchen countertops are significantly more solid and durable than granite ones owing to their composition.
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Aesthetics
If you are looking for the aesthetic value of the material, then the charisma of granite stone for kitchen interiors is unparalleled. Depending on the mineral composition of granite, you could get them in various vibrant shades of blue, green and black on the one hand and soothing shades of white, off-white and pink on the other.
Source: Pinterest
Source: Pinterest
Though quartz stone for kitchen tops may not be as naturally beautiful and unique as granite, being an engineered stone, it can be adorned with many colours and patterns. It certainly does not have the natural grains and lines of granite. However, its uniqueness lies in the uniform appearance of creative designs and colours. The sky’s the limit for creativity in a quartz top kitchen.
Source: Pinterest
Source: Pinterest
Quality
Quality is the most significant factor in making granite and quartz the most preferred materials for countertops. However, each one has its pluses and minuses.
The granite stone for kitchen countertops generally comes in three grades – Grade 1 (commercial grade), Grade 2, and Grade 3+, Grade 1 being the lowest. Grade categorisation is based on the uniqueness of colours and the complexity of veins and patterns besides the thickness. Thus, the more unique the colour, significant the thickness, and complex the design, the higher is the quality of the granite stone for the kitchen.
Like granite, the quartz stone for the kitchen also comes in three primary levels of quality. The first choice quartz, the most premium grade engineered stone, has minimal veins and a smooth finish. Its durability is unmatched and comes in vibrant, unique colours. Next comes the commercial-grade quartz, which is lower in quality in terms of finish, yet it is in no way less durable than the first choice. The best part about it is that it gives you value for money. The lowest grade quartz, the second choice, also does not compromise durability. However, it would help if you accepted that it is not as glamorous as the other two grades.
Upkeep
The granite stone for the kitchen comes with pores as it is a natural stone. Though they are sealed at the time of installation, there are chances that the seal breaks during regular usage. Hence, it would help if you seal your granite countertop annually; else, the pores could turn out to be a breeding ground for germs. Its porous surface also tends to facilitate staining. Furthermore, granite also tends to chip away.
On the other hand, the quartz stone for kitchen counters is a comparatively easy maintenance material. The resin-based construction of this engineered stone makes it resistant to staining and chipping. Hence, it scores over granite on this account.
Cost
Granite is more expensive than quartz of a similar grade level, and if you choose granite not locally available, the cost will be even higher. Hence, to find local granite vendors, google ‘granite near me’ and save on transportation costs.
Quartz top kitchens can be durable at a lower cost because the material’s sturdiness does not fall with the price. If you could loosen your pockets a bit more, you could even get competitive colours and patterns of quartz stone for your kitchen.
Environmental sustainability
Granite scores over quartz as far as the environmental sustainability aspect is concerned. The extraction of granite from its quarries does not produce carbon footprints. However, quartz kitchen countertops are not environmentally-friendly due to the processing involved in manufacturing this engineered stone. Hence if you are very particular about sustainable construction materials, granite is your stone.
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