Granite countertops or quartz countertops: Which are the better buy?
If you’re undecided on which type of stone countertop to opt for in your home’s kitchen and bathroom surfaces, perhaps the insights below will help you in making your choice. Whether you choose granite countertops or go with quartz countertops; in the end, you’ll be quite pleased with the new and lasting beauty either brings to any kitchen or bathroom.
Not to mention the enhanced resale value stone countertops add to a home. All of us can agree that the beauty of stone surfaces far eclipses what homemakers had to endure for decades in the form of those boring (and easy to damage) laminate surfaces.
But exactly how popular are stone surfaces in today’s new homes? A recent study done by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) shows that stone increasingly rules the American countertop; the material of choice in sixty-four percent of all new American homes. And granite seems to be the preferred stone, though quartz is increasingly popular. Humble laminate, on the other hand, turns up in a mere fourteen percent of new homes and typically only those priced at the low end of the market.
So how to go about choosing which stone surface to go with?
In its favor, granite is an exceptionally durable stone that’s all natural. The quartz used in quartz countertops, on the other hand, is typically mixed with a small amount of polymer resin which allows it to project its unique and visually diverse beauty without much affecting durability. Both are easy to clean and maintain — simple soap and water cleaning is typically all that’s called for, and this fact adds to the reasons each is so desired by today’s homeowners.
With granite countertops, however, you’ll want to keep in mind that the stone is somewhat porous and thus slightly more susceptible to staining. Care should, therefore, be taken to clean up spills, especially of fluids which might result in staining the stone surface. You may also want to consider having your granite countertops resealed every year or so to further protect against the occasional “accident.”
Quartz countertops, though all but immune to such accidental staining, are susceptible to damage by the extreme heat of cooking pots—so you must be careful to use heating pads whenever appropriate.
As for price, the popular website HomeAdvisor.com notes that new granite countertops can set you back between $2,000 to $4,000 while quartz countertops may range a bit higher in price — between $1,500 and $5,500 or more. Much depends on whether you choose to purchase materials directly from a wholesaler. Perhaps most importantly, choosing a truly qualified and experienced installation expert can help ensure that the money you save on materials isn’t wasted.
With the increasingly large selection of colors and textures available in stone countertops the most experienced professional installers will also be able to help you choose among those which are most popular in your area — and best suited to the color and décor of your own home.
So let the countertop beautification begin!