When choosing materials for your kitchen, it is common to get stuck between a granite or a quartz worktop. They can be similar in appearance, and the differences between them are not immediately obvious.
What is the difference between granite and quartz worktops? And is one better than the other? Keep reading to find out.
Granite worktops are made from 100% natural stone. Granite forms when magma cools down, and it is quarried and removed from the ground in large pieces. Those pieces are then cut down to size and shaped to fit your kitchen requirements. Each worktop is entirely unique
Quartz, on the other hand, is not made from 100% natural materials. The quartz itself is natural, but it is crushed up and mixed with a binding agent made of polymer resins, along with colour pigments. Each piece of quartz worktop is 93% quartz and 7% other materials. However, these additions make it extremely durable, second only to precious stones, making it an excellent choice for a kitchen worktop.
As granite is a natural material, you are limited in your choice of colours. It comes in various shades, but they are all natural earthy tones. You will need to choose doors and tiles that complement the granite rather than the other way around, as the granite will be the most unique part of your kitchen. The pattern won’t be uniform, and the stone may have some imperfections due to it being natural and unaltered.
Quartz comes in a much wider range of colours, as the pigment is added after the material has been gathered and crushed. This means you can choose a colour that suits your kitchen and your individual style. The patterns are designed, so can be more uniform than the ones found on granite worktops. The finish of a quartz worktop is incredibly glossy and smooth, giving your kitchen a premium feel. It is important to remember that the pigment, as with coloured material, can fade over time- especially if it is exposed to a lot of sunlight.
Granite is a naturally porous material, so it will need professional treatment to stop water from seeping into the stone and causing damage or staining. Once the treatment has been applied, the material will not stain. Quartz is non-porous and is stain resistant. Granite is heat-resistant- you could place a tray straight out of the oven onto it and there will be no damage. Quartz is heat-resistant up to about 250 degrees Celsius, but exposure to very hot materials may cause cracking or damage.
Both granite and quartz are equally durable and fairly scratch resistant. Both types of worktops will have visible seams, but they tend to be less visible on quartz than granite.
Quartz and granite worktops are both excellent choices and the addition of a high-quality stone worktop to your kitchen can add value to your property.
