A brief rundown of quartz and granite

Granite countertops are quarried directly from the earth as a single chunk. These counters are all natural stone that have been taken out as large blocks that can be later cut into individual slabs.

Quartz countertops contain crushed quartz mixed with resin in a ratio of 93% quartz to 7% resin. They are manufactured in a variety of different patterns and colors.

An in-depth look at the pros and cons of quartz

As with granite, quartz countertops also have their own sets of drawbacks and benefits that go along with them.

1. Quartz countertops are just as strong as granite but have the added benefit of being more flexible. This makes them easier to work with during the installation process
2. Quartz is non-porous and does not require any sealing. These stones offer a virtually no-maintenance material solution for countertops.
3. These counters are also very durable, but they cannot be considered indestructible.
4. They are stain-resistant so dropping a glass of wine on them simply requires a quick cleanup.
5. When exposed to direct sunlight over long periods of time, quartz may slightly change color, especially light colored quartz. If you have a part of your counter that receives some of the UV rays from the sun while another part doesn’t, you may see a color difference over time.

The benefits and drawbacks of granite

Here are some of the most important drawbacks and benefits of granite that you need to know:

1. The appearance is not uniform. These stones are coming right out of the earth and are not perfectly designed by nature. For some, this will be a benefit, while others may consider it a drawback.
2. Granite countertops are typically sealed before they are used, and they may need to be resealed depending on how long the sealer is said to last. Granite is a porous stone and can only be considered to be stain-resistant if it has been sealed properly. If for any reason the sealant on the counter gets compromised, your countertop can get stained.
3. Countertops made of granite are extremely durable, but should not be considered indestructible. With being a natural rock, it can break or chip if subjected to heavy abuse. For regular day-to-day activities however, and with proper maintenance, this is a countertop that can last for a lifetime.
4. The samples that you see can slightly differ from the stone that you receive. Keep in mind that these are naturally occurring slabs so the samples cannot be a true 100% reflection of the stone you are ordering. There may be color variances or occlusions in the stone you receive that gives the slab a slightly different appearance.