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We at Front Range Stone know that when considering installing new countertops, it’s important to not only think about the look you want but also the kind of durability and maintenance that will best suit your lifestyle. Quartz and granite are both practical and chic options for kitchen or bathroom countertops that get daily use, so choosing between the two can be a difficult decision.

Which is the best countertop material for you? Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of quartz and granite when it comes to these 3 important factors:

  • Appearance

  • Durability

  • Stain Resistance

Appearance

There is no shortage of design possibilities with quartz or granite. Both of these countertop materials are highly versatile, come in a variety of patterns and colors. They can easily adapt to both traditional décor and modern decor and everything in between.

granite countertops in colorado
quartz countertops in colorado

Granite Countertops Appearance

  • Pro: Granite is made from natural stone mined from the earth, so that means that each piece is truly unique. The perfect slab of granite in your home can serve as an art piece in its own right, particularly if it’s given a place to be shown off such as the kitchen island.

  • Con: Because each slab of granite is one of a kind, that means you’ll need to do some searching for a piece that’s going to fit well both aesthetically in your desired location for it. We recommend coming to visit our showroom in Colorado so you can see in person so you can see how each slab of granite varies. Some people might not see this as a “con,” but is something to keep in mind.

Quartz Appearance

  • Pro: Quartz is one of the most versatile countertop materials. For a simple, clean look, you can opt for a pure white quartz countertop. If you like quartz’s durability and stain-resistance but love the look of a less life-proof material such as marble, there is quartz available that mimics marble’s classic, veined look.

  • Pro: Because quartz is a man made stone, it’s able to be created with consistency. This means that there’s less guesswork involved when it comes to imagining how that quartz sample is going to look when it’s covering your entire countertop.

Durability

Granite and quartz differ in their durability because what they are made of. Granite, on the other hand, is natural stone that is mined, cut down to a workable size, and polished. Quartz countertops (sometimes called engineered stone countertops or man made) are comprised of a combination of 93 percent ground natural quartz and 7 percent polymer resins.

Granite Durability

  • Pro: Granite is heat-resistant, unlike quartz. We still recommend using hot pads or trivets to keep your countertop in the best shape possible.

  • Con: Granite is not as hard as quartz and may chip if struck hard enough. Still granite is reasonably durable and is a comparatively stronger and harder countertop option than other natural stones like marble.

Quartz Durability

  • Pro: Quartz is harder (and therefore more durable) than granite and is less likely to chip.

  • Con: If you do accidentally damage your quartz countertop, it’s harder to repair than granite (especially if your quartz countertop has no patterns or veining to mask imperfections).

  • Con: Because of its composition, quartz is susceptible to damage when touched by really hot objects. Always use a trivet or hot pad, rather than placing a hot pan or dish directly onto quartz.

Stain Resistance

Stain resistance ties into how much maintenance a countertop is likely to require. These are both important factors to consider when choosing your countertop material for those who can get a little messy in the kitchen.

how to clean countertops

Granite Stain Resistance

  • Con: Because granite is porous, it is susceptible to staining if not periodically resealed. Contact a countertop expert near you in Colorado to have them resealed. We recommend this be done once a year.

Quartz Stain Resistance

  • Pro: Quartz countertops are non-porous material. This makes them highly resistant to stains.

  • Pro: Quartz’s non-porous nature also makes it less prone to accumulating bacteria.

If you are looking for more countertop information or design tips, check out our blogContact us today or visit our showroom Englewood, Colorado, right outside of Denver to get a quote on your next project!

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