The kitchen is undoubtedly the most loved and most used area of any house. Not to exaggerate, but it is the heart of our homes. So designing or remodelling it may definitely put us in the midst of many discussions and arguments, especially regarding kitchen countertops. What material is the best? Should we opt for granite? Or is quartz a better choice? Here we have put queries and doubts to rest. Below is the detailed information about the two. You can opt for the one that fits your budget and fulfils all your requirements.
Granite
It is a rock that forms under the earth’s surface. It gets its light color from minerals and constitutes grains that you can see with your naked eye. It occurs mainly in gray, white, pink, or red colors. The price ranges from₹50/ square feet to ₹500/square feet.
Let’s have a glance at the pros and cons of granite.
Pros
- 100% natural and is a hard stone.
- You can choose from a plethora of colors according to your wall paint and interior design.
- It has a unique look due to its color and striations.
- Durable if they are adequately sealed. So your soap powder or liquid don’t seep into them. Follow this tips to keep a more organised kitchen!
- You can use it outdoors because its color doesn’t fade away.
Cons
- Being natural, it is susceptible to stains.So one needs to be careful while having a glass of red wine!, your tea, lemon or oil.
- Though strong, it is brittle. So, hide your hammers, guys, especially if you have naughty kids at home.
- There may be visible seams if you use them for the large countertop.
- They are absorbent in nature, so if your joints are not sealed properly, the chances of them absorbing oil and harbouring bacteria are really high.
- You cannot avail them in plain form; there will be patterns and swirls essentially.
Quartz
Quartz occurs in natural mineral form. Available in different patterns, colors, and textures, it is a popular choice for many homeowners. If you want a sparkling finish, you can also combine it with any reflective material like glass. There is another variation of quartz that is engineered quartz. It constitutes 97% of quartz crystal in crushed form and 3% of resins. The price ranges from ₹50/square feet to ₹4000/square feet.
Pros
- It looks elegant as a kitchen countertop.
- It can withstand the wear and tears occurring due to regular use.
- Among the hardest minerals found on earth. So do not worry about it breaking easily.
- Quartz has a variety of textures and colors in contrast to granite.
- It requires low maintenance and is stain-resistant. So no worries about the spills anymore!
- Mix and match are convenient in quartz countertops due to their availability in plain and smoother surfaces.
- Being heavier than its counterpart-granite, you cannot break it easily.
Cons
- If you compare the price of the two, you will find it to be more expensive than granite.
- You cannot use it for outdoor purposes because it cannot withstand harsh environmental conditions and tends to fade its color.
- You cannot experience natural beauty out of it because it is available in engineered form.
- With no texture or pattern, it doesn’t look unique. Instead, it gives a monotonous view to the eyes.
With such elaborated information on quartz and granite, it will now be easy for you to make a choice for your kitchen countertop. If you want a natural and unique look of the countertops, go ahead with granite. On the contrary, if you are looking for perfectly matching and flawless kitchen counters without any stripes or patterns, quartz should be your go-to material. Also, checkout this guide for selecting the best flooring for your home.
Look into idesign for more in-depth information and stunning interiors.
