In your eagerness to choose a countertop for your New kitchen countertops in New Orleans, you have narrowed down your search to two materials: quartz and granite.
This countertop comparison will not be an easy decision because the differences between these two countertop materials are not apparent. After all, both granite and quartz countertops are loudly touted by New Orleans Countertop fabricators as being the highest quality countertops.
For this reason, Stone Interiors New Orleans has come up with a few features to be used as countertops comparison to help you make an informed decision in choosing either natural or engineered stone countertops.
countertop comparison
The Composition
Granite is a pure natural stone mined directly from stone quarries before being cut into thin sizable slabs, fabricated and polished into countertops.
Quartz countertops, on the other hand, are engineered stone products containing a large percentage of real natural quartz mixed with other minerals for color and durability. Note that quartz slabs are not mined from quarries like granite. They are instead formed from stone byproducts ground up and bound together with resin binders to form slabs for countertops.
The Appearance
One clear advantage that granite has over quartz countertops is that each slab of granite is totally unique in pattern and color from all the other slabs. Meaning that you will never find two similar slabs of granite.
Quartz countertops, being an engineered product, have a more uniform appearance, although there are many colors and unique patterns available at Stone Interiors New Orleans Countertop Store, including some forms that really resemble granite.
Your choice after this countertop comparison will be a matter of personal preference. If you are really keen on the real look of natural stone, then granite countertops will be your best fit. But a lot of people claim to find quartz countertops offering a better look compared to any natural stone.
Cost Differences
No question about it: Both granite and quartz kitchen countertops are premium, and high-dollar materials. In the past, if you were on a budget, these countertops would have been a no go zone.
However, today, with the availability of New Orleans countertop deals and discounts from Stone Interiors, the price of granite and quartz as well as New Orleans Marble Countertops has been made more affordable.
The price difference will be determined by your style preferences, as well as on the type of edge treatments you request. With quartz countertops becoming more popular and more available, the cost of basic countertops has really reduced, and you can get unique designer colors and styles at a huge discount from Stone Interiors in New Orleans.
The prices for these two countertops varies because both are sourced overseas. These are container-shipped products across oceans, a major reason why their cost depends on the cost of petroleum. There are still other factors that can affect pricing including tariffs.
countertop comparison
Maintenance and Durability
When it comes to countertop comparison based on durability and maintenance, engineered countertops win hands down over natural stones. This does not mean that granite is not durable.
The only difference here is that Granite is relatively porous in nature and requires sealing during installation, plus periodic sealing on a regular basis. In addition, granite slabs come with inherent flaws that make them susceptible to cracking.
Quartz countertops do not require any sealing, thanks to the resins binders used in the manufacture of the slabs; and the material is uniform throughout, which means it will never crack.
The resin binders in quartz countertops make them more resistant to staining than granite. According to some reports, quartz is much less susceptible to harboring germs and bacteria, again thanks to the resin binders that make the countertop non porous.
Real Estate Value
Granite and quartz are both high-end countertop materials that will impress any potential buyer. When compared to laminate or ceramic countertops, both quartz and granite countertops will add more value to your property and make your house sell faster. Most home buyers, however, give a slight advantage to granite since it is 100% natural material.
Both New Orleans Granite Countertops and quartz countertops are premium countertop materials that will add real estate value to your home. To get more details on countertop comparison between natural and engineered stones, contact Stone Interiors New Orleans. Our on-site consultant will take you into detail about each material to help you make a more informed decision.
