When designing or redesigning your space, knowing the difference between countertops can be a game changer. A counter can easily become your statement piece. Not only are countertops one of the vital aspects of design. They are also a key piece to your room’s functionality. Get ready to learn what aesthetically catches your eye and its pros and cons.

Quartz

Quartz is a beautifully engineer enhanced stone countertop. The look of quartz countertops is achieved by its manmade engineered look that is composed of ground up quartz combined with resin and fillers. The curation of quartz has been developed over the years to give it a seamlessly perfect natural look. This is why you might hear it referenced as “engineered stone”. Because it’s created designers are able to control the appearance further through colors and various patterns.

Why We Love Quartz

We love quartz because it offers our clients a spectrum of colors and patterns to choose from. The durability of quartz can be a game changer for some clients. Because it’s engineered, it’s a nonporous option of countertop. This means that it doesn’t have to be sealed in like other stone tops such as marble or granite. Therefore, it won’t get water stains easily. The nonporous surface also means that that this countertop will harbor less germs.

It’s popular for its scratch resistance. Compared to other countertops such as granite, quartz is a lot more difficult to scratch. It is still possible for quartz to be damaged by deep pressure scratches. However it can be fixed with epoxy fillers or even buffed out.

Colors for quartz may range from cool colors such as whites, beiges, gray to darker colors such as dark gray or even black.

Downside to Quartz

Due to being manmade with resin material, quartz can be easily heat damaged. A prevention to ensure protection against hot pans and baking dishes are heating pads.

Granite

Granite is a popular natural countertop derived from granite slabs which are created naturally from emerged volcanic magma which cools and hardens. This stone is mostly made of quartz, feldspar, and other trace minerals. Depending on which trace minerals are in that composition changes the appearance of its color. Granite may exhibit veins and visible crystals. The patterns of granite are going to be more natural and less tightly patterned when compared to quartz or marble.

Why We Love Granite

Durability is everything and granite sure has it. This strong stone can sure hold up against damage. We also love how versatile this stone is when it comes to designing. It can add a splash of luxury with a natural finished look. We believe it’s a timeless countertop that can be utilized for many styles of kitchens and bathrooms. An extra perk for installing granite is that it adds amazing resale value to your home.

There are a wide range of colors to choose from when selecting granite. Colors range from a variety of white, pink, red, blue, green, and black.

Downside to Granite

Due to having a more porous surface, granite is more apt to stain. A great prevention for this is to have it sealed when installed and also have maintenance sealing done by a professional. Even though the countertop is extremely durable, if it is damaged it is highly difficult if not impossible to repair.

Porcelain

Porcelain countertops are on a rising trend in kitchen and bathroom designs. This is an engineered countertop created through the same process as making fine china. During the fabrication process porcelain is glazed. Glazing is when they can curate the porcelain to give it the appearance you’d like in regards to color and pattern.

Why We love Porcelain

There are a wide range of colors and patterns to choose from making it one of our favorites to design with. Porcelain can even be created to mimic the look of marble or natural stone veining if you’d like. The options of glazing are endless. The glaze used to color porcelain also acts as a seal which protects it from staining there is also a low chance of color fading over time with porcelain countertops.

Cleaning it is a breeze, you don’t have to worry about what you put on porcelain countertops since it doesn’t have a seal. You can use harsher chemicals to clean without worrying about the seal wear.

Downside to Porcelain

Just like other countertops, porcelain can chip or crack. No matter the material, we always have to be semi careful with our countertops. With that being said porcelain is still 30% stronger than granite countertops.