What is better for countertops, granite or engineered stone?
Corian countertops
We get asked this question a lot, since many of our jobs are kitchen remodels. We,ve compiled some information to help you decide which would be the best selection for you.
Definitions:
Granite: Granite, otherwise known as natural stone. It is mined from stone quarries and cut in slabs.
Engineered stone: Also called Quartz, Is a manufactured product composed mostly of finely ground quartz, epoxy or polyester resins and color.
A third option that resembles engineered stone is Solid surface: Consists entirely of man-made materials, i.e., acrylic or plastic materials colored by resins. These countertops go under the names of Corian, Avonite, LG Hi-Macs, Wilsonart.
Pros & cons:
Pros – Granite: Chips and cracks can be repaired and hidden by surface polishing the material. It is resistant to heat and stains.
Cons – Granite: Is porous, must be sealed; is brittle and harder to shape. Liquids can stain and damage the surface. Even if the slab has been pre- sealed, it should be sealed again after installation, and repeated at least once a year.
Pros – Engineered stone: It is non-porous, bacteria and viruses cannot penetrate into the countertop. Engineered stone is much stronger than granite and is easier to shape. It requires no maintenance.
Cons – Engineered stone: If damaged it is very difficult to repair because of a surfacing substance. It is damaged by direct application of heat.
Pros – Solid surface: Non porous – resists stains and mildew. Scratches and chips can be polished or be repaired if damaged, as the color goes all thru the material.
Cons – Solid surface: Sharp knives will damage the surface; hot pans will discolor the countertop.
|
|
Granite |
Quartz* |
Solid |
| Stone Hardness Measurement |
6 |
7 |
N/A |
| Uniform Pattern Repeat |
N |
Y |
Y |
| Requires Sealing |
Y |
N |
N |
| Scratch Resistant |
Y |
Y |
N |
| Mold & Mildew Resistant |
N |
Y |
Y |
| Heat & Burn Resistant |
Y |
Y |
Y/N |
| Resistant to Chemicals, Acids, Solvents, Oils |
N |
Y |
N |
| Immune to Freezing |
Y |
Y |
Y |
| Manufacturer’s Warranty |
N |
Y |
Y |
|
|
So what will it cost?
Research and our experience have proven that there are too many variables to come up with a usable, generic cost per square foot. Price variables include: number of sinks, complexity and size of the countertop, color and pattern selected, manufacturer and thickness of material.
