When you walk into a kitchen, the first thing that really stands out is the countertops. They can make or break a space as they command so much of our visual attention.
Countertops can definitely be one of the most difficult decisions during a kitchen remodel. You want something that is durable and matches your needs but also something lasting when it comes to your tastes. Countertops aren’t something you want to replace every couple of years and changing them up isn’t as easy as a can of paint.
Quartz
Did you know that quartz countertops are actually engineered in a factory? Their main ingredient is, of course, ground quartz but that is then mixed with resins and pigments. This means that they come in just about any color you could want.
They are also the most durable and easiest to maintain of any countertops. They are nonporous so they never need to be resealed, and they are scratch and stain resistant.
Another benefit in our smaller market here in Erie: You can pick your quartz countertops from samples, which brings us to…
Granite
Unlike quartz, you have to pick your individual slabs of granite, which means a shopping trip to either Pittsburgh or Cleveland (a good or bad thing, depending on your feelings about shopping).
Granite is natural stone that is mined. (This is another reason to perhaps prefer quartz: Granite does have a bigger environmental impact.)
Granite must be cleaned every day to maintain the shine and to make sure no spills turn into stains. Further, it typically needs to be resealed once a year, though there are now some semi-permanent sealers that can last 20 years or more and come with great serviceable warranties. Although this may be an extra cost, it evens the playing field and well worth it if you love the look of granite.
When it comes to heat resistance, though, granite beats quartz. Granite can resist very high heats so you can take that pan of lasagna out of the oven and put it right on the counter; you couldn’t do that with quartz.
Countertop choices can get overwhelming, but not to worry… we’re here to help you sort through all the variables.