GRANITE COUNTERTOPS

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Granite countertops

Granite countertops are renowned for their durability, elegance, and natural beauty, making them a superb choice for any kitchen or bathroom. At Integrity Stonework, we pride ourselves on providing five-star fabrication and installation, ensuring each piece perfectly complements your space while standing up to the test of time.

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Granite vs. Quartz

When choosing between granite and quartz for countertops, many clients prioritize aesthetics, as both materials offer unique visual appeal that enhances any space. Granite, with its natural beauty and distinctive veining, provides a timeless elegance, while quartz captivates with its consistent patterns and vibrant colors. At Integrity Stonework, we understand that each client has their own vision, which is why our true Five-star service ensures personalized guidance in selecting the perfect countertop that complements your design style and elevates your home.

AppeArance

The Appearance

and Durability of Granite vs Quartzite

Granite and quartzite both offer stunning aesthetics for countertops, yet differ significantly in composition and maintenance. Granite, an igneous rock, is known for its wide range of colors and patterns, while quartzite, a metamorphic rock, boasts exceptional durability and strength, often resembling marble. In terms of maintenance, granite requires periodic sealing to prevent staining, whereas quartzite is less porous. Ultimately, the choice depends on your specific needs; each brings unique beauty and practicality to your home. At Integrity Stonework, we ensure our clients receive unparalleled service and quality options to enhance their spaces.

What material is best?

Beauty indeed resides in the eyes of the beholder. Whether you choose granite, marble, quartzite, soapstone, Dekton, or another option, your new kitchen will be stunning and ideal for both entertaining and everyday enjoyment for years to come. As you consider your options, you will naturally be drawn to the material that most aligns with your personal taste.

Durability

The Issue of Durability

While natural granite is strikingly beautiful, it does have its weaknesses. The stone needs to be sealed at installation and resealed on a regular basis. Quartz doesn’t require this level of care. In addition, natural stone countertops including granite, slate and sandstone stain quite easily. Granite that has been sealed with a resin-based product during manufacturing will be more resistant to staining than standard granite, but still not as stain resistant as quartz.

Granite can also crack and chip more easily than quartz. Both have a lifespan of 25-50 years depending on the level of care they are given and how they are used. In the area of durability, quartz has the advantage over granite.

cost difference

The Cost of Granite vs. Quartz Countertops

It’s really a toss-up in this category, quartz ranges from $70-$140 per square foot installed and granite starts at about $65 and can go to $175 or slightly higher for exotic material.

natural granite countertops

The Greener Building Material

Natural granite countertops produce fewer carbon emissions during production than quartz countertops. Neither one emits significant amounts of radon or volatile organic compounds. Granite has the slight edge as an ecofriendly building material.

Choose the best

More Reasons to Consider Granite

Are you still undecided about which is the best choice for your home,? If so, here are some of the additional reasons given by homeowners who chose natural granite over quartz.

Nothing Beats the Real Thing: This is the approach of homeowners who really enjoy having natural materials in their home—they choose solid wood flooring instead of laminate or engineered wood, wool areas rugs instead of nylon. If that sounds like you, you’ll appreciate the natural beauty of granite and see its potential flaws as character.

This really is the chief reason to select granite, quartzite, soapstone, or Marble over quartz. Some say that quartz is up to 94% natural because of the content of crushed quartz. That’s true, but it’s like saying concrete is natural because its ingredients are found in nature. Like concrete, the quartz is heavily processed, and that takes away the natural feel and turns off some homeowners. When you look at natural stone, you see the striations and slight color changes that make the stone unique. The color and design is real. Quartz countertops feature designs that were engineered into them. Fans of natural materials would rather have a chunk of stone mined from the earth adorning their cabinets and not something whipped up in a factory and artificially colored.

The Bottom Line: If you ultimately decide on natural stone, make the commitment to seal it yourself or have it sealed by a professional on a regular basis. Keep a dishrag handy to clean stains immediately. Pour wine and juice into glasses while holding them over the sink or a table, not the countertop. Don’t leave wet or dirty dishes on them. Taking the extra care required will maintain the natural beauty you want for your home.

conclusion

The Bottom Line

If quartz works just as well for you as natural stone, and you want something that offers more color options and requires less maintenance, are more durable and stain-resistant, then quartz may be right for you. But, if you are drawn to natural stone’s luster and unique characteristics, then the little maintenance is well worth the trade off (as a side note we can also put you in contact with professional sealing companies offering lifetime guarantee for a natural stone worry & maintenance free seal).