When you are trying to decide on countertops for your multi-family kitchen renovation project, there are some key factors to consider. Today, quartz and granite are the most popular countertop choices in apartment kitchen renovations and have become expected by residents. Why is that and how do you decide which one?
Granite
Let’s start with granite, this material is very durable. With proper care, granite may be the last countertop your property will ever need. Granite is a heat resistant natural stone. It comes in variety of colors, patterns and variations, such as softer earth tones, reds, blues and sometimes greens. Granite has many different striations between each slab and that is what gives granite its unique appeal.
The only downside of using granite is that it is a semi-porous material that can trap water and bacteria that could make it unsafe for kitchen use unless it is sealed periodically, about once or twice a year. There are many sealers available at your favorite home improvement store that are easy to apply. The key is making sure the granite is clean before you seal. If it’s maintained properly, granite will last indefinitely compared to other common counter materials like: laminate, tile, butcher block or concrete.
Quartz
One of the most significant reasons people decide to choose quartz is because it can be more durable than granite. Quartz is strong enough to dull the best of knives when cutting directly on top of it. Quartz is a man-made engineered stone, it is created by crushing quartz crystals and combing them with resin, color pigment and synthetic materials. Quartz countertops have multiple benefits not normally found in granite countertops. Unlike granite, quartz doesn’t need to be sealed making it virtually maintenance free, it’s nonabsorbent, so you won’t have to worry about staining or the countertop containing unsafe bacteria. This quality can go a long way throughout the years of multiple renters utilizing the countertops.
Quartz is a great choice for those who want a consistent pattern and color. There are numerous beautiful color options available for quartz countertops. The biggest disadvantage of quartz is that it’s not as heat resistant as granite, so placing a hot pot or pan onto the countertop could damage or possibly ruin it. That also means that installing a quartz countertop on an exterior BBQ grill is typically not favorable over granite.
There are going to be advantages and disadvantages to both granite and quartz, but in the long run, both are great options that will bring unmatched durability and beauty compared to other countertop surfaces.
