Quartz or Granite Worktops

Quartz or granite worktops – which is best?

If you’ve researched the best types of worktops for your kitchen or bathroom, you’ll know granite and quartz worktops top every list. However, the biggest question every homeowner wants to know is when choosing between quartz or granite worktops – which is best?

It’s a hard choice because both quartz and granite are superior materials with an impressive list of benefits that make them both perfect for use as kitchen or bathroom worktops. Yet there are differences between the two so let’s take a thorough look at these two premium materials and settle the quartz vs granite worktops debate once and for all.

Here’s a simple guide to help you choose between granite and quartz worktops with ease.

What makes granite and quartz worktops so good?

If you want to install the best type of worktop in your home, you’ll need to choose quartz or granite worktops. Both materials have outstanding heat resistance, stain resistance and scratch resistance which makes them ideal for use in kitchens and bathrooms. Both granite and quartz worktops are extremely hardwearing.

Granite quartz worktops both deliver a beautiful, high-grade finish that instantly makes any decor look high end. They are both incredibly long-lasting and simple to maintain so the value of installing either a quartz or granite worktop is huge.

To the untrained eye, granite and quartz worktops look similar but there are differences between the two so let’s take a closer look at how these top materials differ.

Why choose a granite worktop?

The pros of granite worktops are many. Granite is a naturally occurring stone. Granite stone is revered for its stunning, elegant appearance which has long been a mark of quality.

Granite has been used to create luxurious structures for over 4000 years, including many of the most famous historical statues, buildings and landmarks that can be found all over the world.

One of the reasons why granite worktops are prized so highly is because they are made from a single slab of granite stone. Quarrying granite in huge slabs which are then shaped into structures such as worktops makes granite remarkably robust. These large slabs of hard, strong stone mean the lifespan of your granite worktop is unbeatable. Better still, because each slab is taken from the ground then cut into shape and polished every granite worktop is completely unique. No slab of granite can ever be the same because it is an organic material and this unique quality adds to the premium value of a granite worktop.

Once granite stone is polished, it retains its gleaming, smooth appearance for a notably long time, creating the high quality finish everyone desires so much.

Ensure you buy your granite worktop from a premium retailer because although granite is highly resistant it is a natural stone so it must be sealed properly to ensure no liquids are able to find their way into the channels in the grain over time.  You should avoid using alkaline and abrasive cleaning products on a granite worktop because you could cause damage to the natural stone surface.

Granite Styles 

The natural grain and patterns found in granite stone such as the Simply Granite Alaska Vintage or the Belvedere Polished has long been considered a thing of beauty. When you choose a granite countertop there are all sorts of combinations of veining, spotting and colours you can choose from so it’s easy for everyone to find a slab of granite that they fall in love with.

The most expensive types of granite are the ones with the rarest aesthetic and the least seams. Seams are part of granite’s natural aesthetic because it is an organic material so it’s hard to hide any installation seams which is a mark of a true granite worktop.

The colours of granite countertops are neutral yet wonderfully intricate in organic detail, creating a luxurious, elegant, timeless look guaranteed to add long term value to any room where it is used.

Why choose a quartz worktop?

Deciding to install a quartz worktop offers many advantages. Quartz is a natural, hard, crystallised mineral found in rocks located deep in the Earth’s crust. Its transparent appearance and robust structure have made quartz a prized substance for thousands of years.

The quartz used in quartz worktops is made from a hardwearing mixture of quartz particles and polymer resins which bind the crushed quartz crystals together to create a superior type of quartz.

93% of the mixture used to create quartz worktops is natural quartz so quartz countertops are incredibly strong.

Although quartz worktops are highly resistant to heat, an exceedingly hot surface, such as an extremely hot oven tray with a surface temperature surpassing 250°C, could damage the manufactured interior structure causing an internal fracture. We do recommend the use of trivets or heat resistant pads for extra protection. Similarly, cleaning a quartz worktop with products that include strong chemicals is likely to cause damage to the finish applied during manufacturing.

Quartz Worktop Composition 

The combination of lots of tiny crushed natural minerals that have been forced together under pressure and topped with a polished finish means high-quality quartz worktops end up looking like natural stone worktops, such as marble. Moreover, manufacturers can manipulate the combination and shades of colours to create a vast range of high-end worktops.  Beautiful examples such as the Simply Quartz Irini and the Simply Quartz Grey Shimmer showcase the high end craftsmanship.

Ensure you only choose premium quality quartz worktops because lower quality quartz countertops will look artificial. Some people choose quartz because they want a high-end worktop in a bespoke colour or prefer the high degree of glossiness that the manufactured finish of a quartz countertop delivers.  For others, the less visible seams in a quartz worktop provide the final aesthetic they need which is best achieved with a coloured quartz worktop.

Quartz or granite worktops – which is best?

So the granite quartz worktops debate depends on the finish you want and whether you prefer a manufactured or natural worktop. Both quartz and granite worktops deliver a high-end finish that is incredibly strong, highly resistant and appealing to buyers, the choice is down to your individual preference and the finish you require.

Browse our huge range of premium granite and quartz worktops at surprisingly affordable prices today. With our fast and efficient, tailored end to end service you can have your bespoke quartz or granite worktop installed within 4 – 10 days.

For the finest quality quartz and granite worktops at lower prices than national retailers, shop our enormous collection of worktops today or call 01924 903949.