Picking a worktop for your kitchen or bathroom can be quite tricky… Stone worktops add that real wow factor to a room, which is why a lot of people are opting for this material over other alternatives. However, when choosing from the large array of stone options on the market, it’s important to do your homework and understand the properties of the different varieties before you make a final decision.
At Eaton Stonemasons, we have years of experience of working with a variety of stone worktops, but two of our favourites have to be quartz and granite. To help you decide on the best one for you, we have outlined the pros and cons of both quartz and granite worktops.
Benefits & drawbacks of quartz
Quartz worktops are made from engineered stone, formed by a combination of ground quartz, resins and polymers to create a solid material, offering a modern finish to your room. The material has become very popular (for the reasons below) and is only on the rise.
Benefits:
- Quartz worktops are just as strong as granite but have the added benefit of being more flexible – making them less likely to chip or crack.
- Quartz is non-porous and does not require any sealing, which offers a fairly maintenance-free kitchen work surface.
- They are stain-resistant, so dropping a glass of wine on them simply requires a quick cleanup which is easy with soap and water.
- Quartz is a great choice for anyone seeking the beauty of natural stone with eco-friendly properties.
Drawbacks:
- One drawback is that quartz can discolour over time when exposed to direct sunlight. If part of your counter receives strong UV rays from the sun while another part doesn’t, over time you may see a colour difference.
- You can expect to see seams with a quartz countertop but they will be less visible if you choose a slab that’s darker in colour.
Talk to us about quartz worktops
Eaton Stonemasons are approved fabricators of quartz worktops from various superior stone suppliers such as Ceaserstone, Silestone, Unistone, BQS, CRL and Quartzforms. We offer a huge range of quartz stone worktop colours to choose from, including plain colours, different patterns and various finishes.
For more information on our quartz worktops, please get in touch with our team on 01929 550653 or view more information on our website.
Benefits & drawbacks of granite
Granite is a natural product, quarried straight from the earth in the form of a large block. This makes every worktop completely unique with its numerous colours and textures. Suitable for both traditional and contemporary style homes, you can’t go wrong with choosing a granite worktop.
Benefits:
- The stone is extremely durable and if properly maintained, it’ll last a lifetime.
- Granite is highly heat resistant, however, we always recommend the use of trivets for hot pans, as you would with any worksurface.
- Granite worktops have a more natural finish than quartz and so they are suitable for more home styles.
- Granite is extremely sanitary. Our experts seal our granite worktops to not only enhance the surface and make it stain resistant, but to help germs.
Drawbacks:
- Granite countertops will need to be sealed year after year.
- The stone should not be considered indestructible and can break or chip if not properly looked after.
- It’s impossible to completely hide the seams in a granite counter, but a good fabricator (like us!) will make them very hard to spot.
Talk to us about granite worktops
The team at Eaton Stonemasons are here to design and supply you with the best worktop to fit your requirements. Have a look at our materials gallery for some sample colours.
The cost difference between the two materials
When talking about the price of granite, it really can vary depending on the type and quality of granite you are after. We suggest you opt for the best quality you can afford. You may also need to factor in the cost of any maintenance and repairs that may be needed due to chips, scratches etc.
Traditionally, quartz worktops were more expensive when compared with natural granite worktops. However, due to the popularity of quartz worktops over the last few years, the cost of this stone has come down.
Overview: Granite vs. quartz
All in all, at Eaton Stonemasons we are big fans of both materials for your custom worktop design and most of the time it purely comes down to your preferences. Both quartz and granite will give you a lifetime of service in the kitchen or bathroom, as long as you apply a little common sense and care.
Contact our team
We have a showroom open to the public and trade, where you can come and view a variety of samples of both quartz and granite countertops. You can also speak with our friendly team to determine the best material for your needs.
We are a family business and with a combined experience of over 75 years, we put customer care, quality materials and skilled craftsmanship at the top of the list! Check out our reviews.
If you would like to discuss your requirements or arrange to visit our showroom, please call our team on 01929 550653.
