Natural Stone vs. Quartz

Several factors need to be considered in choosing the best countertops for your kitchen. One of the major concerns that you need to think about is the material that brings into play when looking for kitchen benchtops.

What most people look for in terms of material is natural stone and engineered stone such as quartz.

Natural stones and quartz both vary in their individual specifications. They have their own strength and weaknesses that make one stand out from another.

What is Natural Stone?

Natural stones are found in nature and are formed by the natural process. They are quarried directly from the earth in large slabs and wedges. Once they are all polished, fabricators cut it down according to the different specifications of countertop in the market.

Granite and marble are the best examples of natural stone countertops which are pure in nature. They are extremely resistant to heat and offer an incredible variety of colours and shapes for your kitchen benchtops. For this reason, they are considered to be the most commonly used natural stones.

One of the advantages of a natural stone is its uniqueness and beauty that cannot be paralleled by any man-made stones. For benchtops to last long, proper care and maintenance are necessary. Offers ageless beauty when properly sealed.

What is Quartz?

Quartz is also known as engineered stone. It is not found naturally, rather is made from quartz crystals, mixed with resins and pigment for colouring. Some of the most commonly used engineered stones are Silestone, smartstone and quartz stone.

Quartz countertops are fully customized and known for its non-porous mixtures. It is composed of 93 % natural quartz. Hence, it is more resistant to scratches, stains, bacterias and viruses. It is easy to maintain and it offers a wide variety of colours to choose from.

However, quartz countertops are less grand and opulent than other natural stones. It does not produce a natural unique pattern and style unlike natural stone but, it can still add aesthetic beauty to your kitchen because of its excellent colour choices.

Natural Stone and Quartz Similarities

Natural stone and quartz are both good for your kitchen countertops. Whether large or a small kitchen, both can offer aesthetic beauty which can last for a long time if properly taken cared of. Natural stone and engineered quartz are easy to clean.

Both natural stone and engineered quartz offer beauty and durability.

Natural Stone and Quartz Differences

Natural stone and quartz, however, have also important differences. Before planning to install countertops for your ideal kitchen, you should also consider these:

Durability

Both natural stone and engineered quartz offer good durability. However, both differ according to the strength and hardness.  Quartz is significantly stronger than natural stones. Nevertheless, this doesn’t mean that natural stones are not good for your kitchen. The only difference is that engineered quartz are man-made. They are made in labs and properly processed in order to produce a strength and durability for your kitchen.

Natural stones, on the other hand, are purely natural and quarried to produce a slab and size which can be good as countertops.

Appearance

When it comes to appearance, both stones also vary. Natural stones produce natural unique patterns, unlike engineered quartz. If you want a unique countertop with its own irregularities, patterns and colours, natural stone like granite is the perfect fit for you. Natural stones’ colour can last long because it is purely natural. It is much like a work of art that you cannot easily find elsewhere.

On the other hand, engineered stones can give you the consistency of design and pattern that natural stone cannot provide. You can select countertops with its exact pattern and colour. It is designed to achieve a very specific and uniform pattern, movements, natural variations to its colours and appearances.

Although engineered stones provide consistent pattern and design, its colour may become dull over time. When exposed to too much heat, discolouration may occur.

Maintenance

Natural stone and engineered quartz are easy to clean. However, when it comes to maintenance, quartz may win this time. Quartz is a non-porous material which is not easily affected by acids brought by juice spills, coffee stains and scorches. Its durability makes the material resistant from scratches. But, it does not make the quartz countertops resistant from heat.

So, you might need to be careful in putting your hot pans on your quartz countertops.

Natural stone is a great investment for your home if you want to add beauty to it. But, it should be properly sealed for it o last long and to avoid replacement more often.

Natural Stone is a porous material. Therefore, it absorbs more liquid that makes it even harder to maintain.

Conclusion

Proper care of both natural and quartz stones will, of course, a great way to make it last for a long time. Both are excellent in their own strength. However, the choice is still in you.

They are both beautiful and durable and have great competitive market value. They may be expensive than other countertops but the price is worth it. Engineered stones are suitable for a very busy kitchen and where high traffic usually happens. Natural stone, on the other hand, produces unique and ageless beauty to your kitchen benchtops.

Both have benefits but the right material for your specific needs and styles will always depend on you.

If you’re still confused about what material to choose from, you can contact us now for more information.