16

Feb

Wood Vs. Granite Countertops: Which Option To Choose?

When it comes to kitchen countertops, there is a plethora of materials to choose from. Here is everything you need to know about wood and granite countertops, as well as which one is best suited for your kitchen.

Differences Between Wood And Granite Countertops

The Material

First up, we will explain what is the material actually made of.

Wood Countertops

As you know, wood countertops are made of hardwood. Usually, hardwood countertops are all 100% natural wood. In engineered wood and other treated wooden countertops, there might be some additives that make up for the strength of the material, but generally, wood is all natural, and it doesn’t have any additives. So, wooden countertops are naturally sourced and they’re really beautiful to look at.

A lot of people love wooden countertops because they add an element of warmth to the entire kitchen. So, if you’re someone who loves natural-looking countertops, then wood is definitely the one for you and it will steal your heart. However, if you also want to be mindful about the environment, you can use reclaimed hardwood or bamboo countertops.

Granite Countertops

Granite is an igneous rock and it is made out of the crystallization of molten magma. It is also mixed in with veins of mica, and it adds a very shimmery and beautiful look to the stone.

Granite is a natural stone that is extremely popular for kitchen countertops owing to its beauty and durability. It is a favorite among many people and even though it is a bit high maintenance, it is just so worth it.

Durability

Next up is the durability of these materials. When it comes to kitchen countertops, you do want to prioritize durability, because a material needs to be strong enough to be withstand the use and exposure in the kitchen.

Wood Countertops

When it comes to wooden countertops, they are not as durable as natural stones. Of course, they’re not fragile, but you do need to take care of them. Instead of traditional hardwood, people tend to go for engineered wooden countertops, because those are a lot more stronger than the former and they have amazing durability. Yes, they’re treated to make sure that they can endure everything, but it is the best choice you can go for.

Granite Countertops

Granite is literally a natural stone that is made under high temperatures and pressures. So, it is strong and durable. That’s not to say that granite counters don’t chip, but they usually don’t crack that easily. Moreover, unlike wood countertops, they don’t rot or warp.

Yes, granite does have some weak spots like the edges or the sides, since they are always exposed and are shaped in a way that makes it easy to break, but it is still stronger than many natural stone, engineered stone, and wood countertops.

Heat Resistance

Heat resistance is also a very important factor to consider when you’re considering a kitchen countertop material as you want to choose something that won’t leave you in the dust.

Wood Countertops

Wooden countertops are good when it comes to heat resistance, but again, they’re not great. Wood is an insulator of heat and you can’t really feel the hotness of the temperature on the surface, but that still doesn’t mean that heat won’t do anything to the countertops.

Hardwood countertops are prone to heat blisters and the stains left by very hot pots and pans can be diabolical. So, this is something that you need to take care of and make a habit of using trivets and coasters.

Granite Countertops

As for granite, the stone is made under high pressure and temperature, so there is very little that shakes this material to its core. You don’t have to worry about blisters or stains, because that won’t be a problem with granite. It can withstand very high heat and it’s highly unlikely that your sizzling steak will do a lot of damage to this robust material.

Still, you do want to ensure that you’re using a trivet or even a cutting board just to keep the countertops looking pretty for longer, because even though heat won’t budge granite, it can discolor it over time, which is not what you want.

Scratch Resistance

This is also a very important thing to go over, because you will be using all kinds of pointy and sharp things in the kitchen.

Wood Countertops

Wood countertops are good when it comes to scratch resistance. They don’t easily get scratched as compared to other materials that are a lot softer and more fragile, and they also don’t get ruined when you use sharp knives directly on the surface. Over time, yes, it can cause damage and scratches will appear on the surface, so it’s better to use a cutting board.

Granite Countertops

Granite is also decently scratch resistant, but there can be certain areas where the probability of scratches can be more than others. This is why it is always recommended that you use a cutting board, no matter how durable or strong your countertops are.

You want to avoid scratches at all costs because deep scratches won’t only look bad but they can also damage the seal. This means spills and debris can settle into these spaces and cause issues.

Maintenance

If you’re going to get a countertop for your kitchen, then you also have to think about the maintenance. This is yet another thing that you have to think about long and hard.

Wood Countertops

Wooden countertops do need to be sealed from time to time. This is something that is non-negotiable when it comes to use in the kitchen. If you don’t seal your butcher block countertops, then you will be done for. The surface will get faded and damaged very quickly.

If you take care of something, then it will last and the same goes for wooden countertops.

Granite Countertops

For granite, maintenance is also necessary. This is something that you just can’t get past. You have to seal the countertops, because granite is a naturally porous material and if you let moisture and water sit on the surface for too long, then stains will become permanent, and your countertops will be ruined.

Which One Is Better?

This is a question that only you can answer. This is not something that is very straightforward and cookie-cutter. You need to know which material ticks all the boxes for you.

In some cases, wooden countertops will take the cake, while in some other cases, granite countertops will seem more up your alley. So, the best thing you can do is to understand your preferences to figure out which countertop material is the best for you.

If you love the look of warm wood, regardless of its shortcomings, then wooden countertops are the ones for you. If you love rustic and beautiful natural stones, then granite countertops are the ones to go for.

Conclusion

Granite and wood both have their own set of qualities and downsides. It’s about preference and which look you’re going for. Get in touch with a granite contractor Rockville for guidance, and taking a look at various countertop materials, including granite and wood.

18

Jun

Wood Vs. Quartz Countertops: Is Quartz Better?

Kitchen countertops may seem like they’re no-fuss and you can just choose any material, but selecting the something that doesn’t meet your needs and requirements can surely trigger buyer’s remorse. If you’re leaning towards wood and quartz countertops, here is a comparison between these two countertop materials.

Comparing Wood And Quartz Countertops

The Material

You know the drill – you can’t decide which material is better for you if you don’t know what makes it. So, it is crucial to know the material, its composition, and everything in between.

Wood Countertops

Wood is, well, wood. It is also known as butcher block and it is a material that is sourced from the good ole trees. Trees have been the greatest source of wood since the beginning of time and over time, wood has gone through a lot of processes to make it perfect for use in the kitchen.

It is an environmentally friendly material that is a great insulator of heat and it looks really rustic, but in a good way. So, you know that it is always a winner when it comes to aesthetics.

Quartz Countertops

As for quartz, it is more like a rock, as compared to wood, but the great thing is that it is a man-made material. It is quite literally the best stone out there if you are looking for something that won’t demand a lot and will stay in pristine condition for longer.

Quartz is a light material that is made out of pulverized rocks and minerals, and everything is bonded with resin to give it that solid finish with a bit of sheen. It is a material that will win hearts with its qualities.

Durability

The next factor to consider is the durability of each material. Let’s be honest – if you are going to pick a kitchen countertop material, you want it to be strong. You don’t want to spend money on fragile material. It is literally of no use.

Wood Countertops

Wood is a decently durable material. It is not indestructible by any means, but if you are a die-hard fan of wood and want to get it in your kitchen, then you can, because it is amazing.

Wood is treated to ensure that it lasts in the kitchen for some time, but it does fall victim to cracks, especially if you put a lot of force on it, sit on it, and even manhandle it too much, which can lead to cracks.

Quartz Countertops

Quartz is an all-rounded amazing material when it comes to durability. It is strong, it is rock hard and it doesn’t budge even if you put a lot of weight on it. It is a great choice to go for, if you want something that is not fragile like marble, because it is going to last you a good while, even decades if you maintain it well.

Variety

People, no matter how minimal they are, want some sort of variety when it comes to countertop materials. Well, you need to see the same for wood and quartz, so that you can choose something that will entice the senses.

Wood Countertops

Wood doesn’t have a lot of color or finish options. You can only really get warmer colors in wood and it is available in a honed and polished finish. You can stain the wood to make it look a bit different, but again, the color will fall in the warm yellow or red category, so there is only so much you can do with wood.

Quartz Countertops

Quartz is available in almost any and every color your heart desires. The main reason for this abundant variety is because it is man-made and when things can be made by someone, you can dye the material any color you want.

All you need to do is choose a color and the fabricator will put in liquid dye or mica in the quartz mixture and you will have the color that you want in no time. Amazing, isn’t it?

Maintenance

Maintaining kitchen countertops can be a mean feat. It is something that you have to do, but you also want it to be manageable, because you don’t want to spend all of your time maintaining and looking after the material.

Wood Countertops

Wood is a high maintenance material. It needs to be sealed because it is not naturally water-resistant. It also needs to be polished from time to time, especially if you’re going for a glossy finish. Also, wood can catch fire and it can lead to heat stains, so you want to ensure that you are protecting wood countertops from these hideous black stains.

Quartz Countertops

Quartz is not as high maintenance as wood or any natural stone. Quartz, since it is man-made, is non-porous by nature, so you really don’t need to seal it. It can bead the water up on the surface and there is nothing that you have to do, besides wiping the water away on the surface.

Also, it has a naturally polished finish, but it can wear off over time, so you’ll need to freshen it up. One big drawback of quartz is that it can gradually fade, especially in sunlight, so you want to coat the countertops with a UV protectant to ensure that it doesn’t go from beautiful to bleh.

Price

The price is also something you’ll need to consider, because as good as a material is, it also needs to be affordable.

Wood is considered to be the winner in this department since it is way less expensive than quartz. Yes, some specialty woods can run expensive, but that is not always the case. Since quartz is made in a meticulous way and needs special equipment to cut and fabricate into slabs for countertops, the cost adds up.

Heat Resistance

Heat resistance is probably the most crucial thing you need to go through. You’re working in a kitchen. It is going to get hot in there and you have to get a material that won’t get burned by the woes in the kitchen.

Wood Countertops

Wood doesn’t do well when it comes to high temperatures. It doesn’t mean that you can’t ever put a piece of hot steak near it.

However, you have to understand that will cause blisters on the surface of the wood and that will just ruin the entire look of the butcher block countertops, which is the last thing you want after you’ve spent so much time getting them installed and making them look the way you want them to look.

Quartz Countertops

Heat is not an issue a huge issue for quartz slabs. First of all, the components used to make quartz are all quite heat resistant, and then comes the treating process in which the resin hardens, so you know that quartz can withstand a lot more than it looks like it can handle. So, if you want a material that is decently heat-resistant, then quartz is the best.

Conclusion

Wood and quartz are two different completely different materials. The former is an engineered stone while the latter is a natural material. If you want a rustic kitchen, then choose wood countertops. However, if you want a material that is durable, low maintenance and available in a variety of colors and patterns, then quartz countertops will be right for you. Get in touch with a quartz countertop contractor Rockville for taking a look at various quartz samples.