17

Aug

Concrete Vs. Quartz Countertops: Which Option Is Better?

When it comes to kitchen countertops, there are natural stones are then there are man-made materials. If you’re considering man-made materials and, that too, durable ones, then you may want to know more about two materials: quartz and concrete. So, here is a comparison between concrete and quartz countertops in case you want to choose between the two.

How To Choose Between Concrete And Quartz Countertops?

The Material

First, we will discuss the material and how it’s made. When it comes to kitchen countertops, the materials you choose are extremely crucial. The composition of the material says a lot about the durability and longevity.

Concrete Countertops

When it comes to concrete, it is literally what it sounds like. Concrete is made out of mortar and cement in a very specific combination to give the material its characteristic appearance and list of qualities.

Concrete is generally a neutral material, but when pigment is added, it can be turned into a color. Concrete, because it is made out of sand and mortar, has a very rough look, and it is very rustic-looking. So, if that is what you are looking for, then you can go for it.

Quartz Countertops

Quartz is also a man-made material and it is composed of pulverized stones and quartz crystals and then these things are bound by a clear mix of liquid, which hardens to a rock-solid finish and that is resin.

The result is a countertop that looks just like marble, but the strength is exceptional. Quartz is one of the strongest kitchen countertop materials out there and it is up there with granite and other natural stones, so you know that it is good.

Durability

Next up is the durability of the materials. When you’re choosing countertop materials, they need to be strong. You can’t just get a kitchen countertop that is very fragile, because it won’t last long in the kitchen.

Concrete Countertops

When it comes to concrete, it literally looks like rocks. It is an amazing material with sound durability. It is very strong and it doesn’t budge or crack under weight or pressure. Although concrete is very hard and it doesn’t scratch or chip easily, it is still not indestructible. It can get ruined by something harsh like wire mesh or even acids. So, that is something to keep in mind.

Quartz Countertops

The stone, quartz, is one of the strongest man-made countertop materials out there. It is chip-resistant and it doesn’t break easily, especially around the edges, which are considered to be the most fragile part of the countertops.

However, that also doesn’t mean that quartz can’t ever break. That is impossible. If you use too much force or mishandle the material, then there will obviously come a time when it won’t be able to endure anything for too long and it will break and chip.

Maintenance

The next thing to go over when it comes to kitchen countertops is the maintenance. You don’t want to choose a material that is too heavy on the maintenance side of things. Otherwise, you will be spending all of your time treating the material with kid’s gloves and that is not what you want.

Concrete Countertops

Concrete is sadly porous, which means that it can absorb water into its surface and that can cause a whole lot of damage. This is why an essential part of maintaining concrete is waterproofing it and that is possible through sealing.

It is a clear coat of liquid applied to fill in the pores of the concrete slabs. In this way, water won’t be able to get in easily and your countertops will be safe. As far as cleaning is concerned, dry cleaning is recommended every day.

Quartz Countertops

Quartz is a non-porous material by nature. Since the majority of quartz is composed of crystals and resin, the surface is essentially dense and has no pores in it.

This is why water naturally beads up on the surface of quartz and doesn’t get absorbed into the material. This is amazing, because aside from regular cleaning, you don’t need to maintain it a lot.

Scratch & Heat Resistance

Another factor that people go over when choosing the perfect countertop material for their kitchen is the scratch and heat resistance.

Concrete Countertops

Concrete is generally hard, but it is not entirely scratch-resistant. Even though concrete is amazing when it comes to resisting heat, the same can’t be said about scratches. It is quite soft and it can easily get scratched.

However, that is not too big of a problem, because removing scratches from concrete countertops is easy and doesn’t cost a lot either, since the supplies are readily available and they don’t need to be searched far and wide.

Quartz Countertops

Quartz lacks a bit in the heat resistance department and it makes up for this drawback in the scratch resistance department. Quartz, even though it is hard and durable, can get blistered really easily and that is because resin is not naturally heat-resistant.

As for scratches, you can use the roughest, most abrasive cleaning agents on the surface and quartz will not be affected in any way. So, conclusively, both materials lack in one department and excel in the other.

Cost

Concrete and quartz vary slightly in pricing and installation. Quartz is generally a tad bit more expensive than concrete, when you combine the actual cost of the material as well as installation and maintenance, so this is something you need to keep in mind.

Both materials generally cost fairly, so they’re not as expensive as exotic materials, but you still want to have a reasonable budget for them, so you are not overspending. Kitchen countertops are a necessity, but that doesn’t mean that you can splurge on them.

Environmental Impact

This is something that not a lot of people think of, but judging by the declining health of the planet with each passing day, this is something you need to consider.

Concrete Countertops

Concrete is naturally more environmentally sustainable because the materials which are used to make concrete are naturally sourced. However, some practices are very damaging to the environment, like the high temperatures under which cement is made.

The end product, concrete, is not toxic at all and it doesn’t emit any sort of harmful compound once it is installed in the kitchen. The point is, the material is very stable when it comes to environmental impact.

Quartz Countertops

Okay, so quartz is also a man-made material, but the fact that it uses resin, and a lot of it, makes it very damaging to the environment, especially when it is made. It is treated under very high temperature and pressure, and the toxins left behind are very harmful to everyone. So, that is something that is a huge thumbs down when it comes to quartz countertops.

Resin is a petroleum-based compound and if you know how they’re made, then you’ll want the production to stop all at once, because it is very damaging to the environment.

Conclusion

Concrete and quartz countertops both have their qualities and drawbacks, and now you know exactly what they are. Get in touch with a quartz countertops contractor Potomac to take a look at a variety of natural stone and engineered countertop options.

28

Jun

A Comparison Between Granite And Solid Surface Countertops

When it comes to buying kitchen countertops, there are many materials you can choose from. From natural materials to man-made wonders, the list is a mile long. Well, if you want to know the difference between solid surface and granite countertops, then you’re at the right place.

Granite Vs. Solid Surface Countertop

The Material

Knowing about the materials and what they’re made out of is super important.

Granite Countertops

Granite is a natural stone and it is basically an igneous rock that is very hard and very beautiful. Granite is made out of molten rocks, mica, and other sediments within the Earth’s surface, and the stone is created under the influence of high temperatures and pressures. Then, mica is also introduced to give the stone a very beautiful and stark appearance that is characteristic of granite. It is quarried from the ground, cut into slabs of different sizes, and then sent to retailers all over the world.

Solid Surface Countertops

Solid surface, also called Corian, is a man-made countertop material. It is made out of resin and materials that include either aluminum or bauxite, pulverized stones like quartz, granite, and sandstone, and the two are mixed to form a very hard and cohesive material that looks like stone but is just scraps of material bound with resin.

Solid surface is a beautiful material to get for your kitchen if you want something similar to quartz or marble because the appearance is striking and the price tag won’t give you a mini heart attack.

Durability

The next thing to go over is the durability of the materials. Now, even though you don’t have to get a material with Herculean strength, that also doesn’t mean that you should settle for a material that cracks even with the slightest force.

Granite Countertops

Granite is a very durable material. It is considered to be one of the best materials out there when it comes to strength and durability. It is a natural stone that is made under high pressure, so you can do just about anything on it and it won’t budge. The edges are usually the most fragile part of any countertop material, but with granite, even the edges are super strong and they won’t chip away.

Solid Surface Countertops

Solid surface is a decently durable material, but it is nowhere near as strong as natural stones or even other man-made materials such as quartz. Since it is mostly resin, the material is very soft and it can’t do much when it comes to heat. So, you know that you won’t be able to do a lot with it in the kitchen, because it can deform and that is not what you want.

Cost

The next thing to go over is the cost of the countertop materials. You want to get something that is decently reasonable. You don’t want to be either a cheapskate or over-the-top when it comes to splurging on a countertop material.

Granite is considered to be more expensive than solid surface countertops. It is not something that has to do with how luxurious the material is, but since granite is a natural stone and it is quite popular as compared to solid surface, the price also speaks for itself.

Solid Surface countertops are cheaper than granite, however, they are also less durable than granite. So, this is why you need to make a clear decision about which material you need.

Maintenance

Next up is the maintenance of the material. When it comes to materials, maintenance is something that a lot of people are concerned with because they obviously want a material that is easy to look after, but they also don’t want something that can’t be repaired by simple fixes.

Granite Countertops

Granite, because it is a natural stone, needs a lot of maintenance. It is not something you can do just by cleaning the countertops and making sure that there aren’t any stains. You have to ensure that it is sealed at all times, it doesn’t fade away, and that it doesn’t get any permanent stains, and for that the maintenance costs are also extremely high.

Solid Surface Countertops

Solid surface is easy to maintain. It is something that can do well with just regular cleaning, but you need to keep in mind that it does get heat blisters if you put too hot things on the countertops. Moreover, it is more at risk of chipping and scratches as it’s a softer material compared to granite and quartz.

This is very common to occur in solid surface countertops and it is something that you have to keep in mind because heat blisters will completely ruin the countertops and you’ll need to replace them, if anything.

Installation

Now comes the part where you actually get these babies into your kitchen for use. Installation is really important to consider when you’re thinking about getting a material for your kitchen countertops.

Granite Countertops

As far as granite goes, it is a material that is quite heavy, so you will need to rely on a professional when it comes to installation. If you’re choosing granite slabs, then it’s better if you opt for a professional, whereas if you’re going for tiles, then DIY is a route that you can consider too. However, you need to know how to do it otherwise you can botch the job and things will take a turn for the worse.

Solid Surface Countertops

When it comes to solid surface countertops, they are not the best when it comes to DIYing. Be it the material itself, or something about the weight or installing it in the kitchen, it is better that you hire a professional for solid surface countertop installation because this is something that will make or break the results.

You don’t want to have crooked countertops all because you want to save some money in the long run. This is why you need to think things through.

Performance In The Kitchen

So, which one is the best material to use in the kitchen? This is the big question and the answer depends on a lot of factors and circumstances.

Granite Countertops

When it comes to granite, it is generally great for the kitchen as long as you waterproof it. Since you’ll be dealing with moisture and juicy foods in the kitchen all the time, it is better that you take this step.

On the flip side, granite does amazingly well in heat, so that is a huge plus. You don’t need to rummage for a trivet when your steak or roast is sizzling away.

Solid Surface Countertops

Solid surface countertops are amazing to work in moisture-rich environments, because they are virtually non-porous. They don’t let water into their surface, so there is little to no chance of them getting spoiled in the long run.

However, they’re not as great when it comes to contact with hot things, because it is soft and resin is not naturally an insulator of heat, which is why it can be deformed by high temperature. So, this is a very confusing limbo of the two materials to navigate and decide.

Conclusion

Granite and solid surface countertops both have their own sets of positives and negatives, but the decision is ultimately up to you in the end and this guide will help you make the right choice. Get in touch with granite companies Potomac for countertop selection and installation.