Countertop Options

Are you trying to decide what countertop material to choose? There are many options out there today but two very popular choices are granite and quartz. There are plus and minuses to each one, of course, but here are a few things that may help you make your decision.

Granite has been popular for a very long time. Most will consider it's major downfall the fact that is is not maintenance free and that you have to seal it. Rest assured it is simple to do, but you must remember to do it.

You can buy granite sealers at your local stone yard or even the home center type stores. All you have to do is either spray or apply the sealer to your tops (preferably at night after your main kitchen use is done) and wipe them down.

As an upside, think of granite like a piece of art. No slab is identical and there are some rare and exotic slabs that may make yours truly one of a kind.

Granite can be just the right amount of color needed in your kitchen space. Granite can stand up to heat but it can stain (especially the lighter stones) if not taken care of.

Quartz is an engineered stone and has also been around for a good while now. Most will love it for the fact that it is claimed to be "maintenance free." You do not have to seal quartz.

Most quartz providers claim to be heat, scratch and stain resitant to a certain extent.

One of it's biggest downfalls is the limited available slab sizes which, in result, can make it expensive. Some of the quartz products out there are now trying to achieve more of a "granite" type look and one that does a nice job is Cambria.

Otherwise, many of their available colors have a more consistent pattern to them. 

You cannot go wrong with either product. Both granite and quartz will help make any kitchen look great. Once you determine the qualities that you are looking for in your new countertops, it will be easier to make your decision.