The Pros And Cons Of Different Countertop Materials

Homeowners have several choices when it comes to choosing what material to use for their kitchen countertops. Before making a decision, homeowners need to assess what their individual needs and wants are, what their budget is and what kind of look they want. It may be a good decision for someone who wants quartz countertops in Concord to go ahead and get quartz, but for someone else in Texas, they’re needs are probably not the same as the person in Concord. This is why it’s important for people to figure out what works best for them. To help with this decision-making process, here are the pros and cons of quartz, granite and tile countertops.

The Pros And Cons Of Granite, Tile, And Quartz Countertops

Granite
One of the pros of granite is that it is a natural stone that is quarried from the earth, and thus is very unique. Each slab of granite that is cut has its own unique color and pattern, and comes in dozens of different options. Another pro is that granite is a good mid-range price compared to other kitchen countertop materials. However, granite also adds value to a home, meaning that although it’s not the cheapest option, it can end up giving back to the homeowner if they decided to sell their home. A con of granite is that it’s a highly porous material, so bacteria and spills are easily soaked up by the stone and kept there. Also, granite usually has to be sealed once a year to help with the porous problem. Another con is that granite can scratch and stain very easily, and can only be cleaned with non-acidic cleansers.

Tile
Ceramic tile is one of the cheapest options, ranging from $4 to $8 dollars per tile. This price may increase, however, if custom shaped tiles are used. Another pro is that ceramic tile is highly customizable, since it is shaped from clay and then cooked in a kiln or other heating device. This allows homeowners to become very creative with how their countertops will look. Also, tile is resistant to heat and since it’s glossed, it’s also resistant to stains. A con of tile is that it can often times have an uneven surface, and the grout that is needed in-between the tiles can be difficult to clean.

Quartz
One pro of quartz is that it’s 93 percent natural stone, and the rest is resins. This allows manufacturers to create regular patterns in the quartz, which makes it easier on homeowners to decide what quartz to get since they don’t have to actually look at the slab, they can just see a sample picture. Another pro is that quartz can actually be made to look like granite, and still comes in as a mid-range priced material. Another pro is that quartz is non-porous, so it’s very easy to clean and manage. A con of quartz is that it isn’t very heat resistant.

Homeowners should keep these pros and cons in mind when deciding what material to choose. Whether it’s quartz countertops in Concord or granite in Texas, this information on countertops is helpful to all homeowners.

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