Pros & Cons Chart: Granite Vs. Quartz, Marble, Corian, Silestone
Redford, MI (PRWEB) December 31, 2013 -- GRANITE VS. QUARTZ
Pros:
Granite and quartz surfaces are very durable and capable of lasting a very long time. They are both heat, scratch, chemical and stain resistant. Quartz surfaces are engineered from natural quartz while granite, in and of itself, is a natural stone. Both surfaces are very low maintenance. While granite is limited to the colors nature has produced, quartz is artificially colored throughout for a custom and unique look. While granite and quartz are in the upper tiers of cost, they will give you the longevity and durability associated with their price.
Cons:
Quartz is a manufactured stone and it is hard to duplicate the veining and pattern look you get from genuine marble or granite. Quartz is slightly more expensive than granite.
Granite is porous, so staining is possible without a quality sealer.
Pros:
Both Granite and Marble are made of genuine natural stone which means each slab is unique and beautiful. Marble is famous for it veining, which has led to the term "marbling." Marble also ages beautifully. Granite and marble comes in a large variety of colors and the options and patterns are endless.
Cons:
Marble is porous and should have a quality sealer to prevent staining. Because the minerals that compose marble are sensitive to certain chemical agents, it is important to wipe spills away quickly. Anything acidic or basic will leave an etch mark if left on the stone for too long.
Pros:
Corian is man-made and created by combining minerals and acrylics. Corian offers more accessories such as integrated sinks and coved backsplashes. Both come in a wide variety of colors. Corian is easier to get in specific colors than granite. Corian and granite are comparable in the cost of the original installation.
Cons:
Granite offers a few more pros than Corian in that fact that it is heat, stain, scratch and chemical resistant. Granite also requires less maintenance then Corian and other solid surface materials.
Cracks and scratches are inevitable in Corian and though they can be repaired, its often expensive. Corian can also become damaged if exposed to heat.
Corian slabs are only 30" wide, so if you have a wide island or peninsula, or an usual shape (id. boomerang), it will require more seams than granite or quartz surfacing. The seams are inconspicuous but not invisible.
Sarah Kelly, Great Lakes Granite & Marble, http://www.greatlakesgm.com, +1 605.302.0113, [email protected]
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