When it is time to select the countertops for your Minneapolis home renovation or new build, your monumental decision is likely to be deciding between granite and quartz. The battle is ever heated as members of each camp are entirely devoted to their side. In the case of your new countertops, some facts can help you make the proper selection for your home and lifestyle.
What Is Granite?
Granite is a mined stone that is sawed into slabs to form solid rock countertops. The beauty and pattern of the stone are 100% natural and only enhanced by polishing. The colors, designs, and intricate details in the stone result from minerals and thousands of years in the ground. When you select a granite slab countertop, it is a one-of-a-kind work of art courtesy of Mother Nature.
What Is Quartz?
Quartz is also a natural stone. However, quartz countertops are man-made using crushed quartz and pigmentation to achieve the final appearance. Typically, a quartz countertop is between 92% and 94% quartz, and the remainder is a resin binder and coloration. Because this surface is manufactured, it can be replicated to create multiple countertops that are visually very, very similar.
Maintenance And Care
All countertops should be cleaned daily with a mild soap or cleaner. Oils and other food and drink spills should also be wiped up immediately to avoid staining. With quartz countertops, that is about the extent of the care needed to keep the surface looking great. However, when you have a natural granite slab, there is more potential for staining. Therefore, to prevent permanent damage, granite countertops need to be sealed regularly to maintain their beauty. Finally, even though both surfaces have a life expectancy of up to 50 years, the natural granite slab will crack and chip more readily than the man-made granite surface, so added care should be taken to protect the surface.
The Average Cost
Both of these premium countertop surfaces are considered to be at the high-end of the pricing spectrum. They can be acquired starting at around $80 per square foot installed. The quartz top-of-the-line selections will cost around $140, while the highest quality granite can reach about $175.
For most homeowners, the decision comes down to a blend or balance of appearance, durability, and care to decide which is best your their homes. Once you have selected your material, there are just a few other, less taxing choices to make. But the one decision that is never in question is whom you will hire for this job. Rock Solid Tops has been exceeding customers’ expectations for fabulous countertops for over three decades. Their fabrication and installation processes have been refined to deliver the highest quality finished product for you to enjoy for many years. Call 612-270-4239 and learn why everyone in the region who is shopping for new countertops calls Gordy and the Rock Solid Tops team for a perfect job every time.