By Marie Owens
A trend I’m starting to see is that homeowners are looking for something other than granite for their countertops. I’m often asked, “What’s new and different?”
Well, there is no latest, greatest innovation in countertops. But quartz, which has a new and improved look, is something to consider.
First of all, what is the difference between granite and quartz? Granite is a natural stone product that is quarried, then sliced and polished. It comes in a variety of colors and vein patterns that give it movement. It’s heat-resistant and scratch resistant, but some grades of granite will stain so sealing is necessary. The possibility of staining was off-putting to some who didn’t want to be bothered with the upkeep of resealing the stone every year. But upgrades in sealers means that instead of sealing annually, the sealant can last from 10 to 15 years.
Quartz is a mineral found in granite and quartz countertops are composed of 93 percent quartz particles, but the particles are mixed with resin to bind them together. So quartz isn’t a natural stone, but an engineered stone. The advantage to quartz is it’s a nonporous surface, which makes it antibacterial and safe even for hospitals and restaurants. Quartz also is stain and heat resistant.
Quartz can be ordered in a variety of colors, even white and black. The appearance depends on how the quartz is ground: coarsely ground quartz produces a flecked appearance, while finely ground quartz produces a smooth look.
For a time, some quartz manufacturers were trying to manipulate the quartz to look like granite. In my opinion, I didn’t think it was a good look. Recently, quartz is going back to a softer, prettier finish, making it an attractive option to granite.
Granite is still a wonderful product, but I see a trend going toward a less “busy” surface than granite with its swirl of colors and veining.
So there are no “new” products, but quartz is certainly starting to look better.
If you want an alternative to granite, quartz is a good choice.
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