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When it comes to choosing which stone surface you want for your countertops, the selection can be overwhelming. Should you get marble? Granite? Quartz? Each has its own benefits, but all make wonderful countertops. In this article, we will be discussing our two best-sellers, granite and quartz.

Granite

Granite is an igneous rock formed deep below the earth’s surface. Due to its location, crystals form and cool slowly. This is why the grain in granite can be seen so clearly. The grains of granite vary based on the exact depth and location of formation. Coarse-grain granite contains large crystals, whereas fine-grain granite has smaller rock particles. Neither is better or worse, it’s really just a matter of personal preference. 

Granite is composed of several types of rock fused together. Most commonly, you will find quartz, feldspar, mica, amphiboles, and other minerals. Granite forms when these rocks become molten, fuse together and cool into a single piece of granite. When excavated, these pieces of granite can be enormous and weigh around 40 tons. These are then cut down into slabs and polished to be used for countertops and other various projects. 

Granite is a great option for countertops because it is easy to care for. It is very durable and does not stain or scratch easily. There are things to avoid that will damage the stone, but, generally speaking, granite will hold up against kitchen messes and daily use. The color of granite is dependent upon the minerals and rocks that make it up. You can find granite in shades of gray, black, white, tan, and more! We highly suggest granite if you spend a lot of time in the kitchen. For high-traffic countertops, granite is wonderful. It can resist heat for fresh-from-the-oven meals, withstand bumps and scrapes, and resist stains and water damage. 

Quartz

Quartz is the most abundant mineral found at earth’s surface. Quartz is available anywhere in the world because it can form at all temperatures. Quartz is a metamorphic rock that has a distinctive hexagon crystal formation. It is found in all other forms of rock, including granite. In its pure form, quartz is a transparent crystal, but typically it is a more opaque white or grey. 

Quartz is rarely found by itself, especially in countertops. In fact, quartz countertops are a form of engineered stone comprised of some granite along with other stones, gemstones, or minerals bound together with a resin or other binders. Because quartz countertops are engineered, it is possible to see them with very interesting stone pairings that can give you more colorful and unique options. It is also common for manufacturers to add pigment to the stone surface for even more vibrant results. You can find quartzite countertops which is sandstone with many crystalline minerals, but engineered quartz countertops are more popular.

Quartz is a great candidate for kitchen countertops for several reasons. Firstly, quartz does not need to be sealed as natural stone surfaces do. The finish from the factory will last for many years if you stay on top of cleaning your counter. There are special quartz cleaners that are safe to use, as well as recipes for DIY cleaners comprised of soap, water, and a few other simple ingredients. You don’t want to use just any cleaner because some chemicals and additives can break down the resin and binders in the countertop. 

As we mentioned, many people opt for quartz countertops over granite because of the many colors and design options available. You can get much more vibrant countertops when you go with quartz, and they can be more resistant to stains than granite. 

Both granite and quartz make great countertops. You’ll be happy with the results no matter which you pick. If you’re looking to upgrade your countertops, call Ventura Stone today to speak with our experts! We are always happy to answer any questions you may have about the whole process from selecting which stone is right for you to the installation of your finished countertop. Call (805) 654-1834 to get started!