The countertops in your home or business location are one of the things that people notice first when they visit. You need to be sure that your countertop surfaces are a good match for your aesthetic goals and also for the durability demands of your home or office space.
Many people end up looking at quartz vs quartzite when it comes to countertops because these two countertop materials are high-quality, durable, and beautiful. There are also other countertop material options that you might want to be aware of, but you will probably end up coming back to these two beautiful options.
If you are not sure what kind of countertop materials you want to check out for your construction project, this article will help you to narrow the list down to your favorites with ease.
Types of Countertop Surfaces That You Will Love
1. Quartz
Quartz is manmade and is a really beautiful countertop material option. It is 90-95% ground quartz mixed with polymer resins and pigments. It comes in many colors and styles, and it is ideal to work with when it comes to cutting for installation. You will also never run into the issue that is common with natural stone, where you need to buy excess slab material in case of breaking, cracking, or damage during installation.
Quartz is reasonably affordable and can withstand heat and other challenges with ease. It also doesn’t need much upkeep as it is not porous, and it does not scratch or dent readily.
2. Quartzite
Quartzite is a natural stone that comes in many beautiful colors. It is made through the metamorphosis of sandstone over time, and it is hard and quite durable for a natural stone. It is rated a seven on the Mohs scale of hardness, which means it is really durable and hardy for a natural stone product.
That being said, quartzite can still stain, scratch, and dent. You will need to seal your quartzite countertops on a regular basis. You will also need to avoid placing hot objects on them and avoid spilled coffee, kids’ painting projects, and other activities that might stain your counters due to their porous nature.
3. Marble
Marble countertops are undeniably beautiful, and at one point, they were the luxury standard for homes and offices looking to add countertops that had that little extra something about them. Marble comes in a wide array of colors and usually has unique and beautiful veining due to the natural processes that lead to its formation. Carrara marble is the most popular option of all as it is the least expensive.
Marble is very porous, which means that it needs to be sealed on a regular basis and cared for correctly. You will also need to be aware that marble cannot tolerate exposure to heat and it will etch if acidic liquids or products are spilled on it. Marble is also quite expensive and you will need to buy excess product to cover your bases in case sections of your marble crack or break during the installation process.
4. Laminate
Laminate is very affordable and can appear like natural stone. This is the kind of surface that is common in apartments and starter homes. This kind of surface is very affordable and holds up well for daily use. It will not tolerate heat and will bubble if something hot is set directly on it, but laminate doesn’t stain readily and is easy to clean and care for. It also doesn’t need to be sealed or treated on a regular basis like a natural stone product.
5. Concrete
Concrete countertops have become increasingly common in homes and businesses. This kind of material is fairly cost-effective and easy to install. However, it still chips, and it can crack as well over time. Think about concrete sidewalks and walkways, and you can imagine the aging process with a concrete counter. You will also need to seal your concrete countertops on a set schedule, as concrete is actually porous, just like marble or other natural stone countertop materials.
Concrete can be very beautiful, however, and it creates a really unique look compared to other countertop material options.
6. Granite
Granite is another natural material that you can use for countertop surfaces. This is a very durable stone that can last for decades. Granite, like marble, will have unique colors and patterns that are quite beautiful and can offer a very upscale vibe for your home or business location. Granite is expensive, like most natural stones, and it can still suffer damage when exposed to heat or acidic liquids.
You will need to seal granite just as you would with marble, and you need to pay careful attention to seams in granite countertops to be sure that you do not damage the cut edges of the granite with heavy objects or heavy use at these locations. Granite will also require that you buy an excess of material in case some of your product is damaged during the installation process.
There Are Many Beautiful Countertop Surfaces That You Can Choose From
When it comes to countertop surfaces, you have lots of options out there on the market today. You can find the perfect countertop for your needs and tastes with ease. You will find that most natural stone surfaces will require more upkeep than manmade products. You might need to include space in the budget for the excess material that is used during the installation process, as well as setting aside money for long-term care of your natural stone countertops.
Creating a luxurious feeling for your home or business space is easy with any of these countertop material options. Quartz and quartzite are by far the most commonly-selected countertop materials these days and for a good reason. If you are ready to look into installing high-quality and beautiful quartz counters, our team of experts can help! We have years of experience in offering exceptional quartz solutions for your home or business space.
