STONE
STONE COUNTERTOP DIFFERENCES
STONE
Granite is a natural, porous rock that can be quite beautiful. It is mostly made from volcanic activity thus has the crystals and mineral speckles. Granite does well with heat. If used as a countertop, Granite needs to be sealed at least once a year. The darker the granite, the denser it is and the heavier it is. Granite has a wide spectrum of durability. It can have natural cracks and fissures, making it fragile. Most granites, once installed on cabinets, are extremely durable.
Marble is a beautiful, natural, and porous rock that is typically a little softer and more fragile than granite. It is made from sediment thus has the waves and big veins that run through it. Depending on usage, marble should be sealed every six months. Marble is typically used on bathroom countertops, showers, tubs, floors and stairs.
Quartzite is a natural stone that is extremely hard and dense. Many Quartzite slabs are semi translucent and have been used with led lights behind them, creating a beautiful glow.
Quartz is a man-made material that is very durable and non-porous. It is mostly made of resin and dye. Quartz is a beautiful product and if installed correctly, can look just like marble or granite. Quartz does not need to be sealed. The look and layout of quartz is very uniform and doesn’t have much variation, which can be a good thing to match veining or a bad thing if you want variation and a one-of-a-kind countertop. Quartz doesn’t hold up to heat as well as granite does.