GRANITE OR QUARTZ?
UNDERSTANDING THE DIFFERENCE
To understand which to choose, you must learn the difference between granite and quartz. Below, you will learn of the pros an cons of both choices.
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Solid Stone vs. Engineered Stone
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To put plainly, granite is mined from pure stone while quartz is manufactured from crushed stone, which is why it is often called engineered stone. Granite is sawed into slabs or made into tiles and polished for installation. Quartz is mixed with pigment (for coloration) and resin (as a binder).
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Appearance
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The two differ in appearance. Your choice depends on what you prefer. Granite shows slight, natural variations in the hue of the stone, since it's a natural stone. Quartz, on the other hand, is more consistent in its textures and patterns. It also offers a wider array of colors.
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Durability
One of the two options is more durable. Because granite is derived from nature it requires extra care: The stone must be sealed at installation (and resealed regularly) to preserve its quality. Quartz is more forgiving. Quartz also wins when it comes to risk of staining. Natural stone can stain quite easily and has a higher chance of cracking or chipping.
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Though sealing granite with a resin-based product during manufacturing can increase resistance to staining, chipping, and other harmful elements, quartz is still the better option, in this case.
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The Greener Option
As granite is more fragile in the home, it also is kinder on the environment. This natural stone produces fewer carbon emissions during production, as opposed to quartz. Though neither produce significant emissions, granite does boast to be the more eco-friendly choice.
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