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If you want to redo your kitchen with a beautiful and durable stone countertop, you have many options. Although people often talk about them as “granite countertops,” there are many natural stone options. In addition, it’s essential to understand the difference between quartz and quartzite and what sets quartz and other engineered stone products apart from each other.
“Granite countertop” can be used in a specific or generic way. When people use countertops specifically, they refer only to countertops made of natural granite. Granite is an igneous rock made of quartz and different types of feldspars. Used generically, a granite countertop might be any natural stone countertop, including marble countertops and quartzite countertops, or even an engineered stone countertop that looks natural.
Quartz countertops are engineered countertops made with a combination of natural stone or other materials held together in a resin (plastic) binder. Because they’re engineered, quartz countertops can guarantee a consistent or specific appearance. Some forms might be less expensive, but not always. In addition, they often have performance drawbacks when compared to natural stones.
Although quartzite countertop sounds like quartz, the two are very different. Quartzite is a natural stone with excellent durability, including hardness, high chemical resistance, and high heat resistance. Quartzite comes in a wide variety of natural patterns.
Engineered stone countertops are a broad category of synthetic material countertops. In addition to quartz countertops, there are sintered materials, fired materials, and more. Sintered or fired stones are essentially advanced ceramics produced on a large scale. Engineered stone can give a consistent appearance and performance, sometimes greater than natural materials. For example, semiprecious stones are often chosen because of their distinctive appearance, a combination of natural stone with a special binder.
The best countertop for your kitchen is unique to your situation. To determine the best countertop for your kitchen, you should answer a few questions.
When choosing your kitchen countertop, you want to make sure it will make you happy. Granite countertops fit in a wide range of styles, from modern to rustic. However, you might want to consider an engineered material for the most modern styling, which can precisely fit your vision.
Some quartz and engineered stone countertops are vulnerable to UV radiation. They’re not suitable for kitchens that get a lot of sunlight, including outdoor kitchens. Ask about the UV stability of any countertop if you have a sunny kitchen.
Every kitchen countertop must endure a certain amount of impacts, spills, and heat. However, if you’re tough on your countertops, you will want a highly durable surface like a granite countertop, quartzite countertop, or high-performance engineered stone countertop. Usually, it’s best to resist the temptation of a marble countertop. It looks pretty, but it’s vulnerable to scratches, wear, staining, and even damage from acidic foods like lemon or tomato.
The Get Inspired™ Experience at the Stone Collection is unlike what you’ll find at other stone suppliers. At The Stone Collection, we have the largest selection of unique, exotic natural stones, semi-precious stones, and engineered stones in the United States. We search the world to get distinct natural patterns and the best performing engineered materials. You can visit one of our showrooms in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Phoenix, Texas, or Utah without an appointment and see our selection for yourself.
Wander the floor and look for ideas on your own, then talk to our surface specialists to help ensure the material you choose has the look you want and the performance you demand. If necessary, they will steer you to the right products for you. Then we can hold the product for you for up to 14 days for free as you line up a fabrication expert.
Don’t settle for mediocre countertops. You and your kitchen deserve the best, and you can find the perfect stone at The Stone Collection. Contact us today or just come by.