If you want to distinguish your kitchen, installing a new countertop can add a touch of class and elegance to this important part of your home. The great thing about countertops made from stone or minerals is that they are also very functional: They are perfect for working with dough and pastries, so if you like to bake, having a stone countertop is an essential. There are two types of materials commonly used as kitchen countertops: quartz and granite. Each material has its own good qualities that make it a good choice depending on your particular needs. Let’s take a look at these characteristics:


Granite - Granite slabs are typically featured in some of the most beautiful kitchens in the world. Granite is highly valued because of its hardness. The main advantage of granite over quartz is that it has more attractive color patterns that can make for an eye-pleasing countertop surface. The main problem with granite today is the fact that it is become so popular: the demand has driven the price higher than ever before.

There are also problems with maintenance and installation: Granite requires sealing from time to time and matching different slabs can be tricky. Recently some concerns have been raised regarding the potential threat that granite poses from radiation emission. This problem however only concerns certain rare types of granite. Most of the granite types that are used for home countertops are considered to be safe. Still if you are planning on using granite for your home, it is better to consult your contractor and ask them to make sure that they use only granite types that have been certified to be safe by experts.

Quartz - Quartz is one of the most abundant mineral on Earth, so it has the advantage of being quite common and affordable. Quartz is a very hard mineral, and ranks highly in durability when compared with others. Quartz is very easy to maintain and install, and it is completely free of any dangerous radiation emissions.

The main drawback of quartz countertops is that they can be prone to burn marks because of the resin used in the manufacturing process. Still, many of homeowners prefer to use quartz in their homes because it presents a more modern appearance than other alternatives.


Whether you choose to use granite or you go for quartz, these two materials can make your kitchen look elegant and sophisticated.

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About the Author:
Peter Wendt is a writer and researcher from Austin, Texas. Over the years he has become an expert in free SEO article directories. Readers who are interested in learning more should check out articleshare.info.

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