The kitchen is the heart of your home. It’s where meals and memories both get made.
For many homeowners, having their dream kitchen is on their list of must-haves when their house shopping. Unfortunately, it doesn’t always work out that way and they have to remodel it later on.
If this is you, welcome to home improvement! Living through a remodel can be trying at times, but in the end, you’ll have the kitchen you dreamed of.
There are a lot of decisions you’re wading through right now. You’re trying to decide on the lighting, cabinet finish, and flooring.
We’re going to give you a hand with your countertops.
Most people assume they’ll get granite because — why not? Everyone else has granite countertops. But if you don’t love granite, you have other choices!
We’re going to give you an overview of solid surface vs quartz. These are two popular materials for countertops that may be more your style than granite.
The Difference Between Quartz vs Granite
Many people confuse granite and quartz countertops. Just from looking at them, it’s easy to see why.
Both have gorgeous veins of colors and are stone material. But if you look a little deeper, you’ll see their quite different.
Granite is one of the most popular materials for countertops these days. In fact, more than two million metric tons get shipped to the U.S. every year.
Granite is igneous rock formed by cooled magma under the Earth’s surface. It’s made up of feldspar, hornblende, mica, and quartz.
Quartz countertops contain natural quartz but it gets engineered with other materials. They all get pressured together with a resin binder to form the slabs.
They’re both considered premium materials.
Choosing Between Solid Surface vs Quartz
A lot of people choose quartz over granite because it’s more durable, has a more uniformed look, it’s nonporous, and doesn’t need to get resealed.
You may be leaning toward quartz now, but you should hold off until you hear about solid surface.
You may think this is a brand-new material but it isn’t. Solid surface countertops have been around for decades. But, they recently just got a facelift.
For years, you probably knew solid surface as Corian. It mimicked the look of natural stone like quartz and granite. But, it’s not as expensive.
Solid surface is a mid-grade material. It a huge step up from laminate, but it’s nowhere near natural stone.
There are three specific things to consider when you’re trying to decide between solid surface and quartz.
1. Practicality
Quartz – Because it’s nonporous, it’s very sanitary. Quartz is second only to diamond, sapphire, and topaz in toughness, which means it’s durable and scratch-resistant.
It can withstand up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Solid Surface – More durable and sanitary than laminate. Seams get fused together to appear nonexistent.
Extreme heat can loosen the seams and cause the colors to fade. While it is durable, it’s not scratch resistant. Bacteria can grow in damaged areas and severe damage requires a complete counter replacement.
2. Appeal
Quartz – Uniformed color and pattern. You can customize it (for a premium price). Because of the resin, it has a natural gloss or polished look without needing sealant.
Solid Surface – There are hundreds of patterns and colors to choose from. It won’t look natural, though, and can even have a rougher feel to it.
3. Price
Quartz – One of the downfalls of quartz is the price. It’s very expensive. In fact, it can cost as much as $15,000 to install 100 square feet.
Solid Surface – Price is where solid surface shines. You can get 100 square feet installed for less than $5,000.
Ready to Decide?
When you started your kitchen remodel, you likely never considered solid surface vs quartz countertops.
But now that you know the benefits of quartz, are you starting to lean that way? Or, does the price have you a little concerned?
If you’re interested in Quartz countertops and in search of a countertops installation in Suwanee don’t let the price scare you away. Talk to us first.
We offer huge discounts without sacrificing quality. Contact us for your free consultation today!
