Quartz vs. Natural Stone: Similarities, Differences and When to Use Each

When you&#;re opting to swap out your old bar or kitchen countertops for something new, there&#;s a lot to consider. First, you need to think about value and quality &#; are you willing to pay a little extra for quartz or natural stone, which has more staying power than laminates and can also help raise your property value? Aside from being a good investment for your home, natural stone or quartz are durable enough to withstand the wear-and-tear of extreme cooking and regular family gatherings. So, if you&#;re ready to make a valuable upgrade to your living space, here&#;s what you need to know about quartz and natural stone countertops, and what you should expect out of your install.

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First, a briefing on both:

• Quartz, in its natural state, is found in large crystals or small, sand-like grains. Once mined, the stone is mixed with man-made materials, like resin, which allows for a cleaner cut and more scratch and stain resistance. Quartz is one of the most popular materials for counters and backsplashes, due to its durability and antimicrobial, non-absorbent properties. Colonial Marble offers one of the widest varieties of quartz in the country, from the extremely durable Q Quartz to ECO, which is made mostly of recycled materials and comes in a variety of hues and textured patterns.
• Natural stone is a bit less malleable than quartz but withholds a snowflake-like individuality that makes it truly, naturally unique. Sourced straight from the earth, natural stones like a soft-colored limestone or bold marble show off raw patterns, flecks and textures that quartz can only mimic through manmade mixing. When it comes to choosing a timeless, on-trend look, Arctic Cream granite, Bianco Venatino marble and Lagos Blue limestone are three (literally) solid options. 

The differences:

• Because quartz is fused with resin and other polymers, it does not need to be sealed regularly. Natural stone, however, may require yearly sealings to maintain its smooth look and durability. Additionally, this material makeup is less prone to chipping than natural stone.
• Since quartz is mechanically engineered with naturally mined materials and binding resins, cleaner cuts are available. It&#;s because of this that quartz is considered extremely design-friendly.
• When opting for natural stone, it&#;s a good idea to go with an &#;eased edge,&#; which gives the stone a thick cut look that helps to play up the natural texture and marbling.

The similarities:

• Quartz and natural stone are both extremely heavy. Due to this, it is important to work with a professional during installation. The team at Colonial Marble will not only help with installation but can provide samples, quotes and even a Kitchen Visualizer to help you decide just where to make your upgrades.
• Natural stone and quartz do not always hold up to extreme weather conditions, making indoor installation the preferred method. If you&#;re planning on installing an outdoor bar or fireplace, make sure your granite or marble surface is safe from hard rain and the scorching sun.
• Historically, the price of quartz and natural stone, like marble, seemed out of reach for many looking to upgrade within a reasonable budget. But, as granite, marble, quartz and stone countertops become increasingly trendy in today&#;s homes, materials are becoming more and more affordable.

Now that you&#;ve received a crash course in natural stones, visit Colonial Marble & Granite for information, samples and quotes for your next home project.

When considering investing in flooring or kitchen countertops in homes, it may be confusing to choose one. Gone are the days when the decision should be made between wood and plastic laminate.
The contemporary methods of building countertops include natural stones (granite, marble, soapstone, slate, and limestone), engineered stones like quartz, plastic laminates, and even concrete. Let&#;s examine the most common materials used in recent years; quartz and natural stones.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of Natural Quartz Countertops. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

Origin of Natural Stones and Quartz

As the name suggests, natural stones are organic rocks excavated from the earth and used for decorative and building purposes. They are made of one or more minerals.
After being extracted from the earth, the stones are shaped and molded for numerous applications like decorative or wall stones, paving, and flooring. Each natural stone is unique, and deviations occur according to color, shade, texture, etc. Types of natural stones include granite, limestone, marble, slate, quartzite, and sandstone.

Is quartz a natural stone?

Quartz is a chemical compound that is found on the earth&#;s surface. It is generally found in mountains, rivers, beaches, and deserts. Quartz, however, is a crystalline mineral composed primarily of silicon and oxygen. Throughout history, it has been used for a variety of purposes.
Despite its durability and unique properties, it is one of the most useful and versatile natural substances.
Due to its translucent nature, quartz is also used in the glass-making industry for many uses.

Comparison between Natural stone Vs. Quartz

The main difference between the both is that natural stone is 100% natural, and quartz is man-made stone ( engineered stone). Natural stone is unique from slab to slab, making it challenging to coordinate two slabs because of the uneven color and pattern. However, with quartz, as it is versatile, the countertop can be consistent in color and design, with no irregularities or mismatches

Durability and Maintenance

In terms of durability, Natural stones have the characteristics of rocks; they are more prone to staining as they can absorb liquid when something spills, whereas quartz having resins are waterproof.

The spills in natural stones should be cleaned immediately to protect them from permanent damage. There is no maintenance cost related to quartz, as spills or dirt can be fixed with a sponge or water. Maintenance is free for quartz as there is no sealer needed. In contrast, Natural stones need to be sealed every 1-2 years.

Strength and Installation

Quartz is flexible as it a less likely to crack and easy to install. Due to 93% quartz and 7% resin composition, quartz is stronger than natural stones like granite or marble.

Design Variety and Affordability

When considering the style and design of the countertops, It is challenging to maintain a consistent style in natural stones as each of them is unique, but quartz can be customized according to the color and style of the countertops. And has a variety of colors, patterns, and styles to choose from.
Engineered quartz is also more affordable when compared to natural stones.

Conclusion

Choosing quartz is a wise investment as it will last a lifetime with less or no maintenance cost. And no complications in selecting a colour as it has a variety of options.

Should you require any help in making the right decision that matches your personality, contact Marble Unlimited. Call us on (919) 596- or get a free estimate here.

For more information, please visit Classic Countertops.