Why Granite or Quartz?
Variety
The sheer variety offered by granite and quartz worktops, be it in terms of colours, patterns, grains or designs, is almost endless. A challenge to find such a wide choice with any other worktop material.
Water Resistance
Another major property of granite and quartz worktops, which greatly works in their favour, is that they are highly water resistant. If you happen to spill water or any other liquid on the worktop, there is no risk of it seeping inside and causing damage or staining. Even if a few minutes have passed, you can simply wipe the spill and forget all about it though early cleaning is advisable wherever possible of course.
Maintenance
You may want to reseal your granite every 12 months to keep your kitchen worktops looking new. Resealing creates a non-porous layer on the surface to protect the granite & prevent stains. There are lots of granite sealing products on the market.
What's the difference between Granite & Quartz?
Granite is a natural product and every piece is unique which adds to its beauty. No two pieces of granite are ever the same, meaning that whichever one you choose it will always be bespoke and unique to your home. Quartz is a man-made composite material made from 3 materials, granite, quartz and resin, and by its nature it is stronger than granite but can also more expensive in some cases. Quartz is also a very uniform product so matches up well and is known for its durability, solidness & amazing colours.
Visual Appeal
One of the main attractions of granite and quartz worktops is that they are simply amazing to look at. The elegance offered by them can hardly be matched by any other material. Granite is a natural product and truly unique.
Durability
If you are looking for durability, then granite or quartz worktops will serve your needs perfectly. Install a granite or quartz kitchen worktop in your home and forget about replacements for years on end. And apart from having a long life, a granite or quartz worktop also needs very little maintenance.
Cleaning
Granite and quartz are renowned for their durability and low maintenance but there also many ways to clean them and keep them looking great. Avoid using cleaners that are too harsh as they could damage the sealant & dull the finish. Basically all you need to do is apply warm soapy water, wipe over with clean hot water and finally remove any residue with a soft cloth. A micro fibre cloth is best, or you can clean them with a natural granite cleaner product sold at local supermarkets and home improvement stores.
Other Advantages
Amongst the other many advantages of granite and quartz worktops, you can count on the fact that they have a high resistance to heat. So if you are planning to install them in your kitchen, you can forget about the worry of placing a hot pan on your granite or quartz kitchen worktop. Granite and quartz worktops also have a high resistance to a number of bacteria making them extremely hygienic.