So much goes on in the kitchen. For most people, the centerpiece of that special room is the countertop—which is why it’s so important to find the most durable countertop that you can.
Marble Granite World is here to tell you that if you’re looking for both beauty and brawn, you’ve got to set your focus on engineered quartz. This stone comes in all sorts of designs and colorations, and it can even mimic the look of natural stone—but the best part is that it involves half the maintenance that natural stone countertops call for.
Quartz’s Durability
The man-made nature of engineered quartz actually plays a big role in its durability. This type of countertop is made with a base of natural quartz, then polymers and resins are mixed in with the goal of binding all the particles together and sealing the pores of the countertop. These additives act as your sealant, creating a completely nonporous material that you’ll never have to seal on your own.
Quartz’s nonporous nature also makes it very hygienic. Since there are no tiny places for germs and bacteria to sneak into, your countertop is a clean and safe place to prepare food.
Quartz is known for more than its nonporousness, though. You can also expect qualities like the following:
- scratch resistance
- low risk of cracking
- stain resistance
One thing we must warn you about is heat around quartz countertops. While natural stones are used to heat (after all, they are made under very high temperatures beneath the earth’s surface), quartz countertops aren’t. That’s not to say they’ll scorch instantly if you happen to set a hot pan down, but the resins can make the surface vulnerable to high temperatures. To stay safe, always use a hot pad or trivet when you’re handling hot items.
Other Durable Choices
While we love the durability of quartz at Marble Granite World, it’s not the only durable countertop we have to offer. If quartz isn’t your style, you could also see what you think about granite and marble.
These two stones are extremely heat resistant and don’t take any issue with hot kitchen items. While it’s always wise to exercise caution in the kitchen, you don’t have to worry too much about these natural stones.
When it comes to scratch resistance, granite is not a stone to be trifled with. The only two materials that can scratch this stone are other pieces of granite or diamond.
Marble, on the other hand, is a notably soft stone, so it scratches a bit more easily than granite does. But that doesn’t mean it’s automatically delicate! Marble can still last for generations; just look at all the ways it was used to build in ancient times.
Making the Durable Choice
If you love low maintenance and don’t mind an engineered stone, quartz is definitely the best choice regarding the most durable countertop for you. If you’d prefer a natural stone and don’t mind a bit more maintenance, then granite or marble is perfect.
To get more help choosing the wisest slab for your kitchen, get in contact with Marble Granite World today at (336) 992-5214.