Thanks to advancements in the stone-cutting businesses, you’re no longer stuck with archaic options with how your interior will look like. This left us with a lot of options to choose from and it can sometimes be overwhelming. If you’re stuck with deciding whether to get a quartz vs granite sink, you’ve come to the right place as we’ve prepared a handy guide to help you decide between the two.
Quartz is a strong, resilient material that has become all the more popular over the years. While quartz kitchen sinks look just as stunning as natural stone, they are lower maintenance than granite or marble.
Quartz composite sinks are made from a mixture of quartz and acrylic resin, which means they have a natural look with a man-made surface finish. Quartz is one of the hardest materials on the planet, making a quartz composite sink a desirable choice for homeowners. These countertops are built to last despite the natural wear and tear that kitchen surfaces face over the years.
So what are some pros of a quartz sink? Let’s get into some of the specifics below.
Though quartz composite sinks have many positive qualities, there are a couple of important things to bear in mind before you make your final choice.
With aesthetic qualities similar to their close relatives, quartz composite sinks, granite composite sinks are created with a granite dust and acrylic resins. These sinks are stylish and modern without sacrificing the qualities a sink really needs — durability and resistance to wear and tear. Thanks to this, they’ve become a much-loved alternative to the more traditional choices of stainless steel sinks.
Much like quartz composite, granite composite sinks have their own advantages and drawbacks. As you determine whether a quartz vs granite sink is right for you, make sure to consider the benefits and downsides of both materials closely.
What makes a granite composite sink such a popular choice? Here are just a few benefits of composite granite.
Let us show you our marvellous granite project for you to get inspired.
Despite many benefits, a granite composite sink does have a few downsides to think about.
Probably one of the first things to look into when choosing between quartz sinks vs. granite sinks is the aesthetic appeal of both the material. As the saying goes, the beauty is in the eye of the beholder so you’ll be the judge of this as it will all depend on your taste, but be sure to learn the difference between the two. Quartz is usually human-made and not pure as it needs a binding agent. This is the reason why companies strive to produce quartz slabs that are unique in their way by experimenting with different patterns and color variations, giving you a lot of options to choose from. Whereas granite is made by cutting slabs of natural stone, making sure that no two slabs are alike. This also means that with granite, you’ll rest assured that your sink is unique in its design. So if you prefer stones that are straight from Mother Nature, granite sinks are the way to go.
Porosity is also an important characteristic that should be looked into when selecting your sink, as it influences susceptibility to stains, sturdiness, and other elements that will determine the lifespan of the sink.
Granite has a higher porosity than quartz, but a higher porosity doesn’t necessarily translate into better quality. This is because the higher the porosity of a material is, the higher its absorption rate, which means that it can easily be stained with spilled food particles and drinks. This makes it a breeding ground for bacteria and viruses alike.
A lot of maintenance will be needed to prolong the lifespan of a granite sink, like sealing it every 1-2 years. To add to quartz sinks’ pros and cons, quartz is generally not porous, making it less prone to staining. However, this means that it can be a problem in hotter climates, as it can’t repel heat due to its compact nature.
Granite composite sinks are a different story. Due to the high-pressure process used to create composite granite, it is far more resistant to damage and it doesn’t require sealing or resealing. It does however lack the natural patterns present in its regular counterpart.
Origin dictates a lot of properties of stone and heavily influences the choice of most homeowners. You can tell a lot of the material’s features by looking at the origin alone. As mentioned earlier, granite is a natural material, while quartz is synthetic. This explains a lot why quartz is more refined since it’s manufactured synthetically.
Since the impurities are taken care of, you don’t have to worry too much about the maintenance of this material. You can also count on this stone to be available in various colors and patterns to suit your preferences.
On the other hand, granite tends to be more natural so you can appreciate the unique design it comes with. Since it’s found in nature, it’s more stable compared to the one that’s manufactured. Note however that it tends to have impurities. This also means that you have to invest in its maintenance to preserve the natural beauty of the stone.
It’s not always the aesthetic appeal that makes homeowners decide what material they’re going to use to create their sinks. It’s equally important to consider the amount of effort needed to maintain the beauty of these stones.
In the Moh’s scale of hardness, and 10 being the hardest, quartz placed at 7th while granite is at the 6th spot. This means that quartz is harder than granite which indicates the durability of the materials. Since quartz is harder, however, it can be very heavy and can be difficult to install.
In terms of maintenance, as mentioned earlier, granite is porous while quartz is non-porous. This just means that granite has a lot of minute spaces or holes in the material which allows liquid or air to pass. This makes granite a lot more absorbent to stains and liquids that will be spilled into the material. As a result, granites are generally harder to maintain as it’s more susceptible to microbes and stain build-up which means you’ll have to clean your sink now and then. It is also recommended to have your granite material sealed to prolong its years.
In contrast with quartz sinks, you can rest assured that it requires low maintenance since it’s nonporous. This protects your sink from stains and liquid elements with its compact material. Please note however that this makes it less resistant to heat unlike granite so you’ll have to be careful when placing hot objects in it.
Last but not least, and this is the deal-breaker in some cases, is the cost of the material. Despite wanting something so bad, we still have to stick to certain budgets, especially when it comes to your home improvement.
As a broad comparison, granite slabs are more expensive than quartz, but these are just the basic kinds and it will still depend on which design and quality you’ll choose. You also have to factor in the cost of installation of the two, and in this case, quartz is generally more expensive to install than other materials. This is for a good reason, as quartz tends to be less expensive in terms of maintenance.
You can also rest assured that these quartzes are a form of investment that can last for years.
Granite and quartz can both fall somewhere between $80 and $140 per square foot, though the former can go as high as $175 for certain varieties.
While we have laid out our honest opinion about the pros and cons of granite and quartz sinks, it’s your turn to decide based on these categories that will suit your needs and will make your upgrade worth it. We hope this handy guide helps you in making an informed decision on what kind of material you want to go with your kitchen.
At Granite Selection, we offer a wide range of granite and quartz countertops for your kitchen! Check out some of our specials!
For an accurate quote, you can give us a call at (888) 906 3317 and we’ll be happy to assist you.
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