Natural Stone vs. Engineered Stone: Understanding the Difference

Natural stone—granite—is indeed 100% natural since it is quarried directly from the earth in large blocks. These blocks are then sliced into slabs and polished on one side at the quarry before being shipped to the broker or fabricator. Fabricators cut shapes from the slabs according to your countertop specifications. They then profile and polish the edges.

Quartz, on the other hand, is an “engineered” stone, meaning a manufacturing plant uses various grades and sizes of quartz crystals and mixes them with resin and pigment (for color) in a ratio of 93% quartz to 7% resin (yes, we’ll still refer to quartz as natural stone, but it’s not as natural as granite). Fabricators create quartz countertops in much the same way as they do granite countertops: by cutting the shapes from the slab and then profiling and polishing the edges.

 

Quartz: Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Quartz is one of the strongest materials on the planet. Quartz countertops are stronger and more flexible than granite. This makes them easier to work with during the fabrication and installation process.
  • Quartz’s inherent strength makes it extremely durable. That said, don’t confuse “durable” with “indestructible”—there’s no material like that.
  • Quartz surfacing is non-porous and doesn’t require any sealing. A non-porous material is a huge benefit because that means you don’t need to worry about bacteria and other germs growing in any nooks and crannies. Bottom line: quartz is incredibly easy to clean and maintain.
  • Quartz countertops are stain-resistant, so dropping a glass of wine on them simply requires a damp cloth to clean (NOT that you’ll be spilling any wine, right?).
  • Quartz colors are uniform. What you see in the showroom or from a sample is what you can expect to see in your home.

Cons:

  • Quartz countertops can discolor over time when exposed to direct sunlight. For this reason, we don’t recommend quartz surfacing for use outdoors, since you’ll see the difference in color over time.
  • You can expect to see seams with a quartz counter, but they will be less visible if you choose a slab that has more patterns. Seams tend to stand out on solid colors while patterns help conceal them.

Granite: Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Mother Nature made this material. It’s 100% natural, which is why it’s such a popular choice with homeowners, designers, and architects.
  • Granite isn’t as strong as quartz, but that doesn’t mean it’s a wimpy choice, either. It’s still a strong stone and extremely durable. But, just like quartz, it’s not indestructible (it can break or chip if abused). And if you happen to spill red wine on it (oh, the horror!), it will stain.
  • Granite is one-of-a-kind. Yep, I’m going to use the word unique, because each granite slab is exactly that. For many people, this is a pro. For others, this is a con, so I’m going to include it in both lists. So why would I consider this a pro? Well, many people like the concept of exclusivity—they like the idea that no one else will have the exact same countertop as they have.

Cons:

  • Granite doesn’t offer color consistency. Remember how I said “one of kind” is a pro and a con? Well, on the con side, this means the appearance isn’t uniform. No two stones are alike. Even the sample you see probably won’t look like what you end up installing in your home. It’s a beautiful stone, for sure, but it might not be the beautiful stone you were imagining.
  • Granite countertops need to be sealed. You need to seal them when they’re installed and every year afterwards. Why? Because granite is a porous material, which means it can harbor bacteria, germs, mold, and other unhealthy things in its nooks and crannies. Sealing takes care of this issue. While some people seal their granite countertops every three years, I recommend doing it yearly. If for any reason the sealant on the counter becomes compromised, your countertop can harbor germs and easily stain.
  • It’s impossible to hide the seams in a granite counter, especially if your stone has veins or directional movement in the pattern. Expect the seams to show up once the fabricator installs your countertop.

 

Quality Stone Concepts

Best of the Beach 2015

Best of Houzz – 2014 & 2013 Service

Angie’s List Super Service Award Winner – 2014 & 2013

113 South Witchduck Road,

Virginia Beach, VA 23462

757-275-9382 phone

757-275-9383 fax

www.qualitystoneconcepts.com

www.virginiabeachkitchencabinets.com

 

Coral Red Granite

Calico White Quartz

 

White Storm Granite

 

Fossil Taupe Quartz