Although granite and marble countertops have long been present in many homes, the quartz countertop is expected to become the new kitchen trend this year. According to Pop Sugar, quartz is now one of the leading countertop materials, and this may be because of several reasons.
According to the site, one of the main reasons why quartz is gaining popularity is because of its durability. Unlike marble and granite which requires high maintenance, quartz is naturally strain-repellent and resistant to acidic foods. It is also resistant to scratches and chips, so people are not worried at all since it also does not require sealing compared to granite and marble's yearly treatments.
Aside from being durable, quartz can also be stylish. Many manufacturers have found a way to remove unnatural patterns to create swirls and variations of the natural stone. Compared to marble, quartz is also more affordable for only $80 per square foot. Although it might be a bit pricey compared to granite, the maintenance is very cheap compared to the two.
Countertop Investigator also listed some of the advantages of using quartz over granite, one of which is that quartz is much more flexible compared to granite, making the installation process easier. However, quartz also has some drawbacks and one of them is that they can discolor over time when exposed to direct sunlight. One can also expect to see seams in quartz counters, so it is suggested to choose a slab with a darker color so they won't be noticeable.
Granite, on the other hand, has natural veins and colors in the stone, making seams appear less visible. Aside from that, quartz countertops are heavier than granite, so they need to be professionally installed.
Before choosing between the two countertops trend, it is best to evaluate which one is best suited for your kitchen.