Are granite surfaces disappearing?

Kitchen countertops must be strong, heat resistant, and durable. Granite is a polished rock that is cut from a quarry and then transported and placed in your kitchen. There are several degrees and no two pieces are the same.

Granite fans enjoy the beauty of the natural rock formations and the patterns that were formed during the heating and cooling process. This is a natural and beautiful kitchen surface, very strong and popular. However, there is often a debate, vivid and contrary, about which is better, quartz or granite?

There are other materials that are also being used these days.

1. Gold melamine laminate (formica)

Kitchen countertops can be made from a number of different materials. Plastic is clearly not a good choice as it can melt. Instead, harder plastic polymers are used to make thin sheets that are layered on a chipboard, this is melamine or laminate.

These surfaces are easy to clean and can withstand the heat, however if there is an area that flakes off, the entire countertop can swell and rot.

In a house with rising humidity, the water may rise, the kitchen cabinets and, in the worst case, the kitchen countertops, swell. Despite the risk of water damage, this is a very popular surface: more than 80% of European homes have laminate.

2. Tempered glass, ceramic and concrete

Modern trends are changing and kitchen counters are made from many different materials. Glass is specially made to have very high heat resistance, like Pyrex cookware, and can be used as a surface. It can also be painted from behind, to match your color scheme.

However, it is quite an expensive option and there is always a risk of cracking, especially if there is a difference in temperature, from cold to hot. This is called tempered glass.

Ceramic can withstand very high temperatures: aluminum, for example, begins to melt at 660 ° C, while ceramic can withstand temperatures of up to 2000 ° C. Concrete is even trending as a countertop, and it can be polished, however. , it can crack and chip.

3. Quartz

One of the biggest rivals and an option that is becoming more popular is quartz. This is not a totally natural product, it is made from 95% naturally ground quartz and 5% polymer resins. It is a surface very similar to granite but is less porous, easy to clean, and does not need to be sealed or resealed every year like granite does. It can be used for backsplashes and comes in a wide range of colors.

It is not fully heat resistant and a trivet is required to protect a quartz counter. They are super hygienic countertops and have 99% bacteria-free surfaces. (* when cleaned). A patina may develop on the granite; Oil stains can seep into the stone and discolor it if it has not been sealed.

Granite kitchen countertops are very popular and strong, but there are some rivals that are growing in popularity in the market. What counter are you going to get? Well, it’s a good idea to check the cost first and make a decision from there.

Professional kitchen designers will help you choose the surface that best suits your needs. Quartz is also a popular choice for environmentally conscious people – the carbon footprint is lower as no rock mining is needed and transportation, in the same way, granite is mined.