Choosing which material to use for your kitchen or bathroom countertop is one of the most crucial choices you can make when upgrading your house. Countertops greatly impact the aesthetics, usefulness, and worth of your home. Engineered stone and natural stone countertops are among the two most common types of countertops available today.
Each has its unique characteristics, but they differ in several ways. Learning about these differences will allow homeowners to choose wisely and confidently based on style preferences, budget, lifestyle, and long-term expectations.
For example, you may prefer a traditional natural stone such as granite, jewelry-style porcelain, or modern engineered stone surfaces. Either way, understanding the variety between these types will lead to selecting the right type of countertop material for your home.
Natural Stone Countertops Explained
Materials classified as natural stone include granite, quartzite, soapstone, and marble, to name a few. Natural stone is mined from the earth’s surface in large pieces, and slabs are cut from those pieces. Because all the slab materials have different colors, textures, and veining patterns, each slab is one-of-a-kind.
The natural stone slab’s organic patterns and color variations create a stunning and luxurious look in your home. It is important to know that natural stone has high heat resistance, which is another benefit of using it to build kitchen or bath countertops.
What Are Engineered Stone Countertops?
If you’ve been looking for granite material, you’ve likely heard about the new trend of using engineered stones such as granite.
Just like granite, they’re manufactured by combining the natural part of quartz with non-natural parts of resins and pigments. While engineered stones have an identical look and feel to granite, they are manufactured in factories and have a uniformity of color and texture that is not achievable with natural stones.
Because of this manufactured process, engineers can create engineered stones in numerous colors and types, and many of them even mimic natural granite and other stones.
As a very durable material, engineered stone is non-porous and does not require periodic sealing because it does not absorb any liquids. Engineered stones are preferred by many homeowners because they look clean and uniform, and they require little to no maintenance. Consequently, engineered stones have become a very popular choice for households with high activity levels that appreciate beauty but do not have the time or the energy to keep up with a lot of maintenance.
Comparing Durability and Performance
All natural and engineered stones have an extensive life span, which means that you can expect to get years of use from each of the types of countertops that you choose, but there are differences in how they perform in certain situations. For example, natural stones such as granite and quartzite have excellent heat resistance and exceptional durability.
When cooking with hot pots or pans, you can expect to find that granite or quartzite will still remain strong. Although engineered stones will provide you with an exceptionally durable countertop, they do not have the same heat-resistance characteristics that natural stones do. When it comes to stains, engineered stones perform better compared to granite or quartzite, especially for wine spills, oils, or acidic materials. It is also important to note that natural stones need to be sealed on a regular basis in order to maintain their beauty and shine.
Appearance
The countertop’s appearance will typically be the main factor in what ends up being selected by many homeowners.
Each piece of natural stone has a tale to tell in its unique patterns, coloration, texture, and vein structure, all created through the forces of nature. Thus, natural stone is a beautiful product and a great choice for individuals who want a one-of-a-kind look and appreciate the boldness and allure of nature. Engineered stone gives the appearance of a more uniform material, making it an excellent fit for contemporary, understated, clean-line-type interiors where smoothness is desired.
Since engineered-stone manufacturers produce their product and control its color and pattern options, they allow homeowners to achieve a more predictable method of matching countertops with cabinets, flooring, and other décor. In the end, both options have beautiful aesthetic appeals and will differ based on a purchaser’s desire for natural variation compared to a consistent finish.
Maintenance
It is beneficial to understand the maintenance required for your chosen countertop material. Typically, natural stone will require a periodic sealing; this is intended to keep your surface safe from staining and moisture absorption.
The frequency of sealing will vary based on the specific stone as well as how much it will be used, but the sealing process is very quick and easy.
Engineered stone is essentially maintenance-free due to being a non-porous material and does not need to be sealed. Both materials are easy to maintain when cleaned. Both surfaces will require similar maintenance based on the particular surface cleaning needs of the two types of material.
Cost and Long-Term Value
The price of both natural and manufactured stone varies according to how rare the color is, the thickness of the slabs, how complicated the design is, and the installation requirements of the product.
Natural stones may be more expensive than manufactured stones if they are rare patterns or exotic imports. Manufactured stones can also be premium manufactured stones if they are pattern manufactured to mimic the look of natural marble.
When weighing the price difference, it is also important to consider long-term value. The high-end appeal of natural stone may create a significant increase in the resale value of a home with natural stone countertops.
Manufactured stone also increases the resale value of a home due to its durability and its modern style. The best investment aligns with your design goals, lifestyle, and budget, while enhancing the overall beauty of your home.
Environmental Impact
Homeowners consider the environmental aspect of their countertop choices. Natural stone is mined from the earth and does not use chemical resin, but the transportation of natural stone from the quarry site may contribute to emissions.
Many times, manufactured stone uses recycled quartz as a base material, and, depending on the manufacturer, there are various sustainable types of manufactured stone available.
There are also eco-friendly materials available that combine a natural stone and reused material content, providing a responsible and attractive countertop alternative to the natural stone alternative. Fortunately, both natural and manufactured stones can be environmentally responsible….
Which Countertop Material Is Right for Your Home?
There are various types of stones to choose from: natural & manufactured stones are both suitable materials for use as countertops. Which one is suitable for you is based on your personal preferences.
If your goal is to get a countertop that feels real and exclusive and has a touch of luxury, then a natural stone countertop is likely your best bet.
On the other hand, if a low-maintenance surface with consistent, contemporary appeal is your priority, an engineered stone countertop may be the best fit.
Seeing full slabs in person, rather than simply viewing samples on this website, is an important step in choosing between natural stones and engineered stones.
As long as you do not have a high-pressure sales experience at the time of your purchase, you will be assured that by selecting quality countertops and engaging a professional installer, you will have a beautiful countertop to enjoy for years to come.
To Wind Up
If you want to elevate your kitchen or bathroom countertops, please visit Kowalski Granite & Quartz located in West Michigan. Our showroom contains more than 200 full slabs of stone (over 80 color variations) made from granite, quartz, quartzite, and eco-friendly recycled materials.
Our team of experts is here to discuss the various options available and help you select a product that matches your personal style and fits within your budget. We welcome you to visit us without an appointment and explore the potential of a new countertop for your home.