Kitchen Countertop Wars: Natural Vs Engineered Stone

Stone kitchen countertops are always a good idea. They add a unique flair to your interior and in the right circumstances, can increase your home’s value as well. After you choose stone as your ideal material, several difficult questions can arise. 

One of them is whether to purchase natural or engineered stone. The answer to this eternal question mainly depends on your personal preferences.  Both offer almost the same benefits including long and carefree lifespans. 

Getting educated on the subject won’t do you any harm, especially when you are making such a big investment. To get better insight, here is a thorough comparison between what is also known as granite and quartz:

MANUFACTURING PROCESS

The separation between natural and engineered stone countertops starts in their creation. As the name suggests, the former is completely made from natural rocks found deep inside the Earth’s crust.  

The latter or the engineered stone countertops consist of less natural materials on behalf of manmade engineering tricks. Quartz stones are created through mixing natural crystals with pigments and resin. These additional substances create the wanted colors and patterns.

Engineered stones are 93% to 97% natural as opposed to granite which is a 100% natural beauty. 

AESTHETICAL VALUE

Stone can really draw attention to a room and quickly become its centerpiece. With its bright and shiny surface, your kitchen will surely gain a luxurious feel to it. However, there is a large difference in aesthetical value between quartz and granite.

Because their process of creation is planned ahead, the engineered stones have predetermined patterns and colors. Whereas natural ones are created from rough and real-life rocks, resulting in completely unique patterns that always positively surprise the buyers. 

The amazing thing about natural countertops is that you won’t know their full look up until the stone arrives at your front door. That’s why quartz is recommended for practical homeowners who value consistency, while natural stones are ideal for those that love surprises and authenticity.  

DURABILITY & MAINTENANCE

Ask yourself why quartz is still widely chosen throughout the globe even though the natural stone countertop has an obvious advantage on aesthetics. The answer is very simple. Manufacturers want to produce stronger products.

Engineered stone is more stain-resistant, harder to break and it isn’t vulnerable to acidic beverages. Contrary to quartz, natural stone can get damaged with wine and juice spills, is porous and therefore bacteria-prone, and requires resealing every 1-2 years. 

Don’t lose hope on granite countertops yet since with proper and regular care, these original decoration gems can truly last a lifetime, standing beside you even when you reach old age. 

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

The last comparison concerns environmental impact. As eco-consciousness keeps rising, many designers now prefer all-natural products, including countertops like marble, granite, and limestone. 

The truth is that the manufacturing process of both materials doesn’t influence our environment on a large scale. When they need to be compared, natural stone definitely has the win since it emits fewer carbon gasses during its production process.

WHAT TO EXPECT?

After going through various important factors, we can easily conclude how the decision between natural and engineered stone is entirely up to you. Do you value originality above practicality and vice versa?  Don’t get me wrong, all types of stone are very strong, durable and wonderful to look at. 

Choosing unique kitchen gems such as marble and limestone comes with a price – precaution. To extend the life of your granite countertop, you just need to pour beverages above the sink, use cutting boards, and regularly do sealings. 

Quartz countertops are easier to order and don’t require that much maintenance, but they do have a couple of cons. Shorter lifespans, painful bumps, and eventual wear and tear is the maximum damage you should expect from these manmade miracles. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxdZ6s-WBX0

https://www.thespruce.com/quartz-vs-granite-countertops-1822078