With so many options for countertops out there, how do you decide what is best for you.
In this chart we breakdown all the elements in these products and the pros and cons in choosing a countertop material so you are prepared for your next big project or renovation to suit your lifestyle.
Materials: | Granite | Quartz | Solid Surface | Porcelain |
Brand Name or supplies of: | Organic from the earth | Technistone® | Corian® Hi-Macs® Krion® Staron® | Xtone® or Dekton® |
What is it? | 100% natural stone, quarried from the earth | 93% natural quartz manufactured with a 7% resin binder | 55%-70% Alumina Trihydrate & 45%-30% resin | 97% minerals, powdered stone based 3% inks, colouring pigments and auxiliary additives |
Appearence? | Highly polished, honed or textured finish-each slab unique in colour and patterning | Various finishes honed, polished, matt and 'Terra' | Various finishes polish, matt, mirrored and uniform in colour and patterning | Various finishes, can print any kind of image onto this material |
Heat Resistance? | Quite resistant to heat but can be affected by extreme changes in thermal exposure | Heat resistant, use trivets under hot pots, crock pots etc. | Heat resistant, use trivets under hot pots, crock pots etc. | Heat resistant, can withstand hot objects |
Scratch Resistance? | Highly scratch resistant, exposure to harsh abrasives or equally hard materials could scratch granite | Highly scratch resistant | Scratch resistant, deeper scratches can be professionally repaired | Scratch resistant harder to repair when cracked NOT Homogenous! |
Cleanliness? | Can be porous not completely anti-bacterial | Non-porous, anti-bacterial, NSF Certified (National Sanitation Foundation) | Non-porous, anti-bacterial, NSF Certified (National Sanitation Foundation) widely used in the health sector | Non-porous, anti-bacterial, can be used commerically |
Fabrication? | May require seams, many edge options available | Seams typically tighter than granite, many edge options available | Seams will typically be inconspicuous, seamless integral backsplashes & sinks available | Seams will typically be inconspicuous, difficult to fabricate |
Maintenance? | Requires periodic sealing to prevent staining | Non-porous, no sealing necessary | Non-porous, no sealing necessary | Non-porous, no sealing necessary |
Price? | Varies greatly by colour and availability | Comparable to a mid priced granite | Price is based on colour group | Expensive |
At #dioritesurfaces we solely carry Quartz and Solid Surface material. Below are some of the brands we work with #himacs #krion #staron #corian & #technistone.