The stone countertop trend is no longer just a luxury item, but a must-have in your kitchen. Laminate countertops are not used much anymore, even in kitchen and bathroom renovations in condos and apartments. We opt for pretty quartz countertops.
Stone countertops are appreciated for their richness and elegance, the design possibilities for a kitchen and bathroom are endless.
I give you some examples of how to use quartz or granite in a kitchen design:
- Use as a kitchen countertop
- Waterfall (quartz fallout on one side of the island)
- Kitchen cabinet door surface
- Kitchen backsplash (for a uniform and luxurious look)
- Shelf or window surround
- Sink
When it comes to bathrooms, granite and quartz are a great material to use to make an impressive design. Here are some common stone uses in a bathroom design.
- Bathroom vanity countertop
- Shower wall
- Bathroom vanity backsplash
- Wall, shelves, etc.
- Washbasin
As much as the designs are endless, so are the choices on the market of different products, colors and finishes. In this article, I explain how to differentiate between them to make an informed choice for your future kitchen or bathroom renovation.
THE QUARTZ
Extracted from quarries around the world, quartz is composed of an assembly of minerals held in place by resin. Entirely manufactured, it offers a multitude of colors and patterns ranging from the most original to the most sober. In fact, its wide variety is almost unlimited. Non-porous, it is stain, impact and scratch resistant. In addition, unlike wood and granite, it does not require any sealant, which makes it very easy to maintain. Simple soapy water is all that is needed for daily maintenance. Finally, it is durable, waterproof and anti-bacterial which makes its surface ideal for work. Quartz is our customers’ most popular choice for kitchen countertops because of its ease of maintenance and the many design and color choices. For example, if you want a really white countertop in your kitchen, you are better off going with quartz because granite and marble contain more gray inside since it is 100% natural. There are many choices of quartz that imitate the pattern of marble, they are beautiful. As far as price is concerned, quartz is not really more expensive than granite.
How do I know if my quartz countertop is of good quality?
First, it is important to know that unless you are an expert it is difficult to determine if your countertop is of good quality until problems arise. In fact, some companies use products from China that are of poor quality. However, there are a few things to keep in mind when purchasing your countertop to avoid any bad experiences.
First and foremost, deal with a reputable quartz countertop supplier, so you can be sure that the combination of minerals and resin is ideal. A proportion ranging from 90% or more mineral and 10% or less resin is quite acceptable. Beyond these numbers, we must be careful.
My favorite companies are Caesarstone and Hanstone (Made in Canada).
Also, make sure you have a quality product. Ask to see the CE, NSF and Greenguard certifications, which means it meets European and North American quality standards. By purchasing with a reputable supplier, you will be purchasing a countertop with established traceability and reliability and will be able to determine its quality.
THE GRANIT
In addition to quartz, granite countertops are also one of the most widely used materials. Granite is actually a stone that is cut in its raw state and then polished, before being installed in your home. Available in a polished, antique or matte finish, granite offers a slightly more limited range of colors than quartz. Each piece being different, it is inevitably composed of a variation of colors and textures, often more ”chamoiré” than quartz. Therefore, it will often be necessary to base the design on the chosen tile. It is also important to know that the samples can sometimes differ from the pieces in the showroom since no two pieces are identical. It is therefore always a good idea to go directly to the supplier to make an informed choice. Almost as hard as diamond, granite is a very hard and scratch resistant stone. However, it is not advisable to slice food directly on the countertop as this could damage your knives. Since it contains no resin, granite offers excellent resistance to temperature variations.
Finally, in order to avoid stains, the application of a sealant once a year and a cleaning after each use is recommended. Granite is used more in kitchen countertops than in bathroom designs.
THE MARBLE
Luxurious, marble is a natural stone derived from limestone. Featuring a variety of light shades, it offers a sleek, elegant and attractive look. Because of its highly variable appearance, it blends in with any decor, from classic to modern. Heat resistant and durable, marble is a beautiful addition when properly cared for. As a result, it is very porous and not very resistant to stains and tends to lose its luster when in contact with acidic elements. Therefore, the application of a sealant once a year should not be neglected. This type of surface requires vigorous maintenance and frequent polishing, which is no small task. It is therefore ideal for use in bathrooms, where the risk of contact is more negligible. These exceptional patterns will give your bathroom an exceptional look.
Finally, whether it is quartz, granite or marble that you choose to add to your kitchen or bathroom design, you will have no regrets about its value. However, it is very important to get information from specialists in order to make a wise choice regarding product type, quality and design.
It is also strongly recommended to use reputable installers such as Ceragres and Summum Granit to obtain a perfect result. One thing is certain, counters are popular. On their own, they create exceptional ambiences and designs and add value to your property.
