A variety of stones have come into application with the introduction of newer and more innovative choices. Quartz and ceramic are among these choices which offer a respite from the regulars like granite and marble. While the granite is for the affordable designs, the marble oozes luxury on the other hand. Somewhere in between the two appear Quartz and Ceramic in the popularity and affordability chart. Let’s find out how these two stones fare on various aspects.
Quartz Features
Countertops in quartz are possible to achieve as the quartz is also available in slab form just like granite and marble. The quartz countertop has the following features which make it a good choice for the kitchen area.
- Non-porous material: The non-porous nature of quartz makes it fully resistant to stains. The users can just wipe the surface with a cloth and it removes all stains or spillage marks in a jiffy. The kitchen worktops do need to endure materials like soups, juices, wines, etc., which can be handled well with a non-porous stone like quartz.
- Quite durable: Owing to the non-porous nature, the maintenance becomes easy. Also, since the surface is not absorbing tainting materials, it looks new for quite a long time. Thus, the quartz countertop can help in having a kitchen that does not demand frequent remodelling.
- Ability to mimic other costly stones: Quartz is more affordable than marble and similar stones. But it does look very similar to other stones like concrete, marble or granite. So, you can have a stylish countertop within your budget without going for expensive stones. Its vividness in styles and patterns helps in decorating the kitchen in any pattern of the preference.
- Minimized imperfections: Quartz surface is designed with the help of controlled use of materials and it is passed for use after several quality checks. Thus, the imperfections common to a stone are not present in the quartz surface.
Ceramic Features
Ceramic is another stone that is quite in use among kitchen designers. The worktops made in this stone have the following benefits:
- Ceramic is non-porous: A ceramic worktop will not require frequent sealing as it does not absorb stains owing to its non-porous nature.
- Ceramic can mimic marble: If you want an affordable alternative to marble, but without compromising with looks, ceramic can offer a considerable alternative. The ceramic worktop can look like the one made in marble.
- Similar to natural stone in looks: The ceramic-based worktops look like the ones made with natural stone. It can be fabricated just like a natural stone, allowing the owners to have a kitchen with classier look.
So, which is better?
Well, functionality wise, both the ceramic and quartz are almost the same. Ceramic is an engineered stone, that makes it possible to fabricate it in various patterns using technology-intensive solutions. Quartz is also man-made and treated with resins and colours to achieve different patterns. Thus, both the stones are equally good choice for the worktops and countertops and can be considered for the renovation projects. However, ceramic is more affordable than quartz. So, when budget is a concern, you can choose ceramic over quartz.
