Appearance and Feel
| Solid Surface | Quartz | Slab Granite | |
| Appearance | Uniform, with a matte-like look. Solid s ... | Lustrous, deep, three-dimensional. The s ... | Lustrous, rich, and crystalline. Can be ... |
| How It Feels To The Touch | Matte-like and soft, like touching a bar ... | Smooth and glossy, quartz feels like hon ... | Smooth and glossy, all natural stone cou ... |
| Visibility of Seams | Least visible seams of all products beca ... | Visible, though a good installer can hid ... | Same as quartz—visible, though a good in ... |
Is solid surface the same as quartz?
While solid surface and quartz have a similar look, there are some key differences that set them apart in the appearance department. Quartz can come in patterns that mimic natural stones such as marble or granite, and acts a bit more like them in the weight and thickness departments.
Is quartz a solid surface countertop?
Quartz Countertops. When it comes to solid surface countertops, engineered quartz is currently one of the most popular materials on the market. Quartz counters are primarily made from ground quartz with a small amount of plastic resin. It is an extremely strong countertop option that can be used in both residential and commercial spaces.
How to tell the difference between marble, granite, and quartz?
Where marble is natural and has few variations in appearance, quartz can mimic granite and marble or have a completely different look. Quartz comes in a wide array of colors and patterns. The main difference between quartz and marble would be a weakness.
Are quartz countertops solid surface?
Solid surface countertops scale about 4.4 pounds per square foot of 12 mm element; quartz weighs about 6.2 pounds for the equivalent volume and thickness. Thus, quartz is about 33 percent heavier than solid countertops, resulting in a slightly more solid feeling when installed.
Is solid surface more durable than quartz?
As compared to solid-surface materials, quartz countertops are more durable, scratch resistant and heat-safe up to about 400 degrees. Visually, quartz has a glossy surface (although some matte options are now available) with a consistent color and pattern.
Is quartz a solid surface or a stone?
Quartz slabs act a lot like granite or stone slabs. They're heavy, solid, and either 2cm or 3cm thick at all points. They need to be cut and polished on their edges, so a sink is likely to be undermounted below the counter, with the edge polished up.
What is better Corian or quartz?
Quartz countertops are more scratch- and heat-resistant than Corian countertops. Quartz and Corian are both durable materials, but they differ in terms of heat resistance and scratch resistance. In fact, the biggest difference between these materials lies in their resistance to heat.
Is solid surface a good countertop?
Solid surface countertops have many advantages. They have seamless joints and are not porous, resisting stains and bacteria. They're hard, impact-resistant, and require very little maintenance. They're easy to clean, and scratches can easily be sanded and buffed out.
Is quartz the best countertop?
Quartz is one of the most desirable high-end countertop materials available. That's saying a lot considering the quality of many other countertop material competitors. Also called engineered stone countertops, their popularity is due, in no small part, to their stylish beauty and ease of ownership.
Do quartz countertops look cheap?
Most people love the appearance of quartz, but others say it looks fake and cheap. Bottom line—with quartz, the design options are virtually limitless, but it's difficult to match the truly unique and exotic patterns you get with natural stone.
Is solid surface cheaper than quartz?
Generally, however, quartz countertops are more expensive than solid surfaces due to the premium quality of materials in their composition. Solid surface countertops are relatively cheaper when compared to premium stone countertops like granite, marble, and quartz.
What kind of kitchen countertop is best?
Granite has been the number one kitchen countertop option for homeowners for several years. While it has more competition than in the past, granite remains to be a top choice among homeowners because of its natural composition, exquisite looks, and designs that cannot be replicated.
What kitchen work surface is best?
Granite is probably the most popular type of kitchen worktop. It is by far the most low-maintenance choice, so sturdy that it's unlikely to chip or scratch, and only needs to be resealed once a decade. Supremely heat-resistant, granite can easily withstand all your hot pans placed on top of it.
How long does solid surface last?
Solid surface is extremely durable. The product is guaranteed for up to 10 years by most manufacturers—and up to 15 years by LG-HIMACS—but it is easily repairable and can theoretically last a lifetime.
Do solid surface counters stain?
Solid surface countertops are synthetic and don't offer the same quality and durability of a natural stone. However, these materials are non-porous and don't stain easily. Certain chemicals and acidic foods can stain these countertops if left on the surface for long periods of time.
What are the benefits of solid surface?
One of the major benefits of solid surface countertops is that the material is highly durable and can last for decades. Other countertop materials such as ceramic, laminate, and wood can dent and crack, and even more expensive countertop products such as granite, marble, and soapstone are prone to scratching.
What is a solid surface countertop?
Solid-surface countertops consist of mineral dust (mostly marble) mixed with a variety of plastic resins and pigments. Solid surface's main appeal is that it is easy to fabricate and can create invisibly seamed countertops.
How much does quartz weigh?
Corian weighs about 4.4 pounds per square foot of 12 mm material; quartz weighs about 6.2 pounds for the same size and thickness. Thus, quartz is about 33-percent heavier than Corian, which translates to a slightly more solid feeling when installed. Read More.
What is quartz countertop?
Quartz countertops are a newer entrant to the kitchen countertop world than solid surface materials. These engineered stone products consist of about 95-percent ground natural quartz and other materials with 5-percent binding resins. Both solid surface and quartz compete for a type of middle ground of kitchen countertops: a bit manmade ...
Why are quartz countertops so hard to obtain?
Both solid surface and quartz countertops are difficult for the do-it-yourselfer to obtain source materials because they are generally locked down in a distribution/installation system of retailers, fabricators, and installers.
What is Corian made of?
Corian, the original solid surface counter, is made of about 33-percent acrylic resin (PMMA) and about 66-percent natural minerals. A bauxite derivative, aluminium trihydrate (ATH), is the most common mineral. But if you're imagining something like that looks like granite particles, this is not it.
Is quartz a solid surface?
Neither solid surface or quartz countertop choices are single-substance; all are a combination of many materials. Neither are all-natural. Both are aggregates of polymers and minerals. If a purely natural product is important to you, then natural stone slabs are your only option.
Is laminate countertop layered?
Laminate, by contrast, is layered. If the top layer of laminate fails, the entire countertop fails. While solid surface materials mimic the look of stone, no one is likely to mistake it for solid granite on close examination. For many people, the look of slab granite for a countertop simply cannot be duplicated.
What is the difference between quartz and solid surface?
The biggest difference between quartz and solid surface is the price . Quartz is the better option if you have a more flexible budget and are interested in increasing the value of your home. Solid surface is a great option for those with a budget-friendly project or for those looking to create a custom piece with its ability to be thermoformed.
What is Quartz?
Quartz is a man-made material created from natural quartz and bound together with resin.
What is solid surface?
Solid surface is a man-made material comprised of natural minerals and high-performance acrylic and can be used in a variety of ways including countertops, backsplashes or custom fabrications. It first rose to popularity in the late 1960s as an affordable alternative to more expensive natural stone surfaces. Until recently, scientists could not ...
Can a cracked countertop be repaired?
If damaged, solid surface can easily be repaired by an experienced fabricator or installer. Whether you need scratches buffed out or cracks repaired, damaged solid surface countertops are not a lost cause.
What Are Quartz Countertops?
Quartz tops, sometimes called engineered stone, are also man-made, however, they contain a high percentage of crushed, natural quartz. The quartz is bound with resin and recycled materials such as glass. Some of the most popular brands include Zodiaq and Radianz.
Which is more durable, quartz or granite?
For durability, solid surface top are less durable than quartz – which is less durable than granite. If you opt for the less durable material, you may easily spend the price difference in having the tops resurfaced from time to time.
What is solid surface top?
Solid surface tops are manmade using acrylic or polyester plastic blends. You may be familiar with the brand names of Corian or Staron, both of which fall into this category. These materials are uniform in color and texture, with a matte (non-shiny) finish.
Is quartz countertop heat safe?
As compared to solid-surface materials, quartz countertops are more durable, scratch resistant and heat-safe up to about 400 degrees. Visually, quartz has a glossy surface (although some matte options are now available) with a consistent color and pattern.
Do kitchen countertops have seams?
Countertops are poured to the specifications of your kitchen and, consequent, they generally do not have seams. This material is somewhat prone to scratching and most manufacturers recommend not placing hot pots or pans directly onto the surface, as they could warp, crack or discolor as a result.
Is quartz countertop more durable than granite?
For durability, solid surface top are less durable than quartz – which is less durable than granite.
Solid Surface vs Quartz Countertop: Which one Should You Choose?
Customers are often faced with a great dilemma when going through materials for kitchen countertops, which are easy on the eyes, have good resale value, serve them well, and are resistant to heat. Namely, you will almost certainly end up confused between two options – solid surface countertops vs quartz countertops.
How Are They Prepared?
One of the biggest differences between solid surface vs quartz countertops lies in the methods used to make them and their compositions. Although both of them are artificial materials, they differ significantly in terms of preparation.
What Are the Differences In Their Looks?
Both solid surface and quartz countertops generally look remarkably similar at first. However, depending on their color, finish, and pattern, they can appear different as well. Quartz tends to possess a notable glossy or polished finish. On the other hand, solid surface countertops tend to be a bit low-key in terms of shine.
How Do They Differ in Terms of Performance?
Both solid surface and quartz countertops require much lesser maintenance than natural stone. That is mainly because you do not have to seal them or buy special cleaning materials for them. That said, there do exist some differences in regards to their performance in due course.
Can You Install Them Yourself?
It is quite hard to go with a DIY approach regarding both quartz and solid surface countertops. The raw materials are usually circulated in a distribution/installation network of fabricators, installers, and retailers. Thus, they are not easily accessible to the general public.
Finally, How Do You Choose the Right Countertop?
As mentioned above, there are plenty of pros and cons when it comes to both solid surface and quartz countertops. You will get a lighter countertop minus seams if you decide to go with solid surface countertops. On the other hand, quartz countertops are much sturdier and closely look like natural stone.
What is solid surface countertop?
What Is It? Solid surface is the term for a type of heavy polymer-laden countertop material. Due to brand competition, it is a lower-priced and popular material. Quartz is the marketing term for what is more widely known as engineered stone, itself a term for a slurry of natural minerals combined with resins to create a hard, ...
What is quartz used for?
Quartz is the marketing term for what is more widely known as engineered stone, itself a term for a slurry of natural minerals combined with resins to create a hard, rock-like surface for countertops.
What are the different types of countertops?
Are you confused about kitchen countertops? If so, you're not alone. Three of the most popular types of kitchen counter materials—solid surface, quartz, and slab granite —look alike, at least at first glance. In fact, this confusion is engineered into two of those materials. Amazingly stone-like looks are engineered into solid surface and quartz and are naturally found in slab granite.
When was Bretonstone quartz counter invented?
Other companies flooded into the market after Dupont's patent expired. First developed by Italian company Bretonstone in 1963 , the Bretonstone quartz counter technology is now licensed to 52 companies that use the original brevetto, or patent.
When to buy granite slab?
Buy slab granite when you want a stone countertop that has a one-of-a-kind appearance and you do not mind occasional maintenance duties.
What does matte feel like?
Matte-like and soft, like touching a bar of soap. Eventually, scratches will develop and this contributes to an increased matte-like feeling.
What is real granite?
Real 100-percent granite quarried directly from the earth and sliced into slabs. Nothing is added, nothing is taken out.
Which is more expensive, granite or quartz?
Granite is the most expensive one, while Quartz is in middle and Solid Surface is comparatively cheapest of all. There may be a big difference in prices of Solid Surface and Quartz, but when it comes to compare the prices of Quartz and Granite, the difference is not much.
Which surface has the best finish?
On part of appearance, granite has the best finishing as it comes highly polished. Quartz comes second with fine polish and finishing while Solid surfaces have matter finishing.
What is the most common countertop material?
Granite, Quarts and Solid Surface all are the most common countertop materials, but which one you should buy depends on variety of reasons, i.e. your requirements, budget and the usage. In order to help you decide the right material, let us do a quick comparison.
Is granite or quartz more resistant to heat?
Granite is not affected by heat at all and is highly resistant to scratches as well; so can be the best choice if this is your concern. Quartz can be affected by high heat when it is over 400 and for scratches it’s again highly resistant too. On part of solid surfaces, they are not heat resistant and hot pans may warp, melt, crack, or discolor the solid surface and they get scratches easily too, so you need to be extra careful about solid surface countertops.
Is quartz man made?
The very first thing you should know is what is there inside each material; Granite is 100% Natural stone, Quartz is man-made and contains 85%-95% crushed quartz with a resin binder while solid surfaces are also man-made and have Acrylic or Polyester Plastics inside.
Do you need seams on granite countertops?
Granite and Quartz may require seams, but Solid Surfaces are seamless and are usually set on a wood sub structure.
Is quartz or granite better for bacteria?
If cleanliness and hygiene are your main concerns, you may opt for Granite or Quartz as they both are highly resistant to bacteria. If you opt for Solid surface, it may not be that hygienic as it gets scratches easily; it absorbs the moisture quickly and is very likely to provide shelter to bacteria if it’s not cleaned properly.
Comparing Two Popular Types of Counter Materials
Solid Surface Countertops
Quartz Countertops
Composition
Do-It-Yourself Installation
Seam Visibility
Sealing Needs
Cost
Additional Factors
- If a stone-like look and feel is your intention, quartz/engineered counters would have an advantage over solid surface counters. If you want a super-contemporarylook, then solid surface is the way to go. Solid surface can even be thermoformed or worked by hand into curvy, flowing shapes, something you cannot do with quartz counter materials. Corian...