QUARTZ vs GRANITE | How To Choose A Countertop in 2023
Вставка
- Опубліковано 29 бер 2021
- Check out my online design solutions here - www.mtkd.ca
Choosing a countertop is a big deal! Do you choose quartz or granite? What about laminate? This video will give some insight on each of these products. Hopefully helping you make the right countertop choice for your kitchen.
Comment below if you have any countertop questions. I would love to help.
Check out my latest video where I test quartz - • I HAMMERED QUARTZ COUN...
Rock Doctor Granite & Quartz Care Kit, 3 Piece Maintenance Stone Care Combo Kit
amzn.to/3AsKQcY
Here is my free How To Measure Guide -mtkd.ck.page/measurement
Connect with me on Social Media
instargam.com/mark_n_amy
/ mtkitchendesign
#quartz vs granite #countertop #marktobinkitchendesign
FTC Legal Disclaimer - Some links found in the description box of my videos may be affiliate links, meaning I will make commission on sales you make through my link. This is at no extra cost to you to use my links/codes, it's just one more way to support me and my channel! :) - Навчання та стиль
I have a new video where I test quartz to see if it is scratch, smash and heat resistant. Check it out - ua-cam.com/video/D3PEsEXmtAE/v-deo.html
Granite you can put Hot Pots on...it's stone...it's durable enough. Kitchens are for cooking....cooking requires Heat. Quartz is good for bathrooms.
If Granite gets a stain....just hone it down and reseal it. Life is imperfect.
Hello Mark! Love your very informative video! I see your kitchen in the background. It looks beautiful. Your home looks beautiful. Sort of similar to my home in some sense. LOL. I guess we have great taste! =) .. I was wondering roughly how much ...again ROUGHLY.. would you happen to know approximately or respectively how much a kitchen the size of yours costs to get quarts or granite?? I know it can vary but I would just like to get an idea of the overall price.
I have laminate currently. I want solid. I am thinking moving to quarts and have for a long time.
Hello again Mark and again, great video! Just an FYI, North Americans can happily get excellent quality granite from Brazil... so no need to ship from half way around the world (you mentioned the $$$ for this), just from the bottom half (😂).
Sir, you are a very believable and impressive presenter. I love your tone, the absence of exaggeration, and the wealth and depth of your knowledge! Absolutely fantastic! Thank you!!!
Thank you so much for watching and the encouraging response.
We have white laminate in our kitchen and it's beautiful, and still looks brand new after 32 years. White is timeless and laminate is very durable.
I’m a designer for many years. I love my laminate tops. They don’t damage my knives, I don’t worry about hot pots or pans , and it actually releases stains like wine or strawberry/raspberry. No one wants laminate but it’s a fabulous option.
Thank you for talking honestly about the pros and cons of all 3 countertop types. Laminate is my go-to countertop choice. It gives me a lot more design flexibility since there are far more color and pattern choices compared to granite and quartz. From solid colors to wood styles to stone styles. You even get a choice of the type of surface finish and edge profile. It's also considerably more affordable at 2-3 times less expensive. For typical everyday use, they are perfectly durable. Use a cutting board. Use a potholder under hot pots. Problems solved. As for water intrusion, the fewer seams it has, the better off you are. If your countertop dimensions fit within the laminate sheet dimensions, your fabricator can give you a seamless top. No 45-degree mitered corner cut. It helps elevate the look and eliminate water intrusion issues in the corner of your kitchen.
Thanks for the comment. You are right about the almost endless variety of options with laminate. That’s one of the reasons I love it too.
Thank you! Awesome video, so helpful. Love the objective delivery of the facts and information. So Helpful!
Hi Marilyn! Thanks for the comment. Glad you enjoyed the video!
Thank you for this video. It's refreshing to hear a designer say that it's ok to get laminate countertops. You must have a highly satisfied customer base. 🙂
We're all different, we all have different needs/wants. Thanks for recognizing that and not trying to change anyone's mind. Keep up the great work!! 👍👏
Thanks so much. There’s enough judgment in the world, we don’t need to be judged on our countertop choice. Lol.
Quartz is the Cubic Zirconium to Natural Stone.
Cool thanks
Very clear, very informative. Thank you!
Terrific non bias , informative video, I now have lots to think about 😜
Thank you so much for sharing such important and so needed information on countertops. It can be overwhelming due to the cost and decision making.
Definitely a lot to consider. Appreciate the comment.
I love you recommendations and down to earth approach.
Exact tutorial I needed to listen to in order to replace my laminate kitchen counters. Thank you!
Thanks Eddie. Glad the video was helpful!
Really enjoyed the video. It has given us a lot to think about.
Excellent video explaining the differences between these three countertops. Thanks.
Hey Sara! You're welcome. Thanks for leaving a comment. Glad you liked the video.
Love the honesty. Surprised about the laminate recommendation
Thanks Mike. Yeah. Laminate isn’t so bad. It’s pretty tough. Ask Jed about the time one flew out of the back of the truck on us. Haha
Nice. I like your style of presentation, clear, concise... learning a lot. Subscribed
Hi! Thanks so much! I really appreciate it.
Amazing information. I really felt like I learned so much! Thank you Mark!
I really appreciate your comment. Thanks so much for watching. Glad you found the video helpful!
Thanks for this video. I'm new to the stone fabrication industry, working in a showroom and this was the most informative series of facts and info I have heard, thats not just from a quartz supplier sales rep. I feel more educated and ready to better inform and advise customers at my job.
Hey! Thanks for the comment. I am glad the videos are helpful!!
Thanks for the honest information Mark. Much appreciated. 🍻
Let me first say how impressed I am with your content with these counter surfaces and how you give equally valued info to each and you don’t steer anyone away from or frown on a laminate versus a solid surface. It’s all it what one can afford and like you said, what you like.
Hey! Thanks for watching and commenting. Yeah, if someone likes and wants laminate, then go for it. For anything in the kitchen for that matter.
Thank you sooooo much for your valuable information and advice!! I’m thinking of upgrading my kitchen with minor changes until I could do my major changes (expanding it)! Going laminate is perfect for now since I hope to do my major change in a few years and then buy the more expensive countertops!!! Great video!!!!!
Hey! Thanks so much for the comment, I am glad the video helped.
I think laminate is a great choice!
I have no idea why this intrigued me enough to watch it since I have no particular use for the information (at 3am no less) but honestly, I’m glad I did. My future kitchen will be better designed for it! Thank you 😊
Ha. Well thank you for watching! Appreciated.
This is an Excellent Video. Mark is a BOSS!
My wife and I close on a new house in a few weeks. It has Quartz countertops throughout. I'm so excited. lol
I’m so jealous. Lol.
Can’t go wrong with quartz.
Thanks a bunch. Highly informative.
Thank u am tryna decide on if I should spend the money on my kitchen counter top and your video help me with my decision so I'm go with the granite 💯💯💯💯👋🏿👋🏿💪🏿💪🏿✌🏿
Hey! Cool, thanks for watching and letting me know.
You got me at QUARTZ!...Thank you!
Mark, Thanks for this down-to-earth video post. At this writing, I have my kitchen remodel nearly complete. In recent weeks as far as countertops go, my wife and I checked out the three options you reviewed in this post. I must say, we could afford the high end offerings, but decided to go with a laminate countertop. As in like you mentioned there are so many options in textures, colors, patterns, etc. In our home (a 70 year old Cape Cod style cottage) we decided to stay with (dare I say it) a wood-look laminate countertop by Wilson Art. Our house has stained wood work through out, and we just wanted to keep the updated kitchen in blend with the rest of the house. We considered butcher block, but did not want to worry with the upkeep. The laminate we chose looks similar to the butcher block style, but without the maintenance. These days so many seem to be trending toward neutral, almost clinical "Dynasty" looking kitchens with no color or warmth, and of that, to each their own. My wife and I are dated people who still like dated looking (though new) stuff, and make no apologies about it. And like you mentioned regarding laminate, if down the road we get tired of looking at it, we can change it up without the parting of the Red Sea so to speak. Peace, and more power to you in your field of work & design. 👍
Thanks so much for the comment. I really love some of the wood look laminates. Great choice!
Super projekt 👍👍👍miło się ogląda 🙂
Much appreciated information.
Great info! Thanks
Hi! Very happy to see your video please recommend quartz countertops which levels can choose to upgrade? Thank you
I've never heard anyone recommend laminate haha that's awesome! now that I'm thinking about it I didn't mind the laminate in my first apartment. We don't all need to be unique and one of a kind some of us want practical, I like it.
Haha. thanks Sarah. laminate gets a bad rap, but there are some beautiful laminate countertops out there.
Great video! Awesome tips! Thanks so much!!
Thanks Rob! Appreciate the comments!
I designed two kitchens in older houses that we had bought. I had beautiful cabinets, and I used laminate in both kitchens. For one I had a beautiful light blue tweed design and one that looked like fallen, autumn leaves. But my favorite feature in both kitchens was the pull-out bread board. This pull-out doubled my counter space and was perfect at sandwich making time. It is an old fashioned feature, and it is great.
Those were a really cool option. Not something I've done in a while but definitely very functional. Thanks for watching!
Very helpful, thank you!!
Hi Joan! Thanks for leaving a comment! Are you planning a new countertop?
Another excellent video!
Especially helpful video! Thank you. I'm glad I watched it.
Hey! I’m glad it helped. Thanks for letting me know.
Why?
Thank you very good information for me!💕
Wow, what an excellent explanation full of insight and advice. I have a small galley kitchen with 9' 0" and a 0' 15" countertops. I was quoted $1965 including installation for a quartz top. That includes a 4" backsplash. Now I know why people complain about their kitchen remodels costing upwards of $50K. That seems insane to me, but my meager budget including appliances is $12K.
Hey! Thanks for watching. Agreed, it doesn't take long for things to add up. Hope it goes well!
It all depends where you want to put your money. I did an update on my kitchen for about 2 k. I used resin for the counters after rebulding with MDF for a marble look that was good enough to fool the inspector when I sold it. Painted cabinets since they were in good shape and didn't want the cost of replacing them outright. Also put new trim around the top. Put in a new GIANT sink and nice faucet. For the backsplash I mixed subway and expensive glass tiles for a nice look that extended to the counter, so no extra backspalsh line. I did the work myself. Including tool purchase I spent about 2K and it looked like an entirely different kitchen.
I love my Formica countertops and they still look great even after 42 years of use. They're butcher block pattern has now come back into style. There are three hard rules with Formica: Do not cut on them - always use a cutting board, do not set hot dishes or pans on them - use a trivet or wood cutting board underneath hot things, and do not drag rough-bottomed dishes over them or scour them with anything abrasive, including green Scotch scrubbers - they clean beautifully with the non-scratch Scotch scrubbers and a bit of Clorox Cleanup or Dawn soap. Stone can chip, crack, and needs special care; Formica only needs the three rules above to stay beautiful for decades and it has its own backsplash and rounded edges, is far less expensive than any kind of stone and comes in a multitude of colors and patterns.
Very valuable video, thanks y choose quartz.
thank you you just make my day
Thanks for sharing your tips ❣
Hey! You are welcome!!
use a special quartz/granite cleaner on it ONLY! comet, or brillo, even windex will strip the sealant off. my girlfriend on a strict budget got a slate color laminate counter & its lovely. with white cabinets & some bright copper pots on the wall above & under cabinet lighting, it looks like real slate!
i had granite in my first home but chose quartz in my new home because i wanted white with a touch of grey veining & granite didnt have it. im happy with the quartz. its beautiful, shiny & brightens up the kitchen.
Lovely. But does she COOK? Sheesh.
Refreshing to see a designer that isn’t pushing the most expensive countertop options! I have laminate and plan to use it again.
Thanks Trina!
Great information 👍🏼
I’m putting laminate in the new condo I’m purchasing because I like to change up my style every few years or so. Quartz is beautiful, but I really find most granite to be too “busy” for my aesthetic; both are a serious investment for someone averse to commitment.😉 I installed quality laminate in my previous home and never had any issue with its performance. Further, no one ever came over for dinner and said, “I’m not eating at your house because you have laminate countertops.” 😏My money goes toward quality major appliances.
Smart move! Especially if you like to change it out now and then. I'm all for laminate.
For your situation it definitely sounds like laminate is by far the best option. I am personally not a fan of any laminate (even the high end ones) as I do see them as looking less refined and not always, but often times cheap. (Disclaimer: I have laminate in my kitchen at this time). I 'personally' greatly prefer a quartz or non-dated granite when I see a kitchen with them installed. But yeah, you cook and I come. And at the end of the day, really not concerned with it all. Just pointing out that "I notice at glance" when I see a nice stone or quartz in a kitchen. Kudos to you for the energy to 'change things out' every few years though... I'm waaayyy too lazy!!!
@@kempkennedy3542 Thanks for your comment! To your points, I have always been someone who likes to change up things in a few years to help settle my mind. I think I have a problem with stagnation or something. 😉 For example, my furniture is neutral beige, but I accessorize with colorful throw pillows to bring in texture and color every season. I don’t buy new pillows every season; I just change out the covers that I absolutely love. With my kitchen, I have LG appliance that are pretty solid to me, but I change out my countertops every 2-3 years because I get tired of the look. Imagine changing out quartz countertops every 2-3 years.😱 The other part of it is that I love to travel, so the money I would spend on quartz countertops can fully fund a short trip to the Caribbean or help pay for one to South America.☺️ Have a good day, night, afternoon, or evening wherever you are in this chaotic but amazing world.☺️
@@ablueslenz Fair points to everything you replied with. And I love travel too!! Though we do differ on interior design ideology I can honestly say that it is awesome that you are doing what works best for you! Happy travels (at least when all this Covid mess ends) :)
It depends on what neighborhood you live in also.
Great information. One more factor to consider when choosing a countertop is the placement of the sink. If the sink is placed under the countertop, the countertop cannot be laminate. This is because the water that splashes up from the sink can seep into the laminate and cause it to warp or delaminate.
Actually there is a way to do it with laminate. I didn’t believe it myself until I seen how it was done. It takes someone skilled to do it though.
I am British and have sold a number of high end apartmemts in UK , the kitchens all of which had aga installed and granite tops . Our market at the top end would not accept anything else . Thank you for your trends . I think shelves look great . As you say it is up to you . To me people are looking for individuality and style and laminate has neither and never will have , so if you want style you pay for granite. Thank you for your clear and intetesting presentation which is a credit to you .
Hi Anthony! Thank you for the kind words and input. It is appreciated.
Is quartz not rising in popularity there in the 'upper middle-class' market? It is now about toe-to-toe with granite in the states, with many opting for quartz now, due to the much wider variety of styles and coloring. Interesting to hear nonetheless.
Lol there are many quartz more expensive than most granite.
@kempkennedy3542
I think it's a style choice kennedy. Quartz can be made to a more uniform appearance and thus, blend in more easily. Granite though, especially the stunning pieces, make a statement all their own and command center stage. This means backsplash tiles must chosen carefully so as to not distract, but compliment, the granite countertop. Cabinets and hardware have to also compliment, not compete, with the center stage granite. This takes more discerning an eye to achieve but can present a stunning production.
Perhaps the "safe" uniformity of quartz with "standard" cabinets and "functional" hardware is all that is required by "most" kitchens. To each their own.
Then, there's the kitchen's that make one slightly gasp... taking in every little intricate and complimentary aspect. Now that's style (that doesn't come with a simple swipe left or right lol).
Art Gallery? Eye candy? Las Vegas strip? Standing the test of time and the resale of home will tell all.
Considering your in the business in most cases it would be more just to make a sale. I was truly impressed with your honesty, very impressed. Not everyone could afford to go with the more expensive. I truly appreciate your honesty.
Thanks for the comment Randy. Appreciated!!
Your very welcome.
I had laminate in previous homes. When I redid my current kitchen I chose solid surface, Silestone, and I really enjoy it. I think quartz would be my stone choice. Thanks for the information.
silestone is quartz
Silestone is just a quartz brand.
Very informative! It's the Quartz for me.
Thank you!!
Great video ,Thank YOU so much !!! xoxo
Hey thanks! Appreciate the comment.
Kitchen Remodeler of 30+ years here - GREAT video!
I will add 2 things though -
1) There are really good 15 YEAR Sealers out there now, so it does not have to be a 'seal it every year' thing.
2) You forgot the whole group of Solid Surface tops like Corian, Staron, Hi-Macs, and the like!
We do the majority of our tops (roughly 60-90 per year) in Stone, but still do a fair amount in Solid Surface and Laminate too. I have Solid Suraface in my current home as it was going to be a 'long term flip' and the price point in our market falls halfway between laminate and granite. It can also be easily 'renewed' by buffing out scratches.
Hey! Thanks for the comment! I've yet to really dive into solid surface on the channel. I used to deal with both Corian and Staron. It's popularity dwindled quite a bit over the years, but it definitely has it's strong points.
Have you ever had yours re-finished? I had it done for a client once. It was quite the job, but turned out really well.
Very helpful. Thank you.
You're welcome! Thanks for leaving a comment!
So helpful
We're building a new house, and I was leaning towards quartz because I did my research, and I heard good things about it, and knowing that our kitchen is going to be seriously used; I cook every single meal from scratch. Going to the stone store, I asked the dates person to show me a great countertop for a kitchen that's going to be used a lot. She didn't even ask me about my budget, and took me straight to the quartz. She said, that's the one you want to use. I was sold! Now we have this GORGEOUS!!! Great video!!! 👍👍
May I ask what kind you got?
Thanks for the informative video. I think quartz is at its best when its patterns imitate marble rather than granite. I’ve seen quartz countertops that are indistinguishable from the comparable marble and the durability of quartz versus marble in a kitchen makes it a superior choice in my view.
Love quartz for its versatility in design! Don't love the heavy seam lines. Still debating between it and a 'modern' looking granite. Hmmm...
Go with quartzite. Hardness like granite, look of marble. We have it and I love looking at it. It has depth you can’t get with quartz. I can’t understand why quartzite isn’t mentioned in this video.
I like the quietness of laminate, especially in an open plan kitchen. A plate put on quartz or granite makes a sharp noise.. however laminate seems to absorb the sound. I do love the look of the other surfaces.
There doesn't seem to be the perfect surface. I appreciate that fact about my laminate as well. It's also warmer than stone, which a lot of people find a negative about quartz or granite.
And if you inadvertently drop a bone china cup on a laminate top it tends to bounce not shatter as it would on a hard unforgiving surface.
Over the years I installed an acre of laminate in kitchens I remodeled. Cheap, easy to work with woodworking tools, looks okay. We remodeled our own kitchen a couple years ago and put in Hanstone quartz. Yes pricy, but it’s beautiful and there’s no mistaking it for laminate. Also, we have a 12” overhang on our island which didn’t need support. It would have needed brackets if granite.
Nice. Hanstone is great. I’m testing it next actually. I have two samples I’m aiming to destroy to see just how good it is.
@@MTKDofficial you got yourself a subscriber!
@@tywebbgolfenthusiast8950 Thank you! I appreciate you letting me know!
When I dropped a heavy pot on the end of the sink granite counter I chip a piece off and it was repaired good as new. My counter is 13 yrs old, use the stone everyday, and still looks new. Most people are choosing quarts so now all the kitchens basically look the same; whereas, granite has more of a unique look on it's own.
Well, I think people are choosing quartz that looks the same. You can get quartz that looks like anything. Some of it is quite stunning. How was it repaired? Just curious? Did they drill it and put a rod in?
@@MTKDofficial No, it was a chip. They filled the broken space with granite material. I can't even tell. If I was starting new I would probably pick quartz too but the granite is too beautiful to replace.
@@MTKDofficial as a stone fabricator I disagree. The natural stones have far more depth and character than quartz. However Cambria does do a decent job of making some granite-like patterns. To the layman a quartz piece might mimic a natural stone, but when you see the natural beauty of a nice piece of stone (i.e. superwhite quartzite, fantasy brown dolomite, titanium Granite) thee is no possibility of recreating that with modern technology to be equally as awesome.
@@corieamundson7270
Hey Corie. Thanks for the input. I do agree it is pretty difficult to match the beauty of natural stone. I don't mean to imply that they are exact matches. They are definitely copies with some better than others.
@@corieamundson7270 I (of course) agree that natural stone has a greater 'depth and character' than quartz. Quartz excels in having so many more colors and variations to more closely match an exact taste though. In addition, there are many overused styles of granite that have a now 'dated' look in homes. So as a future consumer making a decision I am still in debate. As for your mention of quartzite... I fell in love with that natural stone! We broke up after I saw the price though :)
I poured Epoxy Resin in the kitchen and two bath and they looked great. I made the bathrooms look like white marble and the kitchen like metallic grey granite. I watched A LOT of How-to videos and practiced on sample boards several times before I did it. Fun to do but not something I would recommend to first time DIY'ers but it is great if you are artistic and willing to work for it.
Oh cool! How do you find it stands up to use?
@@MTKDofficial I sold the property but if it scratches you can easily polish it. I will do it again in the house I'm renovating now. Fun project, you should try it.
@@jamespatrick1548 be careful. That’s a very toxic job and it can cause health issues.
@@johnjohng668 the epoxy I used has no toxic fumes.
Great info.!!
Hey Brenda! Thanks for the comment.
very good introduce
I have two of the designs he is showing in this video, must be popular.
Mark , I am trying to get more info on a new product they talk about out there called Mineral stone, i.e., Dekton, Lapitec is the any info you can provide? I have checked many videos on UA-cam concerning countertop information and your channel is by far the best and most informative I've ever come across, Thanks for your professionalism and even handed explanations of the different products available.
Hey Tom. I have a video about Dekton. It's been around for a number of years. It is very resistant to stains and scratching and will handle any amount of heat as there are no resins. Its only drawback may be in impact resistance. Check it out here ua-cam.com/video/XD1O1beCWLo/v-deo.html
I had a client choose to go with Soapstone, and ordered from one of the last quarries in Virginia. He also chose to have floor tiles of 4 different sizes made at the same quarry, they took longer, but looked great in the end. Anyhoo...
The counters got installed and sealed, then allowed to cure for 24 hours. After the dry/cure was done, the GC covered the tops with resin paper and it was announced that NO ONE was allowed to place ANYTHING on the counter tops, so we did not. On the last day of trim out, we removed paper from the tops and in installed the faucet. When the client came home, he removed all of the paper and it was discovered that the Soapstone had a quartz vein that had separated from the Soapstone, and created a large fissure. Client lost it and started throwing blame around. Fortunately, the GC had a camera in the job site that viewed the area in particular and allowed the client access to the footage to sleuth it out for himself. Needless to say, he did review the footage and found that only his family members had placed anything on the covered tops.
Finally, they contacted the installers and they came out, explained that this was to be expected due to the stone acclimatizing to the indoor environment. They used an epoxy to reattach the quartz pieces in the fissure and filled in the voids. It was almost imperceptible. But the client still regrets going with Soapstone. It cost an arm & a leg but he keeps talking about replacing it.
He's still a client of mine, but refuses to use the GC ever again. Mostly for other reasons (walls not plumb or square, half assed detail work, etc.) I no longer do work with him either, unless a mutual client uses him.
good info here great job............sounds like quartz is the best regarding durability
Thanks! Overall, I think it's the way to go for durability. However, I hear lots of people comment on how well granite holds up, among others. If I were purchasing stone, it would be quartz.
I have granite, quartz and marble. Of the three quartz is my least favorite. The beauty of marble and granite being natural is so much more unique.
You probably got yourself a crappy quartz. Get yourself a Cambria :)
Big baller!
@@davidfortygin5989 cambria it’s not the best stuff they still break specially in the kitchen 90 degree corners, have some of them it’s much safer if the fabricator do join at this area
As a kitchen designer I would NEVER put marble in kitchen! It’s much too soft & porous. His info is right on target!
Perfectly said.
Very helpful and highly useful information, well presented, too! Thank you!
I will only have quartz., absolutely love it.
Yeah, it is definitely the leading choice for countertop.
I have my heart set on granite because I love the beauty of natural stone. Thanks for the tip about looking at the back of the samples. I had read that some granite is more durable than others but it's hard to find specific information on which ones to choose.
Hey. You're welcome. When in doubt, try and call the fabricator directly. Anything with a lot of veins is generally a little weaker.
Look at quartzite.
Great video, very informative. What was not mentioned in regards to quartz and granite is there is frequently minimum size that will be sold. I have renovated (contractors) two small kitchens. Both renos had this "too small" quantity issue.
That's a good point. Some places do have a minimum per/sqft order. Was it purchased through a big box store like Home Depot?
Usually if you get the stone from a dedicated supplier you can get any size. In fact there is a company I've dealt with that had a whole program just for small sizes.
It's so silly that they would do that, when you can go out and purchase a 30" vanity with a pre-installed quartz countertop.
Kitchens in high density, urban cities like Manhattan have very small kitchens, and those that are being renovated are using natural stone. I'm guessing it is based on the retailer (or the wholesaler who supplies the retailer).
This was extremely helpful. I am hoping to replace my countertops and have been toying around with the best options that would meet the desired aesthetic and functionality. I was considering a granite countertop before viewing this video, but I will expand my search to include quartz, as the yearly sealing seems like it could be costly.
I'm going to be reviewing a product called Dekton. you should check it out as well.
@@MTKDofficial Anxiously awaiting the review. Thank you!
Sealant cost next to nothing.
@@mrkroeger Thank you so much. The cost and concern about my ability to properly maintain is driving the decision. I appreciate the tip.
@@bijoubijou7500 I agree that sealant is inexpensive and super easy to apply. But yeah, I get 'lazy spells' and could see me neglecting my upkeep for years! I would love to hear more about 'quartzite' (natural stone, stupid expensive), just to have more info on how it would stack up to the cheaper but still high end quartz and granite.
Thanks so much for all these videos! I have watched many...!! Question - what are your thoughts on glossy vs matte quartz and staining? I have had a few folks recommend against matte because it is more susceptible to staining. Thoughts? (apologies if this is covered somewhere in an existing video)
Overall I’m more of a glossy fan. I think it is better at resisting stains. Though both finishes are non porous. I think polished quartz would have less surface area on the microscopic level and therefor less opportunity for a stain to take hold. This is my opinion.
I got quartz in white and after many years I still no regrets. Still love it
That seems to be the consensus! Thanks for sharing!
You answered most of my concerns about these products which is why I steered away from them. I don’t fault anyone for using them everyone has personal preference. I’m all about LOW maintenance appearance and cleanup so I’m using high gloss ceramic floor tile white with slight traces of gray granite. I’m sure there may be some reluctance by others but if it’s sturdy enough for floor traffic a countertop will be nothing I’m looking forward to it!
Hey. Thanks for the comment. My only concern with ceramic is the grout. Be diligent with sealing and keeping clean. The tile itself should be fine.
Yea, this is why I am not considering tiles for countertops. Grouts are a pain to clean and maintain, especially for kitchen countertops they will get stained from day one.
I used porcelain tile and it takes everything you can throw at it. Its tough, stain proof, scratch proof and hot pots can go on it without any issues. After 15 years there is no wear. It would be nice to get it in a solid piece without grout lines though.
Great! Thanks for the info Don. It is available in large slab format. Infinity Surfaces out of Italy make some beautiful stuff. Doing a video about it this Sunday. Good to hear how durable it is!
Hi Mark - So glad that I found your video today. You are a great communicator & educator. I learned a lot -thank you! My realtor told me that most of his clients are looking for quartz. We have granite which we have really enjoyed. I look at it thinking that we should replace it with quartz before putting our home on the market but we have decided to let the buyer decide that for themselves. Is granite recycled? It would be such a waste to just end up in a landfill!. Thanks again!!
Hi Grace.
Thanks for the kind words! I'd say you are right to leave the granite. I doubt you get it back in the sale in terms of cost. There is no reason why you couldn't recycle granite. It can easily be cut and resold, even into smaller pieces for islands and vanities.
@@MTKDofficial Thank you Mark for responding to my comments/questions. We will for sure keep our granite & hopefully when our house is on the market there will a buyer who will enjoy it as much as we have. Thanks again!!
@@MTKDofficial Great idea to check for “end pieces’ - left overs, if you will, from other jobs if you need a small piece for, say, a vanity top in a powder room. I did that, got exactly what I wanted for a fraction of the cost of going for a slab, most of which would have gone to waste. Just check at your slab yard or with installers.
Great review thanks! Could you please also compare with Corian / Himacs / Samsung Staron type surfaces that can be formed into any shape so can make one continuous join-free worktop and splashback (or backsplash, as you guys say, LOL)
Hey thanks. I haven't said much about acrylic surfaces yet. I used to sell both Corian and Staron. Maybe in the future I'll do that!
Hey Mark,
I just subscribed to your channel. My question is what your thoughts are on concrete and epoxy counter tops?
Thanks, great info. When I am done building my kitchen, I will send you pics. I am doing everything myself. I also am a cabinet maker by trade.
Hey Nathan. Thanks so much!
Yeah definitely send me pics I would love to see it.
As far as concrete goes, I love it. Overall I think it’s a great choice. Especially if you can do it yourself. Epoxy I’m not so struck on, although they can look really cool. I just don’t have enough experience with them maybe to really comment.
Almost forgot to say, the best explanation and thank you. The only countertop required is one that has a backsplash. Because all the durability of the flat rocks va is the constant caulking and no protection to your wall. Your materials should be balanced to work together long term. Also, it is extremely heavy for your counters and flooring if you are upstairs. Laminate works well-- like do you want your great grandma's kitchen pattern?
Hi Ada! Thanks for your input about the backsplash and your kind words.
Very informative. What would you recommend for an outdoor kitchen in the California area? For an uncovered area and for a fireplace table. What are your thoughts on soapstone?
Well, the Dekton from the other video is great for outside. Porcelain is an option as well. But, soapstone is a great natural option. Such a great stone. In my area, however, it's pretty much non existent. Unfortunately.
I have granite and I love it.
I have Silestone quartz which looks STUNNING but it does stain pretty easily.. which makes no sense if it doesn't absorb liquid? If I don't quickly wipe away any spills, I have to use a really strong cleaner to get the stains out... still feel it's worth it as it actually encourages me to clean as I go, but yeah something to consider.
Hey Mia! Thanks for the info. That is really good to know. And it is strange that it would stain so easily. I wonder if its colour dependent?
Loved the video! I'm considering getting a black, white, organge/gold counter...I have old Spanish tiles and my cabinets are pine with black metal hardware. I'm getting mixed responses from friends on how the counters will look. I think they will look amazing. Any feedback on paring granite with Spanish floor tiles?
Hey thanks! Without seeing it, it's a little hard to comment. However, it sounds like you know what you want, and that is the most important thing. If you love it, go for it!
Thanks for the info and starting the discussion! After reading the comments, I'm going to go with granite. Quartz seems to chip and stain more than granite and is harder to repair - which begs to be replaced. I resent planned obsolescence because it's literally so wasteful. I want something that will last and plays nice with the right to repair movement. I'll happily seal granite so it won't end up in the landfill.
Granite is a great choice. I have some other videos where I perform some test and granite is a strong contender for #1
I totally agree. I have granite and plan to keep it at least 30 years or more.
Hi this was very informative. In Indian context it's a little different. Curious about laminate countertops. How do you treat the edges when you take a stone finish laminate? Turmeric stains are a nightmare with Indian quartz as Indian cooking is very turmeric heavy.
Hi! Well, laminate edges are just that, laminated. probably the worst part of laminate counters. if done correctly, they will be fine. However, if you want something that will handle turmeric, porcelain or other ultra-compact surfaces like Dekton are the way to go.
Good information, would like to hear your opinion on soap stone and wood counter tops.
Thanks Joy! I like the look of most wood countertops, but not a fan as an overall countertop for the entire kitchen. Now, I have a viewer who has his wooden top covered in acrylic and he loves it. This is an option for sure that may work. Wood is very porous and so for this reason it's a no for me.
Soapstone is gorgeous but has never been the stone of choice in the industry. I would put this in with the marbles as it is very porous and needs to be treated regularly. However, I've also heard from viewers with soapstone who absolutely love it.
I think it's important to weigh out all the options and find the one that fits your lifestyle the best. That will be the best countertop!
@@MTKDofficial soapstone is literally stain proof. It is the LEAST porus of all natural stones.
Thank you I just change my mind .
We are in the process of building our dream home...I thought I had my heart set on Quartz but changed my mind last minute and went with Granite! (Thunder white) I just love the idea of it being a unique natural stone. I feel it's timeless. Big deal it has to be sealed every so often...well worth it!
Granite is a great choice. It feels good, when you feel good about the purchase too. Enjoy!!
Oh my God am confused 😐. Was going for dekton and now Quartz? Granite?
I agree with Mark (again). There’s such little effort required to sealing it. I love the “depth” of natural stone / granite! Timeless
Thunder White is an awesome granite color!! I almost chose it and then decided on quartz at the last moment, named Rococco, which has a very marble look. Doesn't have the depth of the thunder white but doesn't feel so busy for me. Anyway, glad you like your choice... it's a beautiful stone!
This is a great well done video. You deliver good information with a broad brush. You might do more research in the area of restoration / repair. Granite is actually significantly easier to repair than a quartz solid surface slab. Some manufacturers fail to notify the consumer that some of the most common solvents can etch and damage quartz surfaces. We tried to repair a simple acetone touch up post installation with really bad results. There was no bringing back the shine regardless of the media or method. The entire island slab had to be replaced by the contractor and the homeowner learned what not to use to clean up simple tape adhesive or other gooey residue. Go figure. Nail polish remover could etch the resins in these so-called durable surfaces.
Thanks so much Mark, for the input and experience. I really appreciate helpful comments like this!
I install granite countertops everyday. Quartz ive taken a hammer to break it( it took alot of hits) to break.the darker the granite the stronger. The fiberglass on the back means its weaker.
Quartz all the way for me, I dont want extra maintenance especially in a kitchen. I have a marble top in my bathroom vanity, and yes it’s gorgeous but a nightmare to maintain.
@@colbyrulesmydoggie4839 i have my quartz for years now. Even the one on the island top where we always eat all sorts of food, we do hotpot there too. It also has a griddle built into it. The quartz looks brand new, no stain and no chip And guess what? Our quartz is pure white lol. So you’re wrong.
The problem with what the trade calls “granite” is that most of it isn’t granite. This can make quite a big difference in the weight on top of your cabinets. Granites are mainly quartz and feldspar and have densities of 2.6- 2.8 grams/cc while more dense rocks such as gabbros, diorites and peridotite ( usually darker) are much heavier, at 2.9 - 3.3 gym/cc. It may not sound like much but it can be several hundred pounds difference on a big countertop. Many “granites” are metamorphic rocks formed at great pressures and temperatures and are denser. True quartz rock (quartzite) is not so heavy, but qan be brittle and fractured, and sometimes porous.
Very informative. Thank you!
I do counter tops for a living and I have for 20 years. videos are funny
Fantastic information. I've only had either laminate or wood (sealed) countertops which have been great. Now that I'm renovating my kitchen I was leaning towards quartz. However, I've seen folks paint & seal their laminate to mimic quartz/granite. Is this something you recommend? Thanks. Be well.
Hey thanks. So I’m not a fan of painting countertops, however, I’d have to see the process to ensure that it was going to be durable enough to take any abuse. I would just worry that it would chip and scratch easily.
Saying that, my folks painted a laminate vanity tops years ago and it is still good as new. Not getting the abuse that a kitchen would, but still.
Thanks for watching!
It sounds extremely toxic.
We are remodeling our kitchen and the "wood look" laminate countertops, about 40 years old (!!!), were in surprisingly great shape, even around the drop-in sink! I wouldn't mind laminate, but I REALLY want mirror-like sparkles in my counter, and that's something you can't find in laminate. I'm probably going with Silestone Stellar Snow quartz. My question is, do you think it matters whether you buy from a place like Home Depot or an actual private kitchen design place? Is there a difference in product quality or installation quality?
In regards to granite, I think the porosity varies with the stone chosen, and it seems the darker the stone, the less porous it is. I almost went with Blue Pearl (which is fairly dark) so I brought a sample home... I put pizza sauce, red and blue concentrated kool-aid, pineapple juice, permanent ink marker, vegetable oil, and D-Lime on it and let set for 24 hours. The only thing that did any damage to it was the D-Lime. Also, one of the stone workers told me that granite IS repairable. Resealing is just a matter of spraying or wiping on the product, waiting a bit, and wiping it off. If someone has their heart set on granite, I wouldn't let a 10 minute, once a year job of resealing it, be a deterrent.
Hey. In regards to quality questions on Quartz, check this out - ua-cam.com/video/QRVQC3nsADg/v-deo.html
The quick answer is, no matter where you buy Silestone (I've installed Stellar Snow for clients, very nice!!) you are getting the exact same quality. However, when it comes to the fabrication and installation aspect, it could vary.
The HD in my area use a fabricator called Granitdesign. They are top notch. I've also used them and have been to their facility. They are just as qualified as a local stone yard or maybe even better. So it really depends.
@@MTKDofficial Thank you! I'll check out that video. Good to know from someone with experience that Stellar Snow is a good one! What area are you in ?