Granite is the top choice amongst homeowners and you may want to call in the granite installers or granite countertop companies for the purchasing and installation process. Before you proceed with the granite installers, you may want to compare it with another material for your kitchen countertop, which is becoming quite popular nowadays, Concrete.
Know about the best kitchen countertop options
When you hear the word concrete, you envision it as a road pavement, but it is a lot more than that. It is hard and durable and many other qualities. Granite and concrete are compared below in detail so that it becomes easy for you to make a decision and then you can decide if you want to call the granite installers and granite countertop companies.
Granite or concrete countertop for kitchen
- Structure and Composition
Granite is made from natural rock and it mainly consists of quartz, feldspar, and mica, all of which are hard and ingenious pieces of rocks. These all are extracted in its natural forms and are joined together to make granite rock.
Concrete, on the other hand, is completely man-made and is made from cement, water and sand and forms a hard slab.
- Aesthetics
The look of granite is luxurious, it is also known as a rich man’s slab. Each piece will be original depending on the naturally extracted minerals.
On the contrary, concrete has a rustic and vintage appeal and look like an industrial kitchen full of stones. It is not elegant but artistic in appearance.
- Customization
Granite cannot be customized much in any shape and size and comes in custom size and shape only. You have many colors to choose from, but not very unique colors but mostly natural colors of the original minerals.
As for concrete, it can be made in shape and size and the color choices are endless, which means you can have your own unique and customized piece. Also, concrete can be customized to add tiles, glass fragments, shells and stones for a unique countertop.
- Durability
Both granite and concrete are very hard and solid and very much durable and will last you a long time if well cared for.
- Heat Resistant
One property that countertops should have is heat resistance, because there are all sorts of hot pots and pans in the kitchen and the countertop should be able to withstand heat.
Granite is heat resistant and you can easily place your hot pans and pots on the surface without worrying about damaging it.
Concrete is heat resistant but it is sealed to avoid cracks which will get damaged if very hot pans and pots are placed so it is advisable to use a heating pad on the surface.
- Stain Resistant
The kitchen countertops are the workhorse of your kitchen and the bear the most load and wear and tear. Liquids and solid food substances are regularly spilled on the countertops which might also cause stains on them.
Granite is resistant to stains as long as the stains are wiped and cleaned immediately. As for concrete, it is not stain-resistant and acidic substances such as vinegar, citric juices, and red wine can cause immediate stains on the surface so you should wipe it immediately.
- Scratch Resistant
Granite is completely scratch resistant and you can easily use your knives on the countertop.
Concrete is not that much scratch resistant so you will have to be careful while using knives and sharp objects as constant use might create weak spots and also scratches which can later convert into cracks.
- Maintenance
Granite is absolutely low maintenance. It is non-porous in nature so it can be used just like that and requires no sealing as not solvents can penetrate in the countertop. But it is recommended to get it sealed once after installation to make it more durable.
Concrete is porous in nature which causes the solvents to penetrate and also lead to bacterial growth over time. You should get you concrete sealed at installation and then every 1 to 3 years and you need to get it waxed monthly so that it does not get damaged.
Although granite is the most preferred material, gradually concrete is also making a place in the market, but if you are not satisfied, then you can call in your granite countertop companies Raleigh NC.
