Granite and quartz are among the most popular countertops Denver homeowners choose for their kitchen remodeling projects. These surfaces are so popular that you find them often in new construction as well, and many real estate agents even recommend them as a cost-effective way to enhance a kitchen in order to make a home more appealing to prospective buyers.

Aesthetics
A recent survey by the National Association of Realtors indicates that most homebuyers prefer granite but that quartz was high on the list as well. This preference tends to be reflected locally as well. The natural variations found in the stone are a big part of why the granite countertops Denver consumers like are preferred over quartz. The quartz countertops Denver homeowners have available are often considered ultra-modern, which may be out of style, and is a characteristic often described as “cold,” which may make it difficult to achieve a balance within a traditionally styled kitchen.

Surface Abrasions
The quartz and granite countertops Denver consumers opt for are meant to be used and how well those surfaces stand up to that abuse is a big consideration. Perhaps the greatest hallmark of quartz is its near-indestructibility. You won’t cut, chip or crack it ever through normal use. Granite may not be that tough, but it’s close. It’s crack- and chip-resistant, and if you do manage to chip it, it can be polished out.

Surface Seal
Non-porousness is a similar characteristic across almost all all quartz countertops Denver homeowners choose, but not granite. There’s greater awareness of how counter surfaces contribute to strong food health. A surface that’s nonporous is much easier to keep clean in a practical sense but also in terms of dangerous bacteria, such as from uncooked meats and vegetables. The other point of interest here is staining. A surface may hold up structurally, but if it stains easily, that diminishes its value long-term. Both granite and quartz are stain-resistant, but granite requires reapplication of a sealant, and the industry recommendation is to re-polish and reseal annually.

Heat Resistance
Another important consideration for the countertops Denver homeowners select from is heat resistance. A big knock against quartz is that it heats well and quickly. Placing a hot pot on a quartz area will cause the surface to heat and present a burn risk depending on how hot the pot is. Granite doesn’t have this problem at all and will remain cool no matter how hot the pot.