Caesarstone vs Granite
Knowing the difference between caesarstone and granite becomes crucial when you decide to remodel your kitchen. From the cupboards to floorboards, one has to choose what best suits one’s requirements. Deciding upon one’s countertop is another issue that is encountered when undergoing this process. Caesarstone and granite are two options that present themselves invariably when speaking of kitchen countertops.
What is Caesarstone?
Caesarstone is a countertop material of which the main ingredient is quartz. It is a 97% natural product with 93% quartz aggregates with 7% of colour pigments and polymer resins that bind it all together. It offers many colour variations and finishes and is quite resistant to stains, scratches and cracks. It is also highly heat-resistant with a flexibility of adjusting the thickness of the surface as one wishes. Caesarstone countertops can range from $60 to $100 per square foot in America.
What is Granite?
Granite can be described as phaneritic andgranular in nature. It is a felsic intrusive igneous rock often used as countertops due to its durable nature. Sliced from quarries, granite countertops are 100% natural. They are cut to size and are polished and honed down until they are smooth. Since it is a natural product, the colours of granite are limited to what the nature has produced. In addition to that, no two slabs are alike and, therefore, the patterns are consistent throughout. Granite is porous and is, therefore, susceptible to staining and requires to be resealed once a year minimum without which it takes on a dull appearance. Granite countertops can range from $40 to $150 per square foot in America.
What is the difference between Caesarstone and Granite?
Caesarstone and granite are two choices of countertops available in the market today. They are two different products each featuring unique characteristics and, therefore, advantages and disadvantages as well.
• Granite is 100% natural. Caesarstone is 97% natural.
• Since granite is a natural product, the patterns are not consistent throughout. In caesarstone, the patterns are consistent right throughout.
• Pattern and colour variation of granite is limited while caesarstone offers a wide variety of patterns and colours.
• The price of granite countertops can range from $40 to $150 per square foot while the price of caesarstone can range from $60 to $100 per square foot.
• Caesarstone is more resistant to chips, damage and stain than granite of which the more porous nature makes it more susceptible to cracking and staining.
• Minimum once a year, granite needs to be resealed to avoid staining and other damages. Caesarstone does not require annual maintenance or resealing since it is approximately 17 times less porous than granite.
• Granite contains almost no radon, which is a radioactive gas that has been linked to lung cancer. Caesarstone contains very little radon in its composition.
Photos By: Worktop Projects (CC BY-ND 2.0), Granite Charlotte Countertops (CC BY 2.0)
Further Reading:
- Difference Between Granite and Quartz
- Difference Between Marble and Granite
- Difference Between Basalt and Granite
- Difference Between Gneiss and Granite