It may be hard to imagine but there was once a time in which plastic laminate countertops were the most popular choice for kitchen countertops. Homeowners could choose from a selection of colors and even match the bordering wood to their cabinets. Fancy, right? Unfortunately, laminate countertops turned out to be susceptible to damage from hot pans and sharp knives and not so easily repaired.
It's no surprise that homeowners jumped at the chance to have natural stone countertops in their home which are heat- and stain-resistant, sanitary, and incredibly durable. The introduction of granite countertops quickly made it the most popular countertop choice, practically obsoleting laminate and even outshining solid surfaces. The shiny surface and unique pattern of granite has become so valuable in the home that you could actually be hurting your home's value by not including it.
But has the ever-popular stone seen its best days? If you keep up with the latest kitchen trends, you've probably heard that granite is no longer the most popular countertop material. The National Kitchen and Bath Association recently reported that granite has been on the decline over the past 4 years, with another material rising to the top. That material? Quartz. 
If you're not familiar with quartz countertops, here's a quick refresher. Quartz is an engineered material made of 90 percent natural quartz with 8 to 10 percent resins, polymers, and pigments, and is widely known by its best trade-names of Cambria and Zodiaq. Quartz has all the advantages of granite and then some. It is so durable it's practically in-destructive and comes with a warranty to back it up. Quartz is known for being stain-, heat-, and scratch-resistant, and its non-porous nature makes it even more sanitary than stone surfaces.
Probably the main reason for the shift in popularity is due to the beautiful, custom appearance of quartz countertops. Quartz slabs are manufactured by setting ground quartz into a resin and polishing it to a fine sheen. Manufacturers are able to craft quartz slabs to the exact color, texture, and pattern you want. Granite slabs, on the other hand, are cut straight from a stone so you get less of a say in the pattern and color. 
While we undoubtedly love quartz for its custom look and durability, we don't believe there's a reason to regret your granite countertops just yet. Unlike when laminate went out of style, granite is still an incredibly durable material that is still gorgeous and widely popular. We love keeping up with the newest kitchen trends but keep in mind trends in their very nature are ever-changing and impossible to keep up with. As with any feature in your kitchen, we suggest you select what you love most to reflect your personal taste within your budget.
Which do you prefer - granite or quartz?
It's no surprise that homeowners jumped at the chance to have natural stone countertops in their home which are heat- and stain-resistant, sanitary, and incredibly durable. The introduction of granite countertops quickly made it the most popular countertop choice, practically obsoleting laminate and even outshining solid surfaces. The shiny surface and unique pattern of granite has become so valuable in the home that you could actually be hurting your home's value by not including it. But has the ever-popular stone seen its best days? If you keep up with the latest kitchen trends, you've probably heard that granite is no longer the most popular countertop material. The National Kitchen and Bath Association recently reported that granite has been on the decline over the past 4 years, with another material rising to the top. That material? Quartz. If you're not familiar with quartz countertops, here's a quick refresher. Quartz is an engineered material made of 90 percent natural quartz with 8 to 10 percent resins, polymers, and pigments, and is widely known by its best trade-names of Cambria and Zodiaq. Quartz has all the advantages of granite and then some. It is so durable it's practically in-destructive and comes with a warranty to back it up. Quartz is known for being stain-, heat-, and scratch-resistant, and its non-porous nature makes it even more sanitary than stone surfaces. Probably the main reason for the shift in popularity is due to the beautiful, custom appearance of quartz countertops. Quartz slabs are manufactured by setting ground quartz into a resin and polishing it to a fine sheen. Manufacturers are able to craft quartz slabs to the exact color, texture, and pattern you want. Granite slabs, on the other hand, are cut straight from a stone so you get less of a say in the pattern and color. While we undoubtedly love quartz for its custom look and durability, we don't believe there's a reason to regret your granite countertops just yet. Unlike when laminate went out of style, granite is still an incredibly durable material that is still gorgeous and widely popular. We love keeping up with the newest kitchen trends but keep in mind trends in their very nature are ever-changing and impossible to keep up with. As with any feature in your kitchen, we suggest you select what you love most to reflect your personal taste within your budget. Which do you prefer - granite or quartz?
