Recycled Glass Vs Granite Countertops
Are you remodeling your kitchen? If so, then your countertops are also something you’ll need to change at some point, and figuring out what material you want can be hard. Here is a comparison between recycled glass and granite countertops.
The Composition
Before getting into the nitty-gritty of what each countertop can do, it’s important to find out what they’re made of so that you can get a better idea about the properties of the material.
Granite Countertops
Granite countertops are made inside the Earth, by the cooling and pressurizing of molten magma and then these stones are mined from the ground in the form of large slabs and blocks.
Granite is an igneous rock that can sustain high temperatures and pressure without any difficulty, which makes it a wonderful choice for people who want something durable in the kitchen.
Recycled Glass Countertops
Recycled glass countertops, on the other hand, are made out of pulverized glass chunks and mixed in a base of resin that can either be clear or mixed with other minerals and mica to give it a tint, and the appearance of recycled glass is extremely beautiful and to die for.
Sometimes, the base can also be concrete, to give it that extra firmness and durability that everyone loves. It’s like a shiny and abstract mosaic and people tend to go for this material, solely because it looks mesmerizing and unique and there is no other countertop material that could match its beauty.
The Durability
If you’re getting a new countertop material, then durability is a key factor to consider because you don’t want to go for a material that’s not going to last long. That will just be a waste of money.
Granite Countertops
Granite countertops are marketed to be the strongest natural stone used in making kitchen countertops and that’s a huge remark.
Granite is truly a great material and it can last up to 25 years if maintained properly they can even add monetary value to your home because people love granite countertops and they’re willing to pay extra to sweeten the deal.
Recycled Glass Countertops
Recycled glass countertops are not as durable as granite and that can be due to a couple of reasons. Firstly, it’s glass. What do you expect? Glass is definitely a lot weaker than stone and it can also shatter pretty quickly, but if you’re going for a concrete-based countertop, then it’s going to last you a lot longer.
With that being said, however, recycled glass countertops can also last you a decent amount of time, provided that you take good care of them and don’t put a lot of weight on them.
Price
The next important thing to go over, when selecting a certain countertop material, is the price. Even though you shouldn’t go for the cheapest material out there, it’s still a good idea to do your own research and have a reasonable budget for your countertops.
Granite Countertops
As far as granite countertops are concerned, they are pretty expensive. You can get a 1×1 ft. granite slab or tile for about $40 to $100, depending on the thickness of the slab and how it was quarried. Granite is considered to be one of the most expensive materials out there, but for a lot of people, it’s well worth the investment. Get quotes from multiple granite installers Potomac to choose a deal that fits your budget.
Recycled Glass Countertops
Recycled glass countertops aren’t cheap either. If you thought that the term “recycled” could shave off a few bucks, then you’re wrong. Recycled glass countertops can cost you around $60 to $80 for a 1×1 ft. slab and that’s pretty much up there with granite.
Since this material is a bit more on the sustainable and recyclable side, it can also be steep in price, which is mainly why people don’t go for it because they just can’t justify the price at times, especially considering that it’s a glass countertop that’s not as durable as other natural and engineered materials.
Scratch & Stain Resistance
Stains and scratches are the two most unpleasant things that can ruin your countertops almost instantly. They make the countertops look old, ugly, and just not perfect at all, which is why resistance to stains and scratches should be the thing to look for in materials.
Granite Countertops
Granite countertops are great when it comes to scratch resistance because they’re very thick and hard and scratches are almost impossible to occur. These countertops are one of the few materials over which you can use a sharp knife and no scratches will occur.
Granite is also stain resistant, but it does need to be sealed to be waterproof and fully stain resistant, otherwise, unsealed granite countertops can stain super easily, because they’re porous.
Recycled Glass Countertops
On the flip side, glass countertops are also considered to be strong, but they can be scratched easily as compared to granite countertops and if you’re going for a resin-based countertop, then scratches can show up even easily.
As for stains, recycled glass countertops are pretty much stain-proof and you don’t need to seal the surfaces to prevent water or other liquids from staining the glass countertops because it is already a non-porous material.
Variety
Granite Countertops
As far as variety in colors is concerned, granite countertops are available in a huge number of colors, different veining patterns, and designs. Granite is available in lighter tones, medium hues, and bold and dark colors, so there’s something for everyone.
Recycled Glass Countertops
On the other hand, recycled glass countertops can also be made in a variety of colors, depending on the base of the resin. The resin or concrete can be tinted in different colors to give the glass countertops a beautiful base and the contrast looks amazing, to say the least.
The Maintenance
Last but not least, maintenance is also another important aspect to go over, especially if you’re getting a new material for your kitchen countertops.
Granite Countertops
Granite countertops, even though they’re great and all, are not low maintenance. They require sealing to be waterproof and stain resistant, and regular polishing and varnish to look shiny for longer.
Although these things can be done annually, they are still a hassle for a lot of people which is why they tend to go for other options that are low on the maintenance side. Not to mention, these things can also cost a lot and they add up, once you start doing them regularly.
Recycled Glass Countertops
Recycled glass countertops, on the other side, are very low maintenance, mainly because they don’t need to be sealed like other natural stones. Concrete-based glass countertops, however, need to be sealed, because concrete can absorb liquid very quickly and can stain, but this is not an issue with resin-based countertops.
You can also clean recycled glass countertops pretty easily, with just a simple solution of water and soap. There’s also no need to maintain the shine of recycled glass countertops because they are already lustrous in appearance.
Conclusion
These two countertop materials look very beautiful and it’s one of the reasons why people choose one or the other. Now that you know what makes or breaks each countertop, you can choose one for yourself by consulting a granite contractor Rockville.