a) andesite;graniteb) basalt;rhyolitec)gabbro;basalltd)rhyolite;diorite
Quartz is harder than granite, so there's less maintenance involved (you don't have to re-seal every few years or worry as much about stains). But it costs significantly more, and it's also much more brittle (as a result of being a harder material), so it chips and breaks easier. With just a little care, granite countertops will last a lifetime, and the available patterns and colors have much more variety than quartz. I suspect the salesman is just trying to get you to spend more money without telling you about the disadvantages...:)
The salesman won't be living there, so pick what YOU like and YOU can afford
Careful with granite. It's tough, but not impervious. I know it's all the rage, but it can still get pitted by acids like citrus juices and vinegar. I'll stick with my faux granite Corian.
Quartz counters are a man- made material. When DuPont's patent on Corian was about to expire, several manufacturers developed products that use Corian's ingredients as a base. Corian is 100% acrylic. Dupont, over the years, has used negative marketing strategies to sell Corian. The focus of this campaign has been to warn the pubilc of granite's porosity and need for maintenance. In reallity, it is Corian that shows its age. Corian surfaces develope a hazed look with use, caused by microscratches that occur every time something hard comes in contact with the Corian. These new products, called quartz counters, by the industry, take the basic acrylic matrix, that is Corian, and add ground up quartz. The colors are more granite-like. Pros and cons: Yes, granite is somewhat porous, but most colors used for counters are pretty tight. Granite needs to be sealed, but this is not a big deal. Every 6 months, you wipe on a clear sealant, let stand for 5-10 minutes, and wipe up the excess. No buffing needed, a easy as cleaning the tops with a sponge. The quartz products have a factory finish, that cannot not be field applied. With granite, we polish the seams to get a smooth finish, like sanding two boards you glue together. You can't do this with quartz, because you'll dull the finish. We don't know how it'll look down the road, because it is too new. properly cared for granite tops look like new 20 years later.
