Top-Rated Granite & Quartz Countertops in Charleston, SC
Do you need to replace old or worn-out Charleston countertops in your home? With so many factors to consider- aesthetics, durability, and budget- finding the perfect countertop material isn’t always easy. In this article, we’ll outline the best granite and quartz countertops Charleston has to offer so you can select the material that’s just right for your kitchen or bath renovation. Read on to find out why granite and quartz are great choices for your countertops, with pictures of some beautiful installations, as well as helpful tips in choosing a fabricator.
Introduction
Years of wear and tear have destroyed our kitchen and bathroom countertops. Suppose the best days of your home’s floors are well behind you, perhaps with cracked tiles throughout, stained laminate here and there, or chipped solid surface materials within easy eyesight. If you’re ready to take your space up a visual level and are in search of the best granite options, upgrade to natural stone countertops that grant an exit from temporary while withstanding all trials.
Granite and quartz countertops are today’s most popular upgrades in Charleston homes. As you know, they are a good investment because of their natural beauty, durability, and flexibility. Homeowners should consider the respective pros and cons of both materials, which this article discussed to a reasonable extent.
Why Consider Granite or Quartz?
Granite and quartz make excellent countertop materials for several reasons:
Aesthetics
Granite and quartz come in many different colors and patterns to match any design personality. This depth, visual interest, and uniqueness are achieved through both their natural beauty and random patterning—a trademark of our granite.
Durability
Natural stones include granite and quartzite (all of which are very resilient to heavy daily use and abuse via hot pans/steam, sharp knives, etc.). The dense structure of granite is very resistant to scratches, stains, and cracks, better than most surfaces, which prompts many people’s first choices for a mistake.
Easy Maintenance
Despite their porous nature, granite and quartz have only required simple cleaning with soap and water to keep them looking new for decades. Resealing granite yearly will keep it water-resistant.
Customization
Experienced fabricators can customize slabs to fit any space by precisely cutting patterns, edges, curves, corners, and openings, a service exemplified. This allows for seamless integration with cabinets and appliances.
Resale Value
Upscale countertop materials like natural stone can significantly increase a home’s value. Homebuyers appreciate updated spaces with higher-end finishes, such as Cambria kitchen countertops.
Granite and quartz provide beauty, durability, low maintenance, customization, and added resale value. Read on to learn more about each material’s unique qualities, including those found in our showroom’s selection of granite.
Granite Countertops
Granite’s stunning colors, patterns, and longevity make it a perennial favorite. Available in dramatic dark tones and vivid bursts of color, granite brings life to any space.
Unmatched Beauty
With a vast diversity of natural patterns, colors, and textures, granite offers unlimited design possibilities. From solid black to reddish pink quartzite, neutral grays to vivid blue hues, granite provides a truly unique look.
Extreme Durability
As one of the hardest structural stones on earth, granite stands up beautifully to heavy daily use for decades. Its density resists scratches, stains, and cracks and heats up to 650 degrees Fahrenheit.
Easy Cleaning
Despite being porous, sealing granite countertops makes them simple to clean, a service often provided by skilled installers. Mild soap and water are all needed to remove dirt and stains. Resealing every 12 months will maintain water resistance.
Environmentally Sound
As an abundant natural material, granite is ecologically responsible. Local South Carolina quarries, including those near North Charleston, provide numerous jobs while minimizing environmental impact.
Retains Value
Few materials enhance a home’s value, like granite countertops. Their beauty and durability make them highly desirable upgrades that will pay off when the house is sold.
With proper sealing and cleaning, granite countertops should provide 20-30 years of enjoyment before needing replacement. Their unmatched visual impact makes them a sound investment.
Quartz Countertops
Engineered quartz countertops provide an exceptional alternative for those desiring granite’s beauty with even more durability and maintenance ease. The trends for quartz countertops are changing.
Visual Depth
While artificial, high-quality quartz contains over 90% ground quartz crystals blended with resins for cohesion. This creates random patterns that mimic granite’s depth and sparkle beautifully.
Wider Color Range
Quartz mixes natural quartz with pigments; therefore, color possibilities are endless, from solid black to crisp white with speckles, streaks, swirls, and many more. Neutral, earthy, white, and bold hues have been very popular in 2024.
Strength
Quartz countertops are highly resistant to scratches, stains, cracks, and heat. Their dense construction makes them more durable than granite, as no pores exist to allow damage.
Maintenance
Due to its non-porous surface, quartz needs no sealing. Simply washing with soap and water maintains its beauty. No sealing or special cleaners are needed, making upkeep a breeze.
Lifespan
With proper care, quartz countertops should last 20-25 years. Their dense construction provides long-lasting durability.
For extreme resilience and hassle-free cleaning, quartz makes an outstanding choice. It provides granite’s coveted look with enhanced durability and maintenance ease.
Countertop Comparison Chart
| Feature | Granite | Quartz |
| Durability | Very durable, dense stone resists scratches, stains, and cracks well, making it a top choice for kitchen countertops. | Extremely durable surface with high resin content is essentially non-porous |
| Heat Tolerance | Excellent, can withstand over 650 degrees Fahrenheit | Very good, avoid direct high heat |
| Water Resistance | When properly sealed, granite repels water very well, a key feature of granite countertops in Charleston homes. | Non-porous, so naturally moisture resistant |
| Maintenance | Requires yearly sealing and periodic resealing to repel stains | None is needed besides basic cleaning |
| Pricing Per Square Foot | $60-150 per square foot installed | $100-150 per square foot installed |
| Lifespan | 20-30 years with proper care | 20-25 years on average |
This comparison shows quartz edging out granite slightly in terms of durability and maintenance needs. However, granite wins visually because of its unmatched variety and natural beauty. Both remain leading choices.
Visit Us on Our Showroom
Don’t settle for lackluster laminate or tile countertops for years longer. Instead, give your Charleston home the beautiful, durable natural stone surfaces it deserves. Granite or quartz provides the ideal focal point for any well-designed, functional kitchen or bath. Choose between these leading materials confidently, knowing either option yields outstanding performance, longevity, and enjoyment for decades. You can choose us and contact us, i.e., Eugene’s Marble And Granite, at our showroom in Charleston.
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