Which Is Best For Countertops Natural Stone or Man Made
Personally, I'm a granite man
Personally, I'm a granite man. I fabricate both, but granite is what I would choose for my home every time. Not that there is anything wrong with the man made stuff. Let's look at the common aspects of both.
Scratch resistant: Both will stand up to common use of knifes, plates or anything that may generally be in contact with your counters. Diamonds and Granite are the only things capable of scratching either surface without really attempting to cause damage.
Stain Resistant: Once sealer is applied to granite it is stain resistant providing the homeowner cleans up after themselves. Man made stone is designed to be stain resistant without sealer.
Durable: Unless a sledge hammer toting mad man comes in to your home either product will lasts for the life of the home.
Heat Resistant: Both materials are capable of sustaining high temperatures. If you have fire damage to either then my bet is the rest of the house no longer exists.
Now Lets look at the negatives
Granite: Granite can crack if there is a shift in the structure of the home. This seldom occurs but it is possible depending on the cabinets, or if it is installed properly. I've seen cases where a counter might crack for no apparent reason, but it's a rarity.
Granite can stain if the sealer fails, or if it has not been applied. Stains can also occur if the foreign substance is given the time to eat through the sealers. Generally anything acidic can eat away the sealer to penetrate the granite.
Man Made Stone: One issue I have noticed as should any fabricator worth your time, is that the man made stone fades. If you get a lot of direct sunlight in your kitchen then I'd avoid the manufactured stuff. It's actually a rather dramatic fade.
The man made stuff also offers very little in character. It's a consistent looking material that lacks the natural flow found in most granite. This above all else is why I prefer granite. It is different every time.
Which Is Best For Countertops Natural Stone or Man Made