Which to choose: conglomerate or granite?
When completing a kitchen, a lot of customers decide on kitchen worktops made of conglomerate, frequently giving up the idea of natural stone. Undoubtedly, it is a good decision - all the more so because both these materials are characterised by top quality. So which one to choose for our kitchen worktop: conglomerate or granite?
There is an ongoing discussion among producers of kitchen worktops which material is better: conglomerate or granite? It is common knowledge there are as many opinions as there are men taking part in a discussion. Let’s have a closer look at the arguments used both sides.
Kitchen worktops and window sills made of conglomerate
Conglomerate is nothing more than a ground stone, which when combined with epoxy resin forms the product, which is hard and resistant to scratching. Conglomerate can be produced from different types of stone as marble conglomerate or granite conglomerate. Thus the first one will be less resistant when in contact with acids, so if we look for the material of the highest standard and resistance, we choose the second one.
Conglomerate kitchen worktops have a lot of advantages. One of them is their capability of being formed into worktops of various thickness, their lightness and a lower price. Seamless joints enable obtaining specific shapes of non-standard sizes making conglomerate an ideal material for window sills. On the other hand, if we care about having a worktop of natural texture, we should reach for a real stone. In whatever way we paint it, conglomerate will never reproduce the cross - section of real stone while shining coating can be easily scratched.
Granite worktops
Granite worktops have always been considered to be the most beautiful. They possess all the above-mentioned qualities of conglomerate worktops, but they are twice as expensive. Possible scratches can be easily polished. Another disadvantage of granite worktops is their weight. Thicker granite worktops frequently require furniture of a more reinforced construction. The resistance to high temperatures, to scratches, slow warming up and non-inflammability of granite worktops often compensate for their disadvantages.
No matter if we choose conglomerate granite kitchen worktops or not, we should remember about impregnating them to preserve their beauty as long as possible.