Concrete vs granite buying guide. Are you in the market for a new kitchen or bathroom countertop? You may soon get overwhelmed at all the choices out there. Perhaps you have narrowed down your possibilities to concrete and granite. These are two of the most popular stones out there that homeowners are incorporating into their homes.
Granite Countertops & Surrounds
Granite, a naturally-occurring stone, has resulted from cooling lava over millions of years. It comes from several locations all over the world, such as Italy, Brazil, and India, and each one comes with its own unique characteristics. Granite combines quartz and feldspar, along with other trace minerals. To get to the form of a slab, which is what you see in the showroom, the rock has to be mined, then cut and polished. It comes in a variety of beautiful patterns, swirls and colors, oftentimes with flecks of gold or color mixed in. It’s a popular material for kitchen countertops due to its beauty and durability.
Concrete Countertops & Surrounds
Concrete is a blend of a variety of different materials. It’s not the same as cement, although they are similar. While cement is an ingredient in concrete, concrete is the end result that is created by mixing cement and water. It starts off as a paste, then an aggregate such as gravel or sand is added to bind it all. It hardens into a very durable material that is great for countertops.
Here are some of the considerations to think about when deciding between concrete and granite.
Cost Concrete vs Granite
It all comes down to the price tag for many homeowners. Granite can range from $35 to $100, depending on finish and color. You’ll spend more on colors that are rare or that have been mined from far-off locations, which adds to the shipping cost.
Concrete can range from $65 to $135, depending on how much customization you’re looking for. In fact, this is one of the best things about concrete: you can customize its appearance in many ways. Unfortunately, all those personalized touches add to the final price tag.
If you can believe it, granite countertops are actually more affordable than their concrete counterparts. However, the installation cost for granite can drive the price up, especially if your installers have to make a lot of customized shapes and cuts.
Appearance of Concrete vs Granite
Granite is a naturally-sourced stone, with countless color, pattern and texture variations to choose from. The hardest part about choosing your granite slab will be trying to find the perfect veining, patterns and colors. This is great if you’re a homeowner that wants individuality for a smaller piece, but if you’re working on a large project that requires multiple large slabs, it can be inconvenient to find continuous patterns that doesn’t clash. Also, multiple slabs usually need a seam in between, which can detract from the overall appearance. You can find granite in many finishes, too, such as:
- Polished
- Glossy
- Honed
- Matte
- Leathered
Concrete countertops can be made in any color, as well. Because concrete is a man-made mixture, you can dye it virtually any shade. You can also add materials to further define the end result. For instance, if you are installing countertops in your beach cottage, you can add tiny shell pieces to the concrete. In addition, you can add stencils or textures to concrete.
Just keep in mind, custom-made products add to the cost and take longer to complete. Concrete counters tend to develop a patina over time, which is a slight staining arising from chemical reactions. Some people like this look; others don’t.
There are many factors that come into play in regards to choosing between granite and concrete. It’s a highly personal decision that you should research fully before committing to!
Contact Granite Guy
Massachusetts Granite Company
For more reasons to choose granite and to get a free consultation on your new countertops, contact our granite installers in Boston at 508-460-7900. Visit our natural stone and engineered stone in Southborough, MA
We install granite and other fine stones all over New England