Home Garden

Swanstone Vs. Composite Granite

Swanstone solid surfaces and composite granite are both common considerations for many areas around the home, including countertops, showers and floors. Deciding on a material depends on your budget, aesthetic expectations and amount of time you are willing to spend maintaining the surface of the material.
  1. Cost

    • Composite granite is one of the most expensive materials used in home remodeling. Granite must be quarried from various mines around the world and shipped to the United States to be polished and shaped. Swanstone, however, is a man-made material manufactured inside the country. For this reason, swanstone products can often be purchased and installed for a fraction of the price of granite.

    Environmental Concerns

    • Granite must be quarried and transported long distances, resulting in its production being much less eco-friendly than that of swanstone. Swanstone can be laid directly over existing surfaces, such as tile walls, resulting in less waste that must be discarded. Swanstone also does not emit any volatile organic carbons, or VOCs. Granite, on the other hand, has been known to release trace amounts of radon and other types of radiation.

    Durability

    • Swanstone and composite granite are both regarded for their durability. Granite is especially resistant to heat, while swanstone may get scorched when in contact with very high temperatures. Although granite is very resistant to wear, it can also crack. Scratches in granite can be difficult to fix. Gouges or cuts in swanstone, nonetheless, can be removed with an abrasive cleaner since it is made out of a solid uniform material. Granite requires regular sealing.

    Appearance

    • Granite provides an elegance that is hard to match in other materials. It offers a permanent and substantial feel to a room and is associated with high class taste. Swanstone can also be appealing, especially compared to cheaper forms of countertops and flooring, such as laminate. Both options come in a variety of colors. Swanstone is more adaptable in that it can be made to your specification according to color and other qualities.