Financing to update and renovate your space

As a mortgage brokerage, we have a lot of clients that come to us to refinance their home in order to do updates and to renovate.

Some of the most common updates are to the kitchen area, the bathroom areas and the flooring. They may be updating it for resale value or just because it is tired or because repairs are necessary. Our clients often ask us for advice. This week, we are talking about kitchen counter tops and granite vs quartz.

For some clients in older homes, they may still have those older style countertops that they are looking to update. They know that granite and quartz are the two most popular choices at the moment but are often unsure which one to get. To simplify it, it often comes down to budget as both are as equally pleasing to the eye and durable.

Granite VS Quartz

While granite is 100% natural stone and mined from quarries all over the world, quartz is 95% ground natural quartz and 5% polymer resins.

While granite is 100% natural stone and mined from quarries all over the world, quartz is 95% ground natural quartz and 5% polymer resins. Granite comes in many colours and patterns and will have natural imperfections and flaws and no two slabs of granite will ever be the same. Quartz on the other hand, has the look of stone but is manufactured so has a more consistent look.

Budget vs function

Keep in mind that granite is natural stone and therefore heat resistant while quartz can be damaged by excessive heat. Granite is porous whereas quartz is not and relatively bacteria free. While both countertops offer pros and cons, most of our clients are quite happy with the less expensive option of quartz.