Quartz vs. Granite: Comparing Countertop Materials

‍

Table of Contents

• Introduction: Quartz vs. Granite Countertops Debate
• Key Differences Between Quartz and Granite Countertopssome text
  • Material Composition
  • Maintenance Requirements
  • Design Options
• Which Countertop Material is Best?some text
  • Appearance
  • Maintenance and Care
  • Lifespan
  • Repair
  • Cost
  • Installation
  • Water and Heat Resistance
  • Environmental Impact
  • Resale Value
• Conclusion: Which Should You Choose?
• Top Brands
• FAQ

‍

Introduction: Quartz vs. Granite Countertops Debate

One of the most debated topics is quartz vs. granite for your countertops. Both materials are beautiful, durable, and made from nature's finest ingredients, so either is a very good choice for your home. Deciding which is best for your kitchen is a choice that will make a difference to your home for years to come. Let's look at the key differences between granite and quartz to help you make an informed choice.

‍

Key Differences Between Quartz and Granite Countertops

Material Makeup

Quartz: Quartz countertops are also known as engineered stone countertops. They are manufactured surfaces that contain up to 93–95% natural quartz, with a small amount of other minerals and colorants added. The binder that holds it all together consists of a portion of an extremely durable resin.

Granite: Granite countertops are 100% natural stone. The stone is cut from the earth, polished, and installed in your home with no man-made materials added.

Maintenance Requirements

Quartz: Quartz countertops require little maintenance. The resin in quartz creates a non-porous surface, so sealing is not necessary. Sometimes the caulking along the bottom edge where your countertop meets the wall may need to be reapplied, but otherwise, quartz surfaces require minimal maintenance.

Granite: Granite countertops require more maintenance. They need to be sealed annually to keep their porous surface from absorbing stains and scratches. Cleaning is also necessary, and abrasive all-purpose cleaners should be avoided. Granite is a low-maintenance product of sorts, but by no means a no-maintenance product.

‍

Design Options

Quartz: Quartz has a wide design variability. It is available in various colors, patterns, and finishes. It comes in the form of prefabricated and custom slabs. The patterns are not separately swirled as in the case of granite but are usually uniformly developed, except that some complex and unique designs appear in swirled colors. In this way, any type of edge you want onin the countertop can be cut.

Granite: With granite, you get what nature makes. Yes, most granites are truly unique and come in many colors and patterns. This can mean that to get a particular look, it may be necessary to go through several slabs of granite before finding an "ideal" match. The edges of granite countertops can also be decorated in a variety of ways.

‍‍

Which Countertop Material is Best?

Appearance

Quartz: Quartz can be made to fit any kitchen style, from rich, deep colors to light, contemporary patterns. It is man-made, so the possibilities are almost endless. Quartz can even be engineered to look like granite or marble, or the fabricator can create a unique design.

Granite: Granite has an inherent naturalness that is difficult to replicate. Due to the geological processes responsible for its formation, each slab is unique. Veining and patterns vary from one slab to the next, and colors and overall patterns vary depending on the origin of the stone. It can range from relatively simple to quite complex.

Maintenance and Care

Quartz: Quartz is virtually maintenance-free. Non-porous surfaces resist dirt, moisture, and stains. The resin makes it resistant to scratches and chips. Standard all-purpose cleaners are usually sufficient for maintenance.

Granite: Although granite is considered somewhat low-maintenance, it does require annual sealing to prevent stains. However, the hardness of the surface is naturally resistant to scratches and chips. Gentle cleaning with soap and water is recommended, avoiding harsh chemicals to avoid damaging the porous nature of the stone.

Lifespan

Quartz: Most manufacturers of quartz countertops are so confident in the durability of their product that they offer a 10-year to lifetime warranty on their product. Quartz countertops are designed to last as long as the homes where they are used.
Granite: Like other natural stones, the life expectancy of granite countertops is approximately 100 years. This is not the life expectancy of the granite itself, but its usefulness in your kitchen, because as a natural stone, it can exist for millions of years. In your kitchen, however, it may not, and its life expectancy depends largely on good care and maintenance.

Repair

Quartz: Quartz countertops are manufactured to be uniform and dense in structure. They can be repaired if they are damaged by chips, scratches, or cracks. Professionals can buff out scratches or chips or fill themIn the event of damage—chips, scratches, or cracks—they can be repaired. Professionals can buff out scratches or chips or fill chips and cracks with color-matched resins. Do-it-yourself repairs are not recommended.

Granite: While granite resists most scratches and abrasions, its porous nature makes it susceptible to stains. Deep damage can be professionally repaired like that described above for quartz. Special cleaners are available to remove stains from granite.

Cost

Quartz: Quartz countertops start at about $80 per square foot. On average, the cost of quartz countertops ranges from $110 to $150 per square foot installed, depending on the complexity of the design.

Granite: Generally considered a high-end product, it costs about $130 per square foot installed. Prices vary widely depending on the difficulty of quarrying, shipping, availability, and market demand, among other factors, with material costs ranging from $80 to $180 per square foot.

Installation

Quartz and granite: Both materials have heavy units that require precision cuts and seams to fit perfectly and require professional installation. This is a job that requires specialized equipment and expertise to ensure a seamless and secure fit.

Water and Heat Resistance

Quartz: Resins in quartz prevent moisture from penetrating the surface, but high heat can damage it. Always use hot pads when placing hot pans on a quartz countertop.

Granite: Properly sealed, granite can be fairly impervious to both water and temperature; however, some sealers may not be as friendly to extremely high temperatures. Use caution when placing hot items directly on it.

Environmental Impact

Quartz: It is possible to quarry quartz locally. This reduces the environmental impact of transportation to some extent. However, the use of chemical resins in its manufacture calls into question its overall environmental friendliness.

Granite: Because granite is quarried at its source, it often has to be transported from great distances. The material has no synthetic elements in its composition, but the energy used in quarrying and transportation is significant.

Resale Value

Quartz: When it comes to resale value, quartz has always been considered inferior to granite. This has begun to change, probably because quartz is easier to maintain and the designs are more aesthetically pleasing.

Granite: With a resale value of approximately 25% of its retail cost, granite countertops are one of the most profitable investments you can make in your home. However, this will not significantly increase the resale price of your home.

‍

Conclusion: Which Should You Choose?

If you are looking for a natural product and do not mind a little maintenance, it is a good choice. However, for those who prefer durability with low maintenance and a variety of style options, quartz countertops may be a better choice. Consider your budget, style preferences, and level of maintenance tolerance when weighing your options between quartz and granite countertops.

‍

Best Brands

Here are a few highly respected brands for both quartz and granite:

Quartz

• Silestone
• Cambria
• Caesarstone

Granite

• AGM
• Daltile
• Levantina

‍

FAQ

Is quartz better than granite?

It depends on what you are going for. Quartz is easier to maintain and comes with more design options. Granite is natural and offers a more distinctive, unique look.

Is quartz less expensive than granite?

Quartz is usually less expensive than most high-end granites. However, the price ranges overlap according to the quality of products and design intricacy.

Do quartz countertops need to be sealed?

No, quartz countertops do not need sealing; therefore, they are considered low maintenance.

Can you place hot pans directly on granite or quartz?

Granite can handle heat better than quartz, but again, the use of hot pads can prevent potential damage to either the surface or any sealants that may be applied to it.

How long will quartz and granite countertops last?

Though quartz makers give longer warranties, it is still possible to achieve a lifetime with both quartz and granite countertops.

‍