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Quartz vs Granite: Which is Better? (2024)
- Ruy Barbosa
Deciding between quartz and granite countertops for your home improvement project can be a confusing decision.
Both are beautiful, durable, and functional options whether you’re planning a kitchen renovation,
bathroom remodel,
or just looking to upgrade your kitchen counter.
This guide will outline the details of each to help you choose the right type of countertop for you.
What to consider when choosing the right countertop material:
- The overall look and feel of your kitchen or bathroom. You want it to reflect your personal style.
- Improving the functionality of your space, making it easier to prepare meals or complete daily tasks.
- Different levels of durability. Choosing the right material can ensure that your countertops will last for years, even decades.
- Resistance to stains, scratches, and heat. The maintenance to keep it looking new can vary.
- Repair options if the surface is stained, scratched, or chipped.
- Adding value to your home. Potential buyers want high-quality materials such as quartz and granite.
- Many different countertop cost options to stay within your budget.
Comparison of color and pattern options between quartz and granite
The design patterns of your countertop are called webbing, veining, speckling, or grain.
And different patterns provide different levels of movement and depth.
Quartz countertops:
Although quartz is more uniform in color and pattern throughout the slab, it offers a wide range of color options and can be customized to match specific styles.
It can be designed with solid colors, as well as patterns that look like natural stone.
Solid color quartz countertops are less expensive because less work is put into making them.
Granite countertops:
Granite comes in a variety of natural colors, including shades of white, black, brown, gray, and red; light-colored granite is harder to find.
Each slab of granite is unique, with its own natural pattern, so no two slabs of granite are ever alike.
Granite has grades, quartz does not. A thicker slab is considered a higher grade and therefore more durable.
Granite is a natural product so you can’t predict the patterns. You should go see it and pick out your slab in person.
Make sure you see the actual slab because of the possible pattern variations. Don’t just pick from a sample square.
Granite is porous and needs to be sealed. The sealant can give it a glossier look.
Some professional installers offer a ten-year seal at the factory.
Differences in material composition of quartz and granite
Quartz is an engineered stone made from natural quartz crystals, while granite is a natural stone formed from molten rock.
Engineered quartz countertops are typically made by combining ground quartz with resins, polymers, and pigments, while granite is 100% natural and does not contain any added materials.
Quartz has a more consistent and uniform appearance, while granite offers unique and varied patterns and colors.
Quartz is non-porous, so it does not require sealing and is resistant to stains, while granite is porous and needs periodic sealing to protect the solid surface.
Quartz is less heat-resistant than granite and may be damaged by high heat, while granite can withstand high temperatures with fewer issues.
Granite countertops offer a more natural look. Each slab is unique and showcases the beauty of natural stone.
Heat resistance of quartz and granite
Both Granite and Quartz are highly heat resistant, making each suitable for kitchens and bathrooms where hot objects may touch the surface.
Both quartz and granite can withstand temperatures up to 300 degrees Fahrenheit without being damaged.
Avoid placing extremely hot objects directly on the surface of quartz or granite to prevent any potential damage.
Use trivets or hot pads to protect the surface from direct heat exposure.
Regularly cleaning and maintaining the surfaces of quartz and granite will help preserve their heat resistance properties and overall durability.
Quartz and granite durability and resistance to cracks, scratches, and chips
Quartz and granite are both highly durable materials.
They’re resistant to cracks and chips, making them suitable for high-traffic areas.
Quartz and granite countertops can last for many years, even decades, without showing signs of wear and tear.
Both materials are highly resistant to scratches, although quartz may be slightly more prone to scratching than granite.
Use cutting boards to protect the surface from sharp objects.
Both quartz and granite offer excellent durability and resistance to scratches, making them great choices for kitchen and bathroom countertops.
As far as repairing, granite is a rock so it’s not easily damaged, but it’s also not easily repaired.
Maintenance and cleaning considerations for quartz and granite
Quartz and granite countertops are both low maintenance, but still require regular cleaning and care to keep them looking their best.
To clean quartz and granite countertops, use mild soap and water. Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive scrubbers, as they can damage the surface.
Clean up spills promptly to prevent them from seeping into the solid surface and causing damage, especially with granite.
Quartz countertops are more resistant to stains and scratches compared to granite.
Both are also stain-resistant, making them easy to clean and maintain.
Granite countertops require periodic sealing to maintain their natural beauty and protect against damage. The frequency of sealing depends on the type of granite and how often it’s used.
Both quartz and granite countertops should be protected from excessive heat. Avoid placing hot pots or pans directly on the surface, as it can potentially damage the countertop.
Avoid using abrasive materials or scrubbers on both quartz and granite countertops, as they can scratch the surface.
Cost comparison per square foot between quartz and granite
Cost depends on where quartz was manufactured or where granite was quarried. Both have to be transported and are very heavy.
Also, availability and popularity can impact cost.
If you have a small job, such as a wet bar, you can save money by purchasing a remnant, which is a leftover section of slab.
Quartz countertop cost is higher compared to granite, with prices ranging from $50 to $120 per square foot. However, high-end quartz options can be more expensive.
Granite countertop cost has a wider price range, starting around $40 per square foot and going up to $200 per square foot. The wider price range is caused by the availability and popularity of the granite slab, and its origin.
In General:
Regardless of whether you choose quartz or granite check with the manufacturer to see if they have a warranty for repairs.
Ask where the seams are going to be and if the pattern of the two pieces will look uniform.
Consider the condition of your cabinets before installing an expensive stone countertop over them.
If your cabinets are not level, ask the installers if they plan to use shims to level because this can look terrible. They should raise the cabinets from the bottom.
Make sure you know who is responsible: the contractor or the installer.
Summary of key points for quartz vs granite countertops
Quartz countertops are man-made, while granite countertops are natural stone.
Quartz countertops are more durable and resistant to stains.
Granite countertops are more heat resistant.
Granite countertops require regular sealing to maintain their durability, and stain resistance.
Quartz countertops are more uniform in appearance and offer a wide range of colors and patterns, including options that look like natural stone.
Granite countertops offer a unique and natural look with variations in color and pattern.
Quartz countertops are non-porous, making them more hygienic and resistant to bacteria.
Granite countertops are more affordable upfront but require additional maintenance costs over time.
Both quartz and granite countertops can increase the value of your home.
In Conclusion:
Countertops are an integral part of kitchen and bathroom design. Both quartz and granite are beautiful, durable, and increase the value of your home.
Both quartz and granite countertops can enhance the aesthetic appeal of a kitchen and increase its overall value.
Your choice of material should be based on your personal style, budget, how the countertop will be used, and your ability to maintain it.
Although there are pros and cons to quartz and granite, you can’t go wrong with either of them.
Boston Framers brings your home renovation ideas to life.
We’ll help you create a beautiful space that will increase the value of your home without breaking your budget.
For more information CONTACT US.
See our:
Ruy C. Barbosa
General Contractor
154 E Central St.
Natick MA 01760
CSL# 196308
Ruy C. Barbosa
General Contractor
154 E Central St.
Natick MA 01760
CSL# 196308