When choosing kitchen countertops, selecting between Granite and Quartz is one of the crucial decisions one can make for their kitchen. The countertop enhances the aesthetic of your kitchen, which also needs to stand strong and provide long-term value to your home. The most dominant choice is between granite vs quartz countertops, both of which are popular, stunning, and durable.
So, which kitchen countertop material is best for your kitchen? This guide will help you compare the two based on cost, durability, resistance, and other influential factors.
What are Quartz and Granite?
Before getting onto the comparisons, let us explore what each material truly is:
What is Quartz?
Quartz is an engineered stone made from 90-95% crushed natural quartz, with a mixture of resins and pigments. Such a manufacturing process provides the stone with a modern visual appearance, consistent pattern, and superior resistance to staining.
What is Granite?
Granite is made of 100% natural stone quarried from the Earth. After extraction, the large slabs are cut into pieces, polished, and sealed. Granite slabs can never be alike, making it a preferable choice for homeowners who like artistic, bold, and uniquely patterned surfaces.
Granite vs Quartz Differences: A Quick Overview
Granite vs Quartz Countertops: What makes both of them different from each other? Here’s a quick comparison:
| Feature | Granite | Quartz |
| Material Type | 100% natural | Approximately 90% natural, with a mixture of quartz crystals and resins |
| Durability | Highly durable and porous | Extremely durable and non-porous |
| Heat Resistance | High | Moderate |
| Stain Resistance | Medium | Excellent |
| Scratch Resistance | High | Extreme |
| Apparance | No two slabs are identical. Comes with natural and unique patterns | Like patterns with customizable colors |
| Cost | Moderate to premium (depending on slab thickness and availability) | Moderate to premium (based on marble and patterns) |
| Environmental Impact | Requires quarrying, affecting the environment. No chemicals or resins are added. | Made with natural quartz and man-made resins. Comes with recycling options as well and produces low waste due to engineered production. |
Dive into exploring each feature of Quartz and Granite in detail.
1. Visually Appealing: Modern Aesthetic vs Natural Beauty
Quartz
Quartz offers a range of design options, allowing you to choose elegant, subtle, and uniform patterns. As it is a manufactured stone, it comes in solid colors, marble-like patterns, fine-grain textures, and glossy & matte finishes. It is an ideal choice for those who prefer simple, modern, and contemporary kitchens.
Granite
Granite’s no slabs are identical. They naturally come with unique designs, resembling a piece of art. The slab’s design looks similar to flowing veins, mineral speckles, and natural variations with organic movements. They are ideal for traditional, luxurious, and rustic interiors, working best as a statement countertop.
2. Quartz Countertops vs Granite Durability
Quartz Durability
Quartz is popularly known for its durability, which is ideal for everyday use because of the resins that help in binding the stone. They are harder and more flexible than granite, being extremely resistant to cracks, stains, and scratches. The stone is non-porous, but prolonged exposure to heat can damage the resins.
Granite Durability
Granite is extremely tough but can be porous if not sealed properly. They are highly scratch and heat-resistant. However, the slab’s chip can slightly break off if any hard object, such as a pressure cooker, heavy pot, or pan, hits it.
3. Heat Resistance
Quartz
Quartz can handle moderate heat well. However, if it is exposed to extreme heat for a long time, then it can discolor the resin. It is recommended to use hotpads or trivets with Quartz.
Granite
Granite is naturally heat-resistant as it is formed by intense heat and pressure under the Earth’s surface. They can withstand hot pans or pots without any damage.
4. Scratch and Stain Resistance
Quartz
Quartz is naturally stain-proof due to its non-porous characteristic. Meanwhile, it resists scratches well and retains its polish longer than granite.
Granite
Granite is porous in nature, which cannot clear stains if they aren’t cleaned quickly. Wine, juices, and oils can seep in easily, especially when the seal is worn.
5. Maintenance
Quartz Maintenance
One of the biggest advantages of having a Quartz countertop is that it needs zero maintenance. Its non-porous nature requires no sealing or polishing. The spills can be removed with mild cleaning, and the Quartz surface is resistant to mold & bacteria.
Granite Maintenance
Depending on the slab type and usage, the Granite requires sealing once every 1-2 weeks. It is not a time-consuming process but requires consistent and frequent maintenance.
6. Granite vs Quartz Cost Comparison?
With characteristics, cost is also a major factor in choosing a kitchen countertop.
Quartz Countertop Cost
The Quartz countertop can cost slightly more, as it is man-made, and can range from $60 to $150 per square foot, depending on quality and design.
Granite Countertop Cost
The Granite countertop cost ranges from $55 to $85 per square foot, depending on the slab’s rarity and grade.
What are the factors affecting the kitchen countertop price between Quartz and Granite?
The following are the reasons that can contribute to the kitchen countertop cost:
- The premium quality of slabs or customized design of Quartz surfaces.
- Sink cutouts, cutting, edges, and labor.
- Transportation of heavy stone slabs inside the city.
- Replacing the new countertop with the old one.
- Consistent maintenance.
7. Environmental Impact
Quartz
Quartz kitchen countertops are man-made, and their manufacturing process is energy-intensive. It involves high-heat curing, crushed stone blending, resin binding, high-pressure, and polishing. They are formed using 90% quartz and 5-10% resins, polymers, and pigments, with resin production introducing petrochemicals.
Granite
Granite is a 100% natural stone, which requires quarrying, cutting, and polishing. The manufacturing process, such as quarrying, can disrupt the landscape, while cutting and polishing require high water use.
Both Granite and Quartz are the best countertop materials for the kitchen in their own ways, and choosing the best one depends on your design, lifestyle, and preferences. Choose granite if you prefer a kitchen countertop made of natural stone, slightly affordable, highly heat-resistant, and offers unique patterns. On the other hand, you can choose Quartz if you want to go for modern & premium design looks, zero maintenance, and extreme stain & scratch resistance.
FAQs
- Which is better for a kitchen countertop: Granite or Quartz?
Ans: Both Granite and Quartz are better for the kitchen countertop. It depends on the preference. People looking for natural materials with a unique design can choose Granite, while those seeking a modern look with easy maintenance can choose Quartz.
- Is it difficult to maintain Granite?
Ans: Maintaining Granite is not challenging; it just requires sealing every 1-2 years and consistent mild cleaning.
- Can Quartz lose its color over time?
Ans: Yes, direct exposure to sunlight and high heat can cause Quartz discoloration. It is recommended to avoid direct exposure to heat for long-term use.
- Can Granit chip easily?
Ans: Though Granite is strong, its edges can chip if struck with any heavy object.
- Which countertop material has better resale value?
Ans: Quartz often has the best resale value in the market due to its sleek finish and low maintenance.