Quartz vs. Granite Countertop Comparison Guide
Choosing a countertop material for your bathroom or kitchen countertops can be a difficult decision. There are many options to consider along with weighing the pros and cons of each. Most importantly, your decision should be influenced by the space, function and appearance you expect from your countertops.
This guide is aimed to help you decide between two popular stone countertop materials: quartz countertops vs. granite countertops. Many people find themselves choosing between the two because of their durability and appealing characteristics; however, quartz and granite have distinct differences that you should consider in your decision including:
- Composition makeup
- Physical Characteristics
- Design and Aesthetics
- Cost
- Maintenance
Composition Makeup
Quartz Countertops
Quartz is an engineered stone material, meaning it is a modified stone produced by combining quartz particles with resins. This gives stone manufacturers the ability to manipulate the composition makeup and create more modernized slabs. The colors, patterns and veining can be intentionally made and duplicated, creating greater consistency in the finished countertop surface.
Granite Countertops
Granite is a natural stone. It is an igneous rock formed within the Earth through magma that has cooled and solidified. This creates granite that is quarried into slabs for all different purposes.
The mineral makeup in granite slabs can vary greatly, depending on its origin and how it formed. In general, slabs are made up of a mixture of mostly quartz and alkali feldspar, along with other minerals. This causes each slab to be truly one-of-a kind.
Physical Characteristics
Quartz Countertops
Its nonporous quality makes quartz stain-resistant and relatively maintenance free. Quartz is highly durable, providing optimal performance when used for countertops or other applications. If you’re looking for a hassle-free countertop, quartz is the ideal choice.
Granite Countertops
Granite is one of the first stones used for a countertop material because it offers many attractive traits for countertop use. It is an extremely hard and durable stone that makes it ideal for high-traffic areas. It is highly heat, scratch and stain resistant when given the proper maintenance. Perhaps one of its only limitations is its ability to crack under intense pressure.
Overall, granite is a great choice for nearly any application, especially countertops. It has been used in home remodels for many years, serving as a practical surface and maintaining continued popularity as stone countertop trends continue to evolve.
Design and Aesthetics
Quartz Countertops
To know which countertop is best for you, you should have an idea of the aesthetic you are aiming to achieve. The composition of these stone materials creates distinct differences in terms of looks. Because quartz is a man-made stone, it can be designed to resemble the look of just about any natural stone or color. If you’re looking for a countertop that resembles a stone such as marble or concrete without the additional upkeep of these materials, quartz is the stone for you.
Quartz slabs can be uniform, providing a consistent appearance. However, if you’re wanting a custom countertop design, quartz can be manufactured to fit your design preferences. This gives quartz an advantage over natural stones such as granite.
Granite Countertops
Granite is known to add value and aesthetic appeal to your home. It contributed to the stone countertop trend, combining functionality with beauty. These qualities have made it an appealing countertop to many homeowners and designers over the years.
You may recognize granite by its renowned speckled look. This is common in most granites and develops during the formation process. Patterns and veining vary slab by slab, so it’s important to pick out your slab by hand to ensure it fits your design preferences. The majority of granite slabs come in natural colorways such as beige, brown, gray, or black, but can sometimes be found with blue or gold hues.
Cost
Quartz Countertops
Granite Countertops
Granite countertops can vary in price, ranging from $40-$100 per sq. ft. on average. Some granites are pricier than others, depending on their composition makeup, origin, rarity and cost to quarry. The finish and edge profile fabricated on your granite can also impact the final cost.
Maintenance
Quartz Countertops
Quartz countertops are favored because they require little to no maintenance. Quartz is a nonporous stone that does not require a sealant because its surface cannot be penetrated by liquids. Therefore, it is naturally stain- and spill-resistant. The only maintenance necessary for quartz is removing any dust or debris when necessary, using a stone-intended polisher to keep your countertop clean and shiny.
Granite Countertops
Granite countertops require regular maintenance depending on their function. Granite is a porous stone, so liquids can easily seep into the surface and cause staining or etching. This is why a sealant is necessary for granite countertops and should be reapplied at least once a year as it wears with use. A proper sealant can help minimize the amount of maintenance needed for granite countertops.
In addition, taking preventative measures such as promptly wiping messes from the surface and using trivets or cutting boards will help prevent stains or other blemishes from occurring. Acidic substances can be especially harmful, so you should avoid these from coming into contact with your granite surface. For best practices, you should clean your granite daily with warm soap and a nonabrasive cloth, as well as polish your granite countertops frequently to keep them looking good as new.
Use Granite and Marble Designs for your Quartz or Granite Countertop Fabrication and Installation
Granite and Marble Designs offers the best fabrication and installation of quartz and granite countertops in Denver. We will educate you on quartz and granite countertops so that you can make a well-informed decision. Our state-of-the-art CNC machinery and dedicated team of in-house fabricators are able to meticulously cut and polish your stone for a clean and flawless product. Our mission is to achieve customer satisfaction through excellent service and delivering a consistently high-quality product every time.
Our showroom brings all the quartz brands to you so that you can compare all of the best brands in one place. We also offer a select inventory of granite slabs and remnants in our warehouse, and we work with all granite suppliers to get your granite at wholesale cost. If we do not have the exact slab you are looking for, we can help get it for you.
Request an appointment to visit our showroom or call 303-551-6000 to get started on your quartz or granite countertop design, fabrication and installation.