Quartz vs Granite Countertops
Pros & Cons of Quartz vs Granite
You’ve been researching the internet for which material of countertop would work best for your kitchen. If you’ve narrowed it down to either quartz or granite, both of these choices are great. Now you’re ready to make the final decision. In this article, we will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of both stones.
Granite Countertops
Granite Countertop Advantages
+ Granite Durability
The number one top benefit of choosing granite for your bathroom or kitchen countertops is its durability. Granite resists chips and scratches like no other natural stone available. Granite is the second most durable natural stone in the world next to diamond. Keep in mind, you should still always use a cutting board with sharp knives as there is a possibility of damage.
++ Granite Is Affordable
How much do granite countertops cost? Granite is surprisingly very affordable. Prices range from $40 a square foot to $200, including installation costs. This range of cost takes into consideration the thickness of the granite and the grade.
++ Granite Is Heat Resistant
Granite is formed by heat and pressure so naturally, it is high-heat friendly. No more rushing around looking for a pot holder or countertop space for your hot pans. In fact, granite is heat resistant up to 450 degrees.
+ Granite Is Stain Resistant
With proper sealing, granite is stain-resistant. What this does NOT mean is liquid and food spills can be ignored and should still be wiped up immediately with water and a mild detergent
Granite Countertop Disadvantages
– Granite Requires Sealant
Granite is porous and needs to be resealed on an annual basis. A poorly-sealed granite countertop will absorb liquids, and grease, and can also house bacteria in its pores.
Do granite countertops need to be sealed?
– Granite Can Crack
You might be confused because up above, we made a point to say that granite is extremely durable. If a heavy or sharp object hits the granite, there is still a risk of chipping. The good news, it is repairable. Midwest Marble & Granite offers expert granite repair services and can restore your granite countertops back to new again.
– Granite Can Be Expensive
There are 3 different levels of granite and the cost can vary depending on the grade. Level 1 (Low-Grade Granite), Level 2 (Mid-Grade Level), and Level 3 +(High-Grade Granite). The grade of the granite slab can be determined by colors, veins, pitting, marking, thickness, the number of soft materials it has, and the country where it was quarried.
– Granite Has Limited Style & Color Options
Granite is a beautiful stone, each slab has a slightly different mineral pattern and color making each slab truly unique. If you truly want the look of natural stone, then choose granite for your kitchen countertops. This made the decision to place granite style & color options in the disadvantages section.
* To learn more about granite, visit our Ultimate Guide to Granite Countertops.
Granite (+) Scale Rating: 6 | Granite (-) Scale Rating: 4
Quartz Countertops
While granite-look quartz materials still ply the market in huge numbers, quartz that looks like nothing else is an increasingly popular segment.
Quartz Countertop Advantages
++ Quartz Durability
Quartz is actually harder than granite and thus, more durable. In fact, quartz is nearly indestructible.
+ Quartz Is Heat Resistant
While a quartz countertop is extremely heat resistant, it can be damaged or scorched if exposed to too much heat. They can only withstand heat up to 150-180 degrees.
++ Quartz Is Stain Resistant
Quartz is extremely stain-resistant but not stain-free. With that said, it is still very difficult to stain quartz countertops. Food substances such as turmeric or food dyes may cause moderate to very faint staining on quartz countertops.
+ + Quarz Comes In Multiple Styles & Color Options
As it is manmade, engineered quartz can come in almost any color and stone-like pattern style you can image. From traditional and minimalist whites, browns, grays, and blacks to more vibrant and funky colors such as teal, burnt orange, red, and greens – there isn’t a home-style personality that quartz can’t compliment.
Visit our online quartz color catalog to see for yourself.
+ No Sealant Required
Quartz is an engineered stone. Its composition is of 90-95% quartz crystals, the rest is made out of resins that bind the particles together making the surface non-porous. This composition means it doesn’t require sealing.
Quartz Countertop Disadvantages
– – Quartz Is Slightly More Expensive
Overall, quartz countertops typically cost more than natural stone countertops due to their durability but still are able to compete with the cost of granite.
– Quartz Has Noticeable Seams
Depending on the color and style, it can be more difficult to disguise the steams where two slabs meet, especially with light color quartz countertops. Darker colors can help, but they’re still more noticeable than they are with granite.
– Quartz Is Not Recommended For Outdoor Use
Unfortunately, quartz countertops are recommended for indoor use only. The main reason is that the resins that bind the countertops can fade or discolor in direct sunlight. In fact, this can happen even indoors beside a sunny window. Granite, slate, and other natural stone countertops are a much better fit for your outdoor living spaces.
* To learn more about quartz, visit our Ultimate Guide to Quartz Countertops.
Granite (+) Scale Rating: 8 | Granite (-) Scale Rating: 4
Still Deciding Between Quartz & Granite?
If you have questions about the difference between quartz and granite and which stone might benefit your living space best, call us at 913.486.2247 or schedule a design consultation online.
Midwest Marble + Granite + Quartz is located in Olathe, KS but provides expert quartzite countertop installation services to Overland Park, Lenexa, Shawnee, Leawood, Shawnee, and the entire Kansas City area.
