Choosing which stone to opt for while renovating a kitchen or bathroom can be burdensome.
After all, you will have to live with this decision for the foreseeable future as this is not something that routinely changes. Therefore, assessing all of the pros and cons to ensure the best fit for your needs and the needs of your house is essential.
Two of the most popular choices for countertops are quartz and granite, thanks to their durability and attractive looks. Granite is a natural stone available in many colors and patterns depending on where it is quarried.
Although natural quartz can also be mined in its raw form, it is considered an engineered stone because its surface is made up of crushed quartz mixed with resin and pigments to ensure durability and longevity.
If you are trying to decide between the two, continue reading for the ultimate quartz vs. granite guide.
The Durability of Quartz vs. Granite
Quartz and granite countertops are incredibly popular as they are durable and long-lasting. Granite is considered the hardest natural stone and can resist cracking and chipping. Furthermore, it is resistant to heat and other natural factors in a kitchen. However, as it is a natural stone, it is porous. Therefore, it needs to be sealed before you can ever use it.
Afterward, you need to make sure to seal it yearly to ensure longevity and pristine condition.
Quartz is an engineered stone. Consequently, it is harder and stronger than natural stones. Not only that, quartz is almost impossible to destroy. Moreover, it isn’t porous and doesn’t need to be sealed. In other words, it has a surface resistant to staining. Heat is its weakness, so never place hot pans on your quartz countertops.
Quartz vs. Granite Appearance
Quartz and granite are similar in the variety of their color selection. Both of these stones are available in many colors and patterns. Granite is formed by cooled and solidified molten materials.
Therefore, it can naturally occur in many different colors and patterns with a wide variety; no two granite slabs are the same. The only downside of this is that as it is a natural stone, you will have to search for one that fits the color palette and style you are looking for.
On the other hand, quartz is manufactured. It is much easier to access slabs with different colors and patterns as they can be made anywhere. This availability is one of the reasons why quartz became so popular in the last years because there is a style and pattern for everyone.
Quartz vs. Granite Price
When deciding which stone best fits your house, price is one of the most important factors to consider. Granite countertops, in general, have a more affordable price tag compared to quartz.
Furthermore, the difference between granite and quartz is that you can save some more money by doing some preliminary work by yourself. Therefore, the already lower cost of granite can be lowered even more. On the other hand, because quartz is an engineered stone, it is heavier than its counterpart.
Therefore, a professional installer must install it to ensure your kitchen countertops are structurally sound.
Although granite has a lower price tag upfront, one of the cons of granite is that it needs to be resealed yearly. In other words, when discussing the overall price, other factors such as the installation, edge treatments, and resealing should also be considered, not just the price of the stone itself.
Quartz vs. Granite Installation
The installation process for both of these stones should be left to a professional as they are both weighty and hard-to-handle materials. Furthermore, detailing, such as cutting the hole for the sink, is a task that requires professional expertise and tools.
Quartz and granite are installed in slabs and can be customized to fit into your chosen space. A quartz or granite slab is weighty.
Therefore, the cabinets underneath need to be structurally sound to be able to carry the weight. Furthermore, if the cabinets aren’t leveled, they need to be leveled before the installation to provide a flat surface for the countertop.
None of these are easy tasks, so it’s better to leave them to a professional to ensure the longevity of your countertops, as improperly installed countertops won’t last you nearly as long.
Which is Easier to Clean, Granite or Quartz?
As mentioned, granite is porous. A stone being porous means that there are microscopic little holes all over the stone. Whenever a liquid or food is spilled onto a porous stone, some particles sink into it and are impossible to clean out because of the small holes.
These particles cause stains, discoloration, bacterial growth, and mold as time passes. That is the reason why sealing granite is a must before using it. The sealing process includes covering the stone with polymer resins to ensure the spills can’t seep into the stone to cause the aforementioned negative effects.
Quartz is an engineered stone and doesn’t need to be sealed. As long as granite is adequately sealed, both of the countertop materials are very easy to clean, which is one of the most prominent pros for homeowners. You don’t need any special products or tools to clean either of them.
In fact, the best cleaning solution for quartz and granite is something you already have at home: dish soap or mild soap mixed with room-temperature water. Wiping the surface down with this solution and drying it with a soft dry cloth is enough for daily cleaning.
As long as your granite is sealed correctly or the quartz is high quality and well made, there is no chance of either stone getting stained, discolored, or growing any bacteria or mold.
Granite vs. Quartz Countertops Pros and Cons
Quartz Countertop Pros and Cons
- Quartz is very versatile and can be cut into whichever shape you want, which is especially handy if you are looking for counters with the sink integrated into the slab.
- Quartz is stronger and less brittle than granite. Furthermore, it is less prone to stains and scratches.
- One of the few cons of quartz is that it isn’t highly resistant to heat compared to some other alternatives.
- Quartz is available in many colors and styles. Furthermore, it has a more uniform coloring and texture than natural stones, which fits into certain aesthetic designs better than natural stones’ unique and unexpected designs.
Related Read: Marble vs Quartz – What is the Difference?
Granite Countertops Pros and Cons
- It is more affordable than quartz. This is an excellent bonus for renewing your kitchen on a budget.
- It is very low maintenance, especially compared to other natural stones.
- Granite is extremely durable and long-lasting. This ensures that with the proper care, it can last you a lifetime.
- Unlike quartz, granite is heat resistant.
- One of the most prominent cons of granite is that it has the potential to stain or scratch. As the resin layer fades over time, its protectiveness also depreciates. Therefore be especially careful when the surface of your countertops starts to lose its shine, as that indicates your countertops need a reseal.
Conclusion
All in all, quartz and granite are fantastic for any homeowner as they provide chic beauty and long-lasting durability. Both of these stones have specific quirks that need attention to ensure that they can protect their pristine condition for as long as possible.
Before making a choice, it is best to make a list of what you consider must-haves and must-avoid attributes for kitchen countertops. Afterward, compare that to the list of pros and cons of both stones and see which one checks off your list the most.
FAQ
Does quartz scratch easier than granite?
Quartz does not scratch easier than granite. In fact, it has a higher scratch resistance than granite. Minor scratches can happen to granite countertops and can be easily fixed with epoxy or resin. However, larger cracks should be left to professionals to ensure the safety of the stone.
