In the debate of countertop materials for kitchens, the topic of granite vs quartz comes up a lot. Granite tends to be the standard for top tier countertop materials. Being 100% natural, and just chipped down into a smaller piece, granite makes for a truly magnificent material. No two pieces of granite are alike. Quartz, on the other hand, is 95% natural, with a far more customizable background. While both materials can be on the pricier side, quartz usually ends up costing just a little bit more to be installed.
“The block of granite which was an obstacle in the pathway of the weak, became a stepping-stone in the pathway of the strong.” - Thomas Carlyle
Pros and Cons
Each material has its own merit, and it essentially comes down to what you want your countertops to be able to do.
When it comes to granite vs quartz countertops pros and cons there are certainly a lot of points to keep in mind. If you’re going for look or style alone, granite should do the trick, and if you’re going for customization, quartz will certainly work.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Granite Pros
- Lifetime guarantee
- Resistant to most damage
- Can use for food prep
- 100% natural
- Quartz Pros
- Does not need to be sealed
- Flawless stone material
- Usually easier to repair
- Granite Cons
- Acid can damage the material
- Needs to be sealed regularly
- Red wine can stain granite
- Quartz Cons
- Not 100% natural
- Can be on the pricier side
- May contain trace amounts of radon
Consumer Reports
According to this quartz vs granite countertops Consumer Reports article, the real difference between quartz and granite is as simple as the differences between engineered stone and the natural look.
In essence, engineered stone is more practical, but can look the same as other pieces. Natural stone will always be unique, and no two granite countertops will ever look the same.
Keep in mind:
While both materials will survive the cutting knife, hot pot, or random spill, quartz actually outperforms granite. This is due to its waterproof abilities, resistance to acidic foods, and the fact that quartz if far more easily repaired. Contrastly, granite is fairly brittle when it breaks. While both materials are long lasting and can take damage, quartz is usually easier to work with.
Material Analysis
Because the materials are made from stone, but one is natural and the other man-made, both granite and quartz have different properties.
Granite is a porous material and therefore attempts to absorb liquids. Hence, it is prone to staining and acidic damage. Quartz is not, and is in fact completely waterproof.
There’s more:
On the other end of the spectrum, when it comes to quartz vs granite heat resistance both materials are comparable and able to withstand high temperatures. You can put hot pots or pans directly onto the surface.
Maintenance
Out of the two, granite actually requires slightly more maintenance due to the fact that it need to be resealed regularly. Otherwise it is very resistant to stains. Quartz requires next to nothing in terms of maintenance. You’ll never have to seal or reseal quartz.
Keep in mind:
Should either material become damaged, an epoxy resin can fix it under a professional eye. In any case there are other fixes that you can make for your countertops.
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