C&C at Home :: Quartz vs Granite Countertops

I had a sweet friend text me last night after reading my latest post about the different types of granite countertops available. She said that she and her husband are wanting to redo a few things in their kitchen, including updating their counters. {YAY!} She said she’s been asked why granite, why not quartz? So I told her I would write a post today for her and anyone else asking that question!

The easy answer is both options are durable, can be comparable in price and offer a range of colors from which to choose. One isn’t necessarily better than the other, a lot of it comes down to your specific preferences. You cannot go wrong with either granite or quartz countertops.

Now…let’s get down to the specifics.

Quartz vs Granite :: How are they made?

Quartz is man-made of actual quartz, resins and polymers. It is a harder material than granite and is thus more durable. However, it doesn’t like heat as much as granite, and so you would want to be sure to use a pot holder or trivet to protect these counters. That also doesn’t mean you get a free pass to putting steaming hot pots on your granite! Continued use could end up staining even the most durable of granites.

Granite is formed in the earth’s crust – the result of cooling lava composed of minerals {you didn’t know a science lesson was included in this post, did you ;)} The raw granite is mined from quarries, many of which are in Brazil. What you may see in a showroom is a rough slab that once chosen, is then cut to exact size for your kitchen.

Quartz vs Granite :: Quality test

Both are stain resistant, not stain proof – note that over time any counter top can succumb to staining, especially with red wines, oils and juices {think citrus juices}. Granite can easily be sealed, and most suppliers recommend re-sealing every few years to keep the counters looking nice and maintaining their integrity.

To protect the beautiful sheen or shine, never cut meat, vegetables, etc. directly on quartz or granite. Always use a cutting board or mat. Though both stones are extremely durable and do not crack or chip easily, they could scratch from continued cutting. Not to mention you could run the chance of dulling the blade on your knives.

white cabinets with a hood vent and gas range. showing a granite called dallas white, along with a white subway tile. — This is a kitchen renovation we did in 2019, using a granite called Dallas White. It is very beautiful, but also very busy, with a lot of movement.

Quartz vs Granite :: Which is more expensive?

My initial response is ‘depends on your supplier’ 🙂 Honestly, some of the expense or cost, can depend on the availability of your choice. If you’re looking at a stone that is very popular and the supplier has many slabs, you can get that at a lower cost usually {think supply and demand}. If you’re looking for a particular pattern in either quartz or granite, that your supplier may not have, it may cost a bit more for him to order it specifically for you. Wherever you live, I would get a few different quotes on whatever option you’re looking at choosing. Also, if your timeframe for installation is flexible, you may be able to get a discount as well. Always ask for the “friends and family rate” – you never know.

Quartz vs Granite :: Which is your favorite?

As I mentioned at the beginning of this post, with regard to quality, there are a lot of similarities among quartz and granite. So when asking yourself, your spouse or a friend why this and not the other, you’re really asking the question, “which one is prettier?” Or “which one coordinates with the overall look of your kitchen?”
If you want an expensive look, girl, you can spend some money on both granite and quartz – they each have expensive-looking options. If you’re looking for a particular color, you can find a litany of colors in both countertop options.

I almost always use granite on our kitchen renovations. In the area where we live, there are more color variations of granite available, and I know the ones I like the most {I see you Alaska White…}. With quartz, I use it especially when I want a marble look. If you don’t know, marble is much more susceptible to staining, scratching and scuffing, so don’t use it as a countertop in your kitchen. If you want a marble look, go Venato White. It is gorgeous.