Granite vs Quartz Countertops: Pros, Cons & What To Consider - Colonial Marble & Granite (2024)

  • August 7, 2020
  • 11:44 am

A significant portion of planning your kitchen renovation is choosing countertop materials that meet your needs and budget. It is a huge decision, given itsimpact on the overall aestheticsand function of your kitchen. You can utilize many materials for unique kitchen countertops, but here, we’ll explore the most modern and practical options — granite vs. quartz countertops. Let’s take a closer look at each material’s pros and cons to help you decide which surface material is right for your lifestyle.

Pros, Cons & What To Know About Granite Countertops

Granite countertops are popular and in high demand due to their quality and durability. It is common for homeowners and design enthusiasts who prefer a solid stone material to choose granite for their countertops. These surfaces offer many unique colors and patterns as they come from pure, natural stone. The colors of granite range from earth tones to blues and greens and most often have a speckled appearance or wavelike design. Black tones tend to be the most popular color of granite on the market for kitchen countertops.

Granite slabs are a combination of interlocking mineral crystals, most commonly quartz and feldspar, that come from various quarries around the world. Each of the unique granite slabs we supply goes through a meticulous inspection and polishing process before they are ready for installation. Here are the pros and cons of granite countertops.

Pros Of Granite

Heat Resistance:Granite materials are known for their resistance to heat. You can even use them outdoors as these countertops can withstand extreme exposure to the sun without fading.

Nothing beats the real thing:Among natural surface materials like marble, granite is the most durable. Besides their aesthetic appeal, granite countertops tend to resist cracks and chips and are worthy investments that can last decades.

Cost:You get the beauty of a natural stone countertop for a slightly lower price. The prices between the two materials are close, with granite averaging around $50 per square foot. It depends on the quality and availability.

Cons Of Granite

Annual Maintenance:Maintaining your granite countertops requires you to spend a little more money and time to sustain its lifespan. Besides regular cleaning using soap and water, you should have yourcountertops resealed annually.

Harder to Clean:These stones are porous, which can make liquid spills harder to clean. They can also harbor bacteria, viruses, mold, and mildew if not properly cleaned.

Hardness:Granite is sturdy and the most durable of the natural stone surfaces. But compared to quartz, surfaces are a touch less resistant to chips, cracks, and scratches. Use caution when handling heavy or sharp objects near your granite countertops.

Pros, Cons & What To Know About Quartz Countertops

Quartz countertops are engineered stone that replicates natural stones and is made up of up to 90% quartz content. These surfaces are the result of crushed quartz combined with coloring pigment and bound by polymer resin. In contrast to granite’s color variations, quartz stones are more consistent.

We carry over300 styles of quartzfrom top manufacturers. Color variations range from white to black and everything in-between. Quartz designs are inspired by the natural movement of granite, the understated or dramatic veining of marble, the industrial feel and look of concrete, and its own unique patterns that make quartz so popular. When it comes to appearance, people who want the freedom to customize the design of their kitchen and bathroom often prefer quartz. The following are the pros and cons of quartz countertops.

Pros Of Quartz

Hygienic: Quartz is completely nonporous resulting in countertops that are more hygienic. They resist mold, mildew, bacteria, and viruses. They are also water-resistant, outperforming granite when used in wet locations such as wet bars, bathrooms, and showers.

More durable than natural stones:Quartz is harder compared to granite and other natural stones making it more durable and less susceptible to chipping.

Low Maintenance:Unlike granite, you do not need annual resealing to maintain your countertops due to quartz’s nonporous nature. Surfaces will simply need regular cleaning with soap and water. Harder stains will require more labor and different cleaners, however.

Cons Of Quartz

Heat Resistance:Unlike its counterpart, quartz can get damaged by excessive heat. It is important to place heating pads under hot pots on the counter to avoid this damage.

Not Suitable Outdoors:Quartz countertops cannot perform well for outdoor installations. The surfaces cannot handle extreme sunlight exposure. Too much sun can result in discolorations and fading.

Costs More:Quartz countertops can cost you a bit more depending on quality (beware of low-quality quartz when shopping around). The price of quartz per square foot ranges from $65 to $100.

Granite vs. Quartz Countertops Resale Value

If you are looking to increase your home’s resale value, granite countertops can raise it by up to 25%. Granite materials offer timeless beauty, with variations of unique patterns that make them stand out. Lenders initially notice these as an indicator of the quality of your home.

Quartz is also gaining popularity in the real estate market. If you choose to remodel your countertops with quartz, you can see a 3% to 7% increase in resale value.

Quartz vs. Granite Countertops Consumer Report

Consumer Reports conductedstain-resistance teststo determine the differences between performances of granite and quartz materials in countertops. The rigorous experiment consisted of applying drops of kitchen ingredients to the countertops and left for 20 hours.

The final decision depends on you. Now that you have learned granite vs quartz countertops pros and cons, it all boils down to your personal preference.Visit ourkitchen visualizer to pair your favorite countertop designs with cabinets, backsplashes, flooring, and appliance materials.

For more information check out our blog or contact our team!

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    Granite vs Quartz Countertops: Pros, Cons & What To Consider - Colonial Marble & Granite (2024)

    FAQs

    What is better, granite or marble or quartz? ›

    Quartz countertops are low-maintenance and durable, making them a great choice for busy households. Marble countertops are classic and elegant, but they are also porous and require regular sealing. Granite countertops are also elegant, and they are highly durable and easy to clean.

    What are the pros and cons of quartz and granite countertops? ›

    Conclusion. On the surface (pun intended), quartz appears to be the winner. It's easier to maintain, longer-lasting, more environmentally friendly and easy to customize. However, it can be pricey depending on the options you choose and the uniqueness of granite remains appealing to many.

    Why is granite not popular anymore? ›

    Everything from white granite and black granite countertops to granite slabs has fallen out of style. The second reason granite countertops have lost their appeal is that the preference for light, simple kitchens has replaced the trend of dark, warm kitchens. Designers quit wanting “movement” and instead wanted peace.

    Which has better resale value, granite or quartz? ›

    Quartz Countertops Resale Value. If you are looking to increase your home's resale value, granite countertops can raise it by up to 25%. Granite materials offer timeless beauty, with variations of unique patterns that make them stand out.

    What is the easiest countertop to maintain? ›

    The Best Countertop Materials for a Low-Maintenance Kitchen
    • Stainless Steel. Stainless steel is one of the easiest countertop materials to maintain. ...
    • Quartz. ...
    • Recycled Glass. ...
    • Laminate. ...
    • Soapstone. ...
    • Corian.
    Jun 9, 2021

    What lasts longer quartz or granite? ›

    Granite is often cited as the most durable natural countertop material and is known for resisting cracks and chips. However, as a manufactured material, quartz vs. granite rates slightly higher on the hardness scale and is somewhat more damage-resistant. You can clean both materials with mild soap and water.

    What is negative about granite countertops? ›

    They can be porous.

    A poorly-sealed countertop can also house bacteria in its pores. To avoid these issues, it important to get your countertop resealed on a yearly basis.

    What is negative about quartz countertops? ›

    Quartz can be more expensive than other countertops but is generally cheaper than natural stone and other luxury options. It does require professional installation and can discolor when exposed to high temperatures and extensive heat for long periods.

    Can you use Clorox wipes on granite? ›

    The reason you should avoid Clorox wipes on granite countertops is that they contain large amounts of citric acid. As citric acid is very strong, these ingredients can break down the sealant that is placed on the granite kitchen worktops which is there to protect it.

    Why do people not like granite countertops? ›

    Any granite that you purchase, no matter its source or its grade may have natural fissures or pits in its surface. Some of these are harmless; cosmetic cracks or small indentations in the stone. But others could actually weaken the structure and integrity of the countertop.

    Is granite out of style in 2024? ›

    The world of interior design is constantly evolving, especially when it comes to the kitchen. In this sense, the trend for the year 2024 is leaning towards the elegance and durability of natural stones. As a result, experts indicate that the trend points toward granite countertops as the protagonists.

    Why do people prefer quartz over granite? ›

    Quartz is Easier to Maintain than Granite

    This countertop achieves a high level of durability without any sealant. As opposed to Granite, which requires re-sealing each year to maintain a less superior guard against the common hot pan, spilled wine, and dirty hands. An easy to clean countertop is the new kitchen dream.

    Which countertop adds the most value? ›

    It comes in various patterns and colors, so you can find a style that fits your kitchen. Granite countertops are a great investment because they have a high return on investment. If you're considering selling your home in the future, granite countertops are an ideal way to increase your home's value.

    What's easier to maintain, quartz or granite? ›

    Quartz edges ahead of granite in this category. It requires almost zero maintenance because it is stain-resistant without needing to be re-sealed. While granite does not have this innate low-maintenance quality, sealing granite is easy.

    What countertop material is best? ›

    The most durable material for kitchen countertops is quartz. It's a great option for any kitchen, as quartz is resistant to scratches, stains, and heat, What is the easiest countertop material to maintain? There are various types of countertop materials that are easy to maintain including quartz, laminate, and steel.

    Which is more expensive, granite or quartz? ›

    Quartz and granite countertops are priced similarly per square foot, with granite counters having the wider variation in price. Granite can be more expensive than quartz at times, based on the availability of a color and pattern. Sometimes quartz is more expensive due to the treatments it receives during manufacturing.

    Does quartz scratch easier than granite? ›

    Yes, quartz is very scratch resistant and compares well to granite. It is however easier to repair natural stone.

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