Picking out new countertops for your bathroom or kitchen? Choosing the right material can be difficult. Read our breakdown of quartz vs granite here.

When it comes to building or remodeling a home, there are a lot of decisions to make. One of the most most impactful is usually the countertops.

Choosing your countertop materials can be challenging. When it comes to deciding between the two most popular choices, quartz or granite, many homeowners find themselves at a loss.

But is one material really better than the other? How do you choose?

This guide will help break down the difference between the two. Use this guide anytime you need to figure out the best countertop materials for your home.

What Is Quartz?

Quatrtz is a manufactured/engineered stone has a non-porous surface, consisting of natural quartz and acrylic and/or polymer resin. most quartz countertops are made with 95% natural quartz materials and 5% polymer resin. surfaces are known to be stain-resistant, easy to maintain, and generally heat-resistant (although we never recommend anyone to place high heat items on/near any surface).

What Is Granite?

Granite is 100% natural stone. It is formed deep in the earth, where magma slowly cools and forms tiny crystals of iron, magnesium, titanium, calcium, quartz, and minerals. While new rocks and minerals are constantly forming, most granite available today was formed hundreds of millions of years ago.  Granite is known for its hardness and beauty.

Durability

Quartz

Quartz is “stain-resistant” and “scratch resistant”  – these are the attributes tied to the fact that the resin adds a great deal of durabilty to the product. Nothing is indestrucible, but is its strentgh is certainly appealing.

The one area where quartz falls behind granite is in the area of heat-resistance. Because of the added resin, quartz is susceptible to damage from high temperatures. Be sure to use heating pads for hot pots and pans.

Granite

Even though granite is less durable than quartz, it can still stand up to some pretty tough challenges. And, unlike quartz, it’s entirely heat resistant.

However, granite is a porous stone.  To help you with addressing potential staining, a long term-sealant is applied to your stone. This will not prevent unattended spills from damaging your stone, but gives you time to remove spills from a porous surface.

Maintenance

Quartz

It’s relatively simple to maintain your quartz countertops. Most spills can be cleaned simply with soap and water or household cleaner. All reputable quartz brands have cleaning instructions on their site.

There is no need to reseal quartz countertops.

Granite

Granite countertops will require a little more extra maintenance. These should be cleaned with soap and water or mild household cleaner every day, but especially in the event of spills.

Before you select a cleaner, however, do some research on the ingredients. Certain acids and oils can leave stains on your granite countertops and break down your sealer.

Cost

Quartz

On average, a quartz installation will cost between from $70.00 to $130.00 per SF for installation of your quartz countertops. The scope of the job may also include removal and disposal of existing countertops, outlet cut outs, etc. so it is important to cover those details when setting your budget for your project.

Granite

Supply, demand and uniqueness drives the costs of granite and other natural stones,  therefore the cost per SF for installation of granite varies significantly.  There are baseline granites that cost slightly less than quartz, and most granite installs do fall with in the same price range of quartz, but it is important to note, that there are some very costly options out there too.

Appearance

Each countertop type offers a different aesthetic look and feel. There is really no right answer  – its all about what inspires you.

Quartz or Granite: Let me count the ways…

Ultimately, only you can answer that question based on your own personal preferences. Now that you know the differences between quartz and granite, you can make a much more informed decision.

Contact Montes Marble & Granite to begin shopping for high-quality stone surfaces.