When it comes to countertop materials, quartz and granite happen to be quite common and homeowners are usually confused about the best material to get between the two. Granite is a hard stone and 100% natural. It is mined, cut down into small sizes, and then polished. On the other hand, quartz is not 100% natural because it is manufactured using 95% natural quartz and 5% polymer resins. Now that you understand the basics, this article will help you make a decision on the best material to get by explaining the differences between the two.
Appearance
A major reason why quartz is such a common countertop material is its appearance. It gives the look of stone while at the same time allowing you to customize the overall design. On its part, granite comes in a wide array of colors and patterns due to its formation. If you are in search of a complement slab with outstanding mineral inclusions or a subtle complement to your kitchen, granite will have you covered. The only issue with granite is that unlike quartz, you may have to spend a lot of time looking for the right piece that suits your color needs. With quartz, this process of selecting colors is a lot easier.
Environmental Friendliness
Quartz is engineered, meaning it can be more environmentally friendly compared to granite. However, you will need to use regionally manufactured stone and the services of local fabricators to cut on the distance you have to transport the quartz. Granite, on the other hand, is quarried. This process ends up using a lot of energy. Therefore, granite might not be as eco-friendly as quartz.
Durability
Although natural granite is quite stunning in terms of appearance, it still needs to be sealed on a regular basis to minimize cracks. Quartz does not need this kind of care. Additionally, natural stone materials like slate, granite, and sandstone stain quite fast. Sealed granite can be more resistant to trouble compared to normal granite that is not yet sealed. However, it cannot match quartz’s resistance. Apart from these issues, granite cracks, and chips easily than quartz. Therefore, if you are in search of a durable stone, quartz is the way to go.
Maintenance
Quartz and granite are quite easy to maintain. For quartz, just clean spills as soon as they happen with soap and water. You should do the same with granite countertops. Remember that oils and acids can stain your countertops so do a lot of research before using them.
Heat Resistance
Since granite is formed via the cooling of molten rock, it happens to be quite resistant to heat. Therefore, a hot pot placed on this countertop will not cause discoloration to the stone. However, there may be a possibility of thermal shock making it crack. You should hence use a trivet instead. On its part, quartz granite can only handle temperatures of up to 150 degrees. This means that relatively hot or warm plates should not be an issue. The major problem with quartz when it comes to heat is that the resin that binds the stone together can end up becoming discolored when exposed to extremely high temperatures. This ends up leaving marks and rings, which can be hard to repair.
Price
Depending on the quality of the quartz material and the size you are planning to purchase, you can end up paying between $1,000 and $5,000 to install quartz countertops. Although you can do some things by yourself, quartz is quite heavy and delicate and you will need to use the services of a professional installer. The average cost to buy granite and have it installed is between $1,500 and $4,000. You can save funds by buying the material from a wholesaler and doing some labor yourself. However, you may also want to leave the installation work to the professionals.
Real Estate Value
Quartz and granite are both incredible countertop materials that should impress potential buyers. When you compare them to other materials like ceramic and laminate, granite and quartz can greatly boost the overall value of your home.
If you are looking to remodel your home and install countertops, you mainly have two materials to consider – quartz and granite. Both are loved for their appearance and durability but are quite different in terms of appearance and overall performance. There is no clear reason to choose one over the other and so, it all depends on individual preference and liking.
