An incredibly common question our clients ask us as they embark on their remodels, “Which is better, granite or quartz?” We are going to break down the pros and cons for each of these popular kitchen countertop materials.
GRANITE
Pros:
1. Longevity. Granite has been a tried-and-true countertop choice for many years. It is time tested and universally appealing. If you know you plan on moving, granite is a wonderful addition that potential buyers love to see.
2. It’s available in wide slabs. Granite slabs can come in all shapes and sizes, but it’s more common to find slabs more than 70-inches wide (quartz slabs are seldom larger than 65-inches wide). When you are remodeling your kitchen, wide slabs are a huge benefit since that usually means you will have few seams in your kitchen.
3. It can cost less. Now, if you select a high-end, exotic granite it will absolutely cost more than quartz. But the nice thing about granite is there are more budget-friendly options, depending on what you’re looking for.
4. Natural Beauty. Granite is a natural material with patterns and textures that you won’t see anywhere else. Every slab is unique which really lets you personalize your home.
Cons:
1. It’s porous. Like other stone options, granite is not naturally resistant to moisture. It’s best not to let spills and water rings sit too long since there is a chance they can stain your countertops. An engineered product like quartz is nonporous and can better handle long-term exposure to moisture, and most spills don’t need immediate attention.
2. It requires more maintenance. Granite is not a high-maintenance material – it just requires a bit more attention than quartz does. You’ll have to be mindful of what cleaners and soaps you use with granite, and you’ll also have to reseal it about every two to five years.
3. Most patterns are “busy”. Granite has a lot of movement in the patterns, and we’ve found people either love that or hate it.
4. It’s brittle. Don’t get me wrong, granite is incredibly strong. However, it tends to break far easier than quartz does during installation. Most installers will patch cracks to cover the costs of a new slab, but that can add additional time to your project.
QUARTZ
Pros:
1. It’s low maintenance. Quartz doesn’t require sealing like granite and isn’t as prone to staining. Quartz can react poorly with certain chemicals, so always make sure you check with your manufacturers cleaning and maintenance guide before you use a particular product.
2. Stronger than natural stone. While quartz is not immune to scuffs and stains, it’s about as stain and scratch resistant as countertops can get. Since it’s an engineered product, it’s nonporous and less likely to stain. The resins and polymers used during the manufacturing process also make it harder to crack or break during installation.
3. It’s popular. Quartz is a huge selling point for homebuyers and offers a larger return on investment if you are planning on selling your home in the future.
4. It offers consistent, clean styles. Quartz has solid, consistent coloring that makes it a natural fit in almost any kitchen! If you’re looking for a countertop that isn’t “busy” and functions like granite, this is it.
Cons:
1. It’s more expensive. Less maintenance and greater strength usually equals a higher price tag.
2. It’s not suitable to outdoor installations. While quartz is generally heat-resistant, it will not perform well outdoors. Over time its surface will fade and discolor from sun exposure while granite will survive sunlight and other weather elements with ease.
3. Slabs of the same color always look the same. Quartz slabs are predictable and always look the same from slab to slab. If you’re looking for a truly unique countertop, you won’t find that with quartz.
4. It isn’t the real deal. As durable and innovative as quartz is, it won’t ever be 100% natural or unique.
So, which is better, granite or quartz? We’ll leave that up to you to decide since we are a team divided here at Specktacular Home Remodeling!