Quartz Countertops Vs. Granite And Which Is Better

Do you have a preference between granite and quartz countertops?

Most people either don’t know enough to have a clear choice, or they’re head-over-heels in love with one and intensely hate the other.

The real question is, are there actual reasons for this love or hate relationship, or does it simply come down to aesthetics?

Greystone Remodeling knows it’s more than just the aesthetics. Knowledge like this is making us the leading choice for home remodeling in Raleigh, North Carolina.

But, before we get into the differences, it’s a great idea to know what quartz and granite are.

What Is Quartz?

Quartz is a natural type of stone. But, quartz countertops are not 100 percent natural. Five percent of it is a combination of polymer resins.

What Is Granite?

Granite is another type of natural stone, and the countertops are 100 percent natural. People mine it from quarries, cut it, and polish it until it has a fine finish.

There are 5 categories to think about when considering which of these two countertops is best for your home.

Granite vs. Quartz Countertops

1. Looks

If you want a unique and beautiful countertop for your home, go for granite. People make granite countertops by cooling and solidifying molten materials. This results in unique colors and patterns, meaning yours won’t look exactly like anyone else’s.

Quartz looks like stone, but you can customize the design more easily. This makes it way easier to match with your kitchen or bathroom design.

2. Pricing

Granite countertops tend to be cheaper than quartz, but it’s really a toss-up. Cost depends on factors like thickness, color, edge type, and if it’s domestic or imported.

The cost for quartz countertops has gotten lower over the past few years.

3. Durability

Granite is fantastic as a countertop because of its high durability. However, it isn’t stain-resistant due to its porous nature. 

Quartz is more durable than granite overall. It’s nearly indestructible and non-porous, making it easier to keep your countertops bacteria-free. But quartz is weak against high heat objects. You’ll want to use a heating pad when placing hot cookware on it.

4. Maintenance

It’s always a great idea to clean your granite countertops daily. You’ll want to clean any spills quickly, the same as with quartz countertops. The real difference is you need to seal granite once a year to keep it looking its best.

5. Environmental Friendliness

Granite tends to be less friendly for the environment than quartz. You have to quarry it, which takes a lot of energy and transportation. This is especially true for imported granite.

Quartz is better for the environment because you engineer it instead of mining it. You’ll want to choose regional to make it very environmentally friendly.

Granite vs. Quartz Countertops For Kitchens

Granite takes the cake here, but only by a bit.

Granite is more heat-resistant than quartz, and you’re more likely to put hot objects on kitchen countertops. We still recommend using a hot pad when putting hot pots and pans on it. 

Granite’s downside is it’s only moisture-resistant if you reseal it every year.

Granite vs. Quartz Countertops For Bathrooms

Quartz is the better type of countertop for bathrooms. It isn’t porous, meaning it’s more water-resistant, making it less likely to stain.

We still recommend cleaning anything other than water off of it quickly. You may see residual discoloration if you leave a spill alone for too long.

Is Granite Or Quartz The Better Countertop Material?

In all honesty, both countertop materials are high-quality. They’re durable, easy to maintain, and will make your kitchen and bathroom look incredible.

You can put either material in your kitchen or bathroom and, as long as you maintain it well, it’ll work nicely.

Greystone Remodeling Can Help!

Getting either granite or quartz countertops is no problem for us. You can rely on us to find the best material for your budget. We can also help with any other ideas for kitchen remodels you may have.

When you’re ready to talk about your project, you can contact us. If you want more information, check out our bathroom remodeling page or our kitchen remodeling page.