Granite vs. Quartz

Stone surfaces provide your kitchen or bathroom with a timeless, luxurious aesthetic. Granite is a 100% natural material that is mined and cut for fabrication. On the other hand, quartz countertops contain crushed pieces of stone byproducts with a mix of polymer resin to hold it all together. Consider the granite vs. quartz pros and cons to determine whether you should use granite or quartz countertops for your next remodeling project.

Table of Contents:

• Pros and Cons of Granite
• Pros and Cons of Quartz
• Granite vs. Quartz Cost
• Should You Choose Granite or Quartz Countertops?

Pros and Cons of Granite

Manufacturers create granite countertops by extracting stone from quarries all over the world. After the fabricators cut slabs to manageable sizes, they polish the granite pieces with a refined finish.

Compared to quartz, granite provides the following benefits for your living space:

• Heat resistance: Granite can withstand excessive heat, so you can place a hot pan right on granite without damaging it. You could also use granite surfaces outdoors because of their ability to tolerate intense UV rays.
• Versatile design: Depending on the preferences you have for your living space’s style, granite comes in a wide selection of patterns and colors. You can have the look of marble without the extra maintenance marble requires.
• Natural materials: Homeowners prefer granite over quartz because it is a natural material. The elegance of all-natural stone will give you more confidence in your living space.

Along with these advantages to granite countertops, consider the following drawbacks:

• Mismatched design: Even though granite’s versatile design gives your countertops a unique look, you might not prefer differing surfaces. No two granite slabs are precisely the same, but there is enough uniformity to them for you to do a whole kitchen or even several rooms of the same material, especially when the slabs are from the same lot. Still, if you’d like to have all the countertops in your living space look uniform, you might want to install a different material.
• Need for sealing: To prolong your granite surfaces, you may need to treat them with sealant periodically. This process is a straightforward way to protect your countertops from staining, but if you’re unsure of how to seal your granite countertops, call a professional to take care of them.
• Energy expenditure: Manufacturers use a lot of energy quarrying the ground to create sturdy, reliable granite slabs. Granite slabs imported from another country also require extra energy to transport.

Pros and Cons of Quartz

Even though miners don’t quarry it directly from the ground like granite, quartz countertops maintain the luxurious appearance that rivals other natural stone materials. As you consider quartz vs. granite pros and cons, the benefits of quartz include:

• Appearance: Quartz has the look of natural stone but with a broader selection of design options and less maintenance. Since quartz is a combination of stone byproducts, it’s available in more exotic colors, like bright red and blue. Unlike granite, quartz also has a uniform look to bring the whole design of your kitchen or bathroom together.
• Durability: Quartz is resistant to stains and bacteria buildup due to its nonporous surface. Like granite, quartz is resistant to chipping or cracking.

Besides the advantages of quartz, consider the shortcomings of this countertop material:

• Sensitivity to heat: Quartz is vulnerable to excessive heat due to its resin content. As you maneuver hot plates and pans in the kitchen, you have to put a towel or trivet on quartz surfaces. Since it’s sensitive to heat, you can’t use quartz outside because of potential UV damage.
• Stone byproduct: Homeowners who want a natural stone look in their living space may prefer an authentic countertop material to manufactured quartz. Even though quartz can look as luxurious as marble, it doesn’t replace the pure stone.

Granite vs. Quartz Cost

Quartz and granite cost about the same per square foot, and they’re both relatively easy to clean at a low price. Instead of spending money on specific cleaners that higher-end stone materials require, you can wash your countertops with mild soap and water. Consider the following factors that may affect the cost of your granite or quartz countertops:

• Installation and labor: Besides manufacturing your stone countertops and installing them on your property, the fabricators remove and get rid of the old material. They might also have to move existing plumbing pipes and rewire the necessary appliances. Before they cut the new one to fit in the space needed for your kitchen or bathroom, they inspect your property to ensure the existing cabinetry will support the new countertops.
• Type of stone: You can find a variety of granite and quartz to accommodate your budget. An intricate countertop design or a rare color for your granite or quartz slab will be more expensive than a simple pattern.
• Fabricator’s prices: You’ll have a better chance of finding the right stone surfaces from a fabricator than at a local home improvement store. A fabricator will have a more extensive selection of options, which can save you money in shipping and customization costs. The fabrication company will also install your stone countertops for you, so you don’t have to hire a contractor to bring them to your home. Shop around for the right fabricator to get the best deal for your stone materials.
• Part of the house: The space where you want to put your countertops may affect how much you pay for it. Since bathrooms are smaller, you need a smaller slab of granite or quartz to go over your cabinetry. However, you may end up paying more money if your bathroom is an odd shape because the fabricators may have to be more creative when trying to get inside the room to lay down the countertop.

When you work with a fabricator to find the right stone countertops for your living space, they can go over the specific price of your materials and installation.

Should You Choose Granite or Quartz Countertops?

As you’re deciding between granite vs. quartz countertops, think about the room you need to remodel. Granite is a suitable material for kitchen and outdoor countertops because of its UV resistance. You should choose granite countertops if you prefer an all-natural stone, and you live in a sunny neighborhood.

On the other hand, quartz is a better material for the bathroom because of its nonporous structure. The impermeable surface is resistant to moisture and stains. You should choose quartz countertops if you prefer a more uniform look in your living space.

Explore Our Granite and Quartz Countertops at Lesher Natural Stone, Quartz, & Tile in Central Pennsylvania

Whether you decide on granite or quartz, we have a wide selection of natural stone at Lesher Natural Stone, Quartz, & Tile. To complement your kitchen or bathroom countertops, we also offer granite and quartz sinks. Contact us online for a free quote, or call 717-944-4431 to speak with one of our professionals.