Let’s take a deep dive into the pros and cons of quartz v. granite countertops. We have both types of countertop in our kitchen and much experience with the recent spike in cost of building materials. So today, I’ll cover current cost comparison, durability, style, and more!
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As you can see, we have both granite and quartz worktops in our kitchen.
Our kitchen remodel spans four years of DIYing, remodeling, and tweaking the design. It’s been an interesting journey to say the least.
You can learn more about our kitchen renovations via the video above, or check out these posts below.
With that, let’s get into the pros and cons that we’ve found from much research and experience having both granite and quartz countertops in several homes.
There are many pros and cons of granite and quartz. Each kitchen countertop material comes with its own set of positives and negatives.
Butcher block, marble, soapstone, laminate, quartzite, and concrete countertops are all frequently used materials for a kitchen counter. However, quartz and granite stand out as the most popular options.
So let’s break down quartz v granite into a very black and white list of pros and cons.
Let’s start with quartz countertops. Quartz is a very popular kitchen countertop option for many reasons.
The pros of quartz countertops are:
While there are many pros to quartz, there are also some cons. The negatives of quartz countertops are:
When I designed our kitchen, I wanted the look of marble without the maintenance. Learn more about the quartz we chose and 14 other options to get the look!
OUR QUARTZ DETAILS
Now, let’s get a straight forward list of pros and cons of granite.
Granite is an excellent natural stone that has been used in kitchens for a very long time. Here are the positive attributes of granite countertops.
While granite is an excellent countertop choice, there are some cons to consider.
When we updated our kitchen island, I knew I wanted the look of soapstone. But I didn’t want the maintenance. See how I got the look with granite!
Our Granite Details
As you can see, the pros and cons of quartz v granite countertops are very comparable.
It isn’t difficult to see why many people have a hard time choosing between the two options.
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Turn on your JavaScript to view contentBoth granite and quartz are durable, beautiful and relatively easy to care for.
Neither of them have cons that are insurmountable or overly burdensome.
I’ve personally loved our quartz countertops because they are basically indestructible to kids. They hold up to grape juice, matchbox cars, and even permanent marker. (We’ve learned the lesson…)
On the other hand, we chose to replace the quartz island top with granite countertops after we extended the island in our mini remodel. That wasn’t because we were unhappy with the quartz. Rather, it was because I fell in love with the look (and cost) of a granite slab I stumbled upon in the stone yard.
So, let’s talk price.
A quartz v granite countertops cost comparison is difficult to offer in a neat little package.
As with most materials, prices vary greatly based on location, supply and demand, and stylistic options.
There are many granites that cost more than quartz. Conversely, there are many quartz options that cost more than some granites. Each individual type of granite or quartz will fall into a different pricing block.
On average, granite costs from $80-$180 per square foot. Quartz can vary from $50-$200 per square foot. Both of these prices include installation.
The specific cost you will incur when replacing or adding kitchen countertops will depend on:
On average, quartz and granite are very close in price. However, the general industry would say that quartz is traditionally cheaper.
Of course, there are exceptions! My kitchen is a great example of that.
When we extended our kitchen island, I was planning to simply purchase a new longer slab using the same quartz that we have on the perimeter. Until I saw that the price had jumped significantly!
For the same size slab, the granite I ended up choosing was $1,000 cheaper than the quartz we had before.
Thankfully, I fell in love with the movement of the granite slab and wasn’t stuck on using the same countertop we had previously.
For reference, our kitchen countertops are:
I’ve been very happy with both quartz and granite countertops and find that they are very similar in general durability for an average family.
So, which option is best for you? My best advice is to go into your local stone yard and look at the slabs available for both countertop options.
You may fall in love with a slab right then and there. The next step is to get a personalized quote for your project for your top 3 favorite countertop options.
Having information that is personalized for your situation will go a long way in making a wise choice for your kitchen remodel.
Thanks so much for stopping by the blog today! I hope this article on the pros and cons of quartz v granite countertops was helpful to you in making an informed decision!
You might also find these articles helpful in your kitchen remodel journey!
Make sure to subscribe to get my Grace Notes directly to your inbox and to access all my insider perks. You can also follow along daily on Instagram and weekly on YouTube!
~Sarah
Whether a homeowner is planning a full-scale kitchen remodel or a quick face-lift, new countertops are often at the top of their wish list. There are many options when homeowners are selecting countertop materials, from the rustic and simple to the astonishingly expensive and luxurious, and the choice will depend on the kitchen style, the aesthetics of the home, trends in the geographic area, and budget. Two of the best countertop materials that meet many remodelers’ visions and budgets are granite and quartz: Both are available in a variety of styles and shades, are heat-resistant and relatively low maintenance, and have options that will fit into many budgets. Plus the natural-stone appeal and longevity of granite and quartz mean the counters will hold their value past short-term trends and increase the resale value of the home.
The fact that both materials are natural and fairly heat-resistant, however, is where the similarities end. Granite and quartz are quite different in appearance but also in maintenance, care, and cost. Choosing either will result in a beautiful kitchen, but homeowners will likely want to take the up-front cost of countertops and the long-term cost of maintenance into account when selecting either of these stone options for their countertops.
Granite can be purchased in several ways: Customers can select a slab out of which their countertops will be fabricated or choose prefabricated counter sections. The average granite countertop cost is $15 to $140 per square foot for slabs and $10 to $35 per square foot for prefabricated pieces, averaging $3,250 per project nationally. Especially for the slabs, this is an enormous range, because each piece of granite is composed of flecks and chunks of different stone material, so the patterns, thickness, and strength will vary from slab to slab. The more unique and solid the piece is, the more expensive it will be. Slab pieces will also require cutting and finishing (though many prefabricated pieces will also require sink cutouts and edge finishing). Because the cost of granite countertops varies so widely, customers with smaller budgets can select pieces that are attractive and affordable, and customers with larger budgets can choose unusual and expensive pieces to complement their luxury kitchen plans. Some retailers will also market decomposed granite (a crushed-stone granite that adds texture to surfaces) for a different type of countertop, either to include in concrete countertops for visual interest or in DIY-style resin countertops, although those options aren’t really considered to be traditional granite countertops and have different properties and costs.
Quartz countertops are an engineered product crafted from 93 percent natural quartz stone combined with colors and resin. When shopping for countertop products, customers may wonder about the differences between quartz vs. quartzite; the term “quartz” always refers to this composite product, where the term “quartzite” refers to 100 percent natural stone—a beautiful, strong, and much more costly option. The average cost of quartz countertops is between $15 and $100 per square foot, with a national range of $1,500 to $12,000 total per project, averaging $4,500. While quartz is slightly more expensive than granite in general, the engineered nature of quartz makes it easier to choose a style and ensure that all of the countertop pieces will match in terms of color and pattern.
Many homeowners look for opportunities to DIY some of the installation to save money on a project. It’s important to note that neither of these materials is DIY-friendly. The weight, size, and tendency of stone to crack, plus the need to cut out sink openings and then finish the edges, make them much more suited to professional installation.
Quartz countertops are nonporous, which means that they don’t absorb the colors or odors of food or liquids that come in contact with the quartz. The material resists stains without the need for continuous resealing, and it is easy to clean. In addition, the combination of quartz stone dust and resin is exceptionally durable and resistant to cracking, chipping, or breaking. The most maintenance a customer might expect is to periodically check the seam where countertop pieces meet or where the counter meets the wall: It’s possible that the adhesive in the seam could degrade or loosen over long periods of time. In general, however, regularly cleaning the countertop is the only maintenance quartz countertops need. Therefore, while quartz countertops cost more at the outset, maintenance costs after installation will be minimal.
In the past, granite countertops were installed with no natural or artificial sealant on the material, so they needed to be sealed monthly or more. Most granite is now coated prior to delivery with a sealant that has a little more staying power, so while the counter will need to be sealed immediately after installation, resealing is now an annual event rather than a monthly task. Still, the inconvenience and cost of sealing the counters, especially if the customer chooses to hire someone to do the job, add to the cost of the material over time. Failing to seal the granite regularly can lead to stains and discoloration from food and liquids—even water. Unsealed granite will not develop an attractive patina like a butcher-block or metal counter; instead it will stain and harbor bacteria. Quartz countertops, on the other hand, do not require sealing because the resin component of the engineered material naturally seals the otherwise porous stone.
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Even customers who regularly seal their granite countertops will likely experience some staining. Because of granite’s naturally flecked and patterned appearance, small stains that result from an area that didn’t absorb the sealant as well can perhaps be ignored, but larger stains may require polishing and grinding, then resealing and refinishing, which can add significantly to the cost of the granite over the life of the countertop.
The resin in quartz countertops makes the material much, much more stain-resistant. This is not to say that it’s impossible to stain a quartz countertop: Some acids or dyes are very aggressive and can stain almost any material (lemon juice that sits for an extended period of time and the very potent red dye in some drink mixes being chief offenders), but in general if the quartz countertop is promptly cleaned, it will remain stain-free and will not incur significant repair costs. The biggest threat to the appearance of a quartz countertop is direct sunlight, which can cause the material to fade or discolor over time. This is why quartz should be installed only as an indoor countertop and never in an outdoor kitchen that is open to the sun. In addition, while quartz is heat-resistant, placing extremely hot materials on the surface may cause the resin to warp or burn.
Quartz counters are made from quartz pieces that are ground and mixed with resin to create a strong, durable bonded product. Granite is a beautiful, all-natural stone that develops over time in huge chunks and is then sourced, carefully cut into slabs of 2 to 3 inches, and then honed or finished. It is by nature more delicate, as the thin slab formation spreads the heavy weight of the stone over a large area. If the piece is handled professionally, the finishing, edging, and cutting of the slab will strengthen the material by providing strong supportive structure underneath, but the material is still vulnerable to cracking or breaking. This is why the cost to install granite countertops is generally higher than for other materials. Small cracks can be repaired by a skilled craftsperson at a cost, and then the counter will need to be polished and resealed. Large cracks or breaks may not be repairable, in which case the piece may need to be replaced. Because granite is densely patterned, the entire counter may need to be replaced if a slab that matches closely enough cannot be located. This may reduce the lifespan of the countertop significantly and essentially means replacing the entire countertop much sooner than planned.
Both granite and quartz make beautiful countertops that will complement almost any kitchen. The materials provide a range of colors, patterns, and styles, and both provide beauty and durability. Each has its own benefits: Granite is less expensive to install initially, is fabricated from all-natural materials, and comes in an enormous variety of natural and unique patterns and colorways, but it requires more maintenance overall and can crack or stain. Quartz does generally cost more initially, but it is virtually maintenance-free and very durable. It’s available in colors and patterns that are easier to match because the product is engineered, although some customers may prefer the natural granite product over the engineered quartz; the presence of resin can also cause some mild off-gassing (this is when a manufactured item releases volatile organic compounds [VOCs] or other chemicals into the atmosphere, which may have a negative health effect for the home’s residents).
Regardless of which product works best with the customer’s taste, style, and budget, choosing a professional for this project will result in the strongest installation without risk of injury to the installer or the material. Quality installation will also increase the appearance and lifespan of the product. With materials such as quartz and granite, which are fragile during transport but durable after installation, hiring a professional for the project is a good choice to make.
Quartz and granite countertops add beauty and value to a home, bringing in a natural element that holds up well to the workings of a kitchen. Each has its strengths and weaknesses, but for most customers the decision between the two will come down to budget, appearance, and maintenance. There’s no clear winner, so remodelers and home builders can be confident that whichever product they choose will beautify their home—as long as they let a professional install it.
At the time of installation, yes, quartz is generally more expensive. The cost ranges do overlap, so there are certainly slabs of granite that will initially cost significantly more than a lower-grade quartz. However, the cost of maintenance on a granite countertop over time—regular sealing, crack repair, occasionally premature replacement—can make the overall cost of granite higher than expected.
It’s difficult to compare quality, because they’re really two different products. Both are natural stone, but while granite is a single slab of stone hewn from a larger vein of material, quartz is an engineered stone made primarily of quartz pieces and dust bound with resin. Each is beautiful and has properties that will appeal to homeowners for different reasons.
When homeowners are comparing granite or quartz vs. marble, customers will find that marble is the most expensive countertop material overall. Marble is more expensive and requires more maintenance than both quartz and granite, so those costs will also add to the higher initial outlay.
Stone countertops will last a long time. If the slab of granite is solid and has no inherent fault lines, then a granite countertop and a quartz countertop will have similar lifespans. However, part of the beauty of granite is in its striations, which often exist along faults, and quartz countertops simply don’t have those faults, so barring unusual damage, quartz will generally last longer than granite.
Perhaps. Quartz contains resin, which has a melting point. Lower-grade quartz may warp or melt if a hot pan is placed directly on the surface for more than a moment. Higher-grade quartz will have a higher melting point and may be safe unless the pan is extraordinarily hot. The resin burns that can occur are not repairable, so it’s best not to take the chance.
Those who are looking for a nonporous surface that is crack-resistant and low-maintenance will enjoy the properties quartz offers. While it’s a bit more expensive than granite at the outset, the longevity and low maintenance make it worth the investment for those who are less concerned about the natural slab patterns of granite.
Both materials are offered in a range of textures: polished, honed, sandblasted, and in some cases leather. Customers can choose the finish they prefer. The glossy polished finish of either stone will be shiny and deep, but as quartz is finished with resin, the polished surface will be perfectly smooth, while granite may retain some of its natural texture.
Both quartz and granite are considered luxury countertops, especially at the top end of their price ranges. They cost more than many other types of countertop but are not the most expensive options, either. The price range allows for customers with lower budgets to choose lower-grade quartz or more common granite patterns so they can have a more luxurious material without blowing the project budget, and it also allows customers with large budgets to choose rare and exceptionally beautiful materials, such as rose quartz or blue or black granite.
It does not. Quartz is among the most stain-resistant countertop materials available because of the resin incorporated into the product during manufacturing.
Quartz. Granite isn’t terribly high-maintenance, but it does need to be sealed regularly (from once per month to once per year, depending on the product) and is prone to staining when the sealant has worn away or not absorbed. Those stains require professional repair. Also, granite can crack along the natural faults inherent in the stone, at which point the crack may need to be repaired or the whole countertop may need to be replaced. Quartz requires almost no maintenance—regular cleaning and an occasional check of seams.
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