When it comes to kitchen countertop renovations, there are few subjects as divisive as the “quartz vs granite” debate. While some homeowners swear by quartz, others absolutely hate this material, and vice versa. So, how do you choose between quartz or granite? Here’s everything you need to know to make an informed decision.
What Is Granite?
Granite is a 100% natural hard stone that is sourced in quarries in countries like Brazil, Italy and Canada. It is then cut into smaller pieces to facilitate the exporting process. Granite slabs are usually polished to obtain a clean, lustrous look, and display multicoloured grains that are visible to the naked eye.
What Is Quartz?
Contrarily to granite, quartz is not a 100% natural stone. Usually, quartz kitchen countertops are made of 95% natural quartz, and 5% polymer resins, which helps bind the rock under intense pressure and heat. Pigments can then be added, to give a particular wanted aesthetic to the slab.
Quartz Vs Granite Countertop Differences
While they’re both great quality materials, a few different criteria can help you differentiate quartz from granite. Here’s what you need to know.
Price
Granite and quartz prices are usually the same, although it may vary if you choose an exotic design.
- The average cost to have a granite kitchen counter installed is usually between $2,000 and $4,500.
- For a quartz countertop, it usually costs between $3,000 and $7,500.
Eco-friendliness
Granite and quartz eco-friendliness is mostly based on the energy it takes to quarry and transport them.
- It’s best to avoid choosing granite slabs from far-away countries. The best you can do is choose indigenous stones, to cut energy and transportation efforts.
- Quartz is a bit more environment-friendly than granite, as it is an engineered material that can be easily sourced from local manufacturers.
Maintenance
Here are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to maintaining a granite or a quartz countertop.
Seal
- It is generally recommended to clean your granite countertops once a day, and to reseal them once a year, to protect their shine.
- Quartz countertops just need to be cleaned daily with some mild soap and lukewarm water. No need to reseal them, as they’re protected by the resins in it.
Stain
- Granite is a porous stone, so it can get stained if not properly maintained.
- Since quartz countertops contain resin, it makes them non-porous, and much more resistant to stains than granite countertops.
Antibacterial
- Granite is resistant to bacteria, although due to it being a porous stone, it’s important to properly maintain your countertops. This will prevent any germ-harbouring liquids from getting caught in the surface.
- Since quartz isn’t porous, you don’t need to worry about bacteria if you clean them properly every day.
Heat Resistance
- One of granite’s main strengths is heat resistance. This stone can actually resist higher temperatures than quartz.
- Although quartz is considered heat-resistant, it is not heat-proof. So you need to be much more careful when placing hot pans or other hot objects on its surface, to avoid any potential damages.
Cracking
- Granite is a bit more prone to cracking compared to quartz, because of its inherent characteristics.
- On top of being protected by the resins in it, quartz slabs usually have more uniform surfaces, which makes them more resistant to cracks.
Durability
- Despite being more porous than quartz, granite is considered to be a durable material, since it’s resistant to heat and scratches.
- Quartz is considered to be almost indestructible, which makes them one of the must durable materials available for your kitchen countertops.
Look & Feel
- Each granite slab is unique, from its mineral pattern to its colour. It definitely has a more natural look, since it’s derived from a 100% natural stone, but it may take you longer to find the right piece for your kitchen.
- Quartz slabs are engineered, which means that they have a less natural look and feel. On the upside, you can get more uniform colours and special patterns, compared to granite.
What About Real Estate Reselling Value
Granite and quartz are both considered to be superior kitchen countertop materials, compared to other materials like laminate or tile. Although some people might have a preference for granite since it’s a 100% natural stone, both material countertops can increase your house’s reselling value.
Which Countertop Should I Choose?
Both granite and quartz are high-end materials for your kitchen countertops. At the end of the day, if you want a more natural look in your kitchen, you might want to choose granite. If you like more even tones or special patterns, quartz might be the one for you.
At Méga Comptoirs, we can help you make the right decision. Make sure to contact us today!