Quartz vs. Granite

When the time comes to select interior materials and colors, you will be faced with the decision on what type of countertop is ideal for your family. Quartz and granite have recently dominated, but is one better than the other? Both have their unique pros and cons.

MATERIAL
Granite is a hard, natural stone that is mined from quarries, cut to an appropriate size and polished to a fine finish. Quartz is a man-made material that is manufactured using 90-95 percent ground natural quartz and 5-10 percent polymer resin. We are proud to offer Cambria and MSI quartz in our selection center.

DURABILITY
Both quartz and granite are incredibly durable and capable of standing the test of time in a home. They are each heat and scratch resistant and are generally considered very low maintenance.

Granite is very resistant to high heat and could take a hot pan. However, since it is a natural stone, granite is porous. There could be a risk of staining if spilled liquids or food are left sitting for a long period of time. A high impact blow could additionally cause damage to a granite countertop.

Quartz is harder than granite and other natural stones, therefore allowing it to be more durable. In fact, according to HGTV, the material is nearly indestructible. However, quartz can be damaged by excessive heat!

MAINTENANCE
Soap and water can be used to clean both granite and quartz. Quartz can also tolerate a household cleaner, but since it is not porous in nature, it is much easier to keep quartz free of bacteria. There is no need to reseal quartz since it is a solid surface. Resealing granite annually should be considered to ensure the longevity.

APPEARANCE
Appearance plays a major factor when our homebuyers are deciding whether to use granite or quartz! Granite is available in countless colors and patterns, but it is limited to what nature has produced. Since it is a natural material, no two slabs are alike!

Quartz has become incredibly popular partially due to its attractive appearance. Since it is manmade, it has the ability to look like natural stone (including the timeless look of marble). The selection process tends to be a little more straightforward because the color and pattern of  the samples are completely accurate.