For homeowners who are passionate to design their kitchen, there are only a few if not nothing else that sparks more intense debate than granite vs. quartz countertops argument. Which one is the perfect choice for countertops? Is there any clear–cut option that satisfies all needs?
The truth is you will more likely have an easier time to pick between the two once you understand them more clearly. By doing so, you can then pick whichever countertops suit you best.
Stone Formation
Granites are naturally-made rocks. Despite its name, granite actually contains numerous materials including quartz and feldspar as the primary minerals. After the granites are mined, they are cut into slabs or tiles before being polished.
On the other hand, Quartz countertops are man-made. Consisting approximately 90% quartz, the countertops are further composed of resins as adhesive among pigments and few others.
If you want your kitchen to be more natural, then granite is probably the better choice.
Appearance
Granite usually has natural hue variations due to the way it’s formed, which is the solidifying of cooled molten materials. The various colorations in granite are forged by diverse materials inside it.
Quartz, however, has a more consistent color. Since the color is artificially added, quartz also offers homeowners a wider array of choices that may fit their preferences.
Which one’s superior is up to you. As you familiarize yourself with different styles of color between granite and quartz, you’ll eventually have the sense to choose which one you fancy.
Durability
While the hue variations in granite are eye candy for some people, they also introduce a weakness. The variations of minerals in between granite caused the stone to be porous. Therefore, granite countertops owners need to reseal their countertops once a year to prevent cracks that not only possibly break the countertops but can also harbor germs.
On the contrary, quartz is more durable. Apart from having been sealed beforehand, quartz countertops are primarily made of quartz, which is known for its superior durability than granite. Besides, its sealed feature will prevent bacteria to inhibit the countertops. Quartz does have a weakness however, excessive heat can damage the surface of quartz countertops so make sure to use heating pads.
All in all, quartz countertops are easier to be cleaned and maintained despite less heat-resilient.
Eco-friendliness
Since granite countertops are naturally made, fewer carbon emissions are produced when making one compared to quartz countertops. Although there’s misleading information saying the radioactive gas called radon existing inside granite is harmful, as a matter of fact, the gas is very small in amount to produce any concerning damages.
Price
There isn’t a clear winner in terms of price. Some granite and quartz are more expensive than the other depending on the quality of the material. For reference, Home Advisor lists the average price of granite countertops between $2000 and $4000, whereas quartz countertops cost between $1000 and $5000.
If you want to save money, you can consider buying material from a wholesaler and/or doing the preliminary job yourself but the actual manufacturing and installation have to be done by a professional.
Conclusion
Granite countertops are a great choice for naturalists. Proper maintenance is needed especially regular resealing whether by yourself or a professional. Keep dishrag close to promptly clean any stains.
If you are someone who can’t be bothered to do the extra maintenance, the engineered quartz countertops may be the one for you. They are easier to clean-up and don’t require resealing.
Alternatively, you can opt for resin-based granite counters that have been sealed to reduce the trouble, although they are still not as strong as quartz.