Quartz vs. Granite: Countertop Comparison
Choosing the best kitchen countertop material is critical in a kitchen renovation. For homeowners who like the look of a stone countertop, the choice typically comes down to granite or quartz. While each offers a luxurious and durable surface, differences in composition, appearance, porosity, and maintenance make them distinct choices for homeowners and designers alike.
If you’re preparing to remodel your Atlanta, GA, home’s kitchen, consulting with the design team at Innovative Design Build can simplify comparing the pros and cons of quartz and granite countertops, ensuring your choice suits your lifestyle and design preferences.
A Guide to Composition
The fundamental difference between the materials is that granite is a natural stone, and quartz is an engineered material.
- Quartz is a combination of quartz chips, pigments, and resin. Extremely durable, it delivers decades of service while maintaining its beauty.
- Granite is a 100% natural stone formed by cooling and solidifying molten materials like quartz, feldspar, and mica.
How Durable Is Each Countertop Type?
Quartz and granite are both highly durable but differ in two key ways:
- Granite, second only to diamonds in terms of hardness, resists scratches and chips. Its density allows it to withstand heavy impacts and daily wear and tear, but its porous nature can make it susceptible to etching and staining if improperly sealed and maintained.
- Engineered and non-porous, quartz countertops are highly resistant to stains, scratches, and moisture and are less likely to chip or crack. However, they can crack or scorch when hot pots or pans are placed directly on them.
In short, granite is a superior heat-resistant countertop material that also withstands heavy impacts; quartz is better at resisting stains and generally requires less maintenance.
Appearance of Granite & Quartz
Both materials are incredibly beautiful, and either would look great in a kitchen renovation. Choosing one over the other typically comes down to design preferences.
- Granite’s natural variations and irregular veins and swirls create a one-off look, ensuring a unique appearance. The most common colors are white, black, gray, and pink, but you can also find browns, blues, and greens. Crystal mica gives the material a metallic luster and a just-polished look.
- Quartz countertops provide a more consistent and uniform look, though they can be manufactured to mimic the look of natural stone.
Choosing the Right Countertop for Your Home
Both quartz and granite countertops offer excellent durability and aesthetic appeal, meaning which you choose will depend on personal preferences, maintenance requirements, and design goals.
Why Choose Quartz Countertops?
Because quartz is fabricated using ultra-tough resins, you don’t need to worry about etching or cracking. Other advantages include:
- Low maintenance: Non-porous and highly resistant to stains, quartz is practically maintenance-free, doesn’t need sealing, and requires no special cleaning.
- Consistent appearance: Your kitchen has a more uniform look. And since quartz is a flexible material, you can even use it for backsplashes.
- Design choices: Quartz’s variety of colors and patterns allows you to mimic the look of natural stone or create a unique, modern aesthetic.
Are Granite Countertops the Better Choice?
If you’re looking for a countertop material that’s beautiful and functional, granite might be your best choice.
- Natural beauty: Created by nature, granite has stunning swirls, veining, and color variations, giving it a unique appearance that adds warmth and character to any kitchen. It works beautifully with wood cabinetry and various metal faucets and fixtures.
- Durability: Incredibly hard and dense, granite offers long-lasting performance in busy kitchen environments.
- Heat resistance: Granite withstands high temperatures better than quartz, making it ideal for people who frequently place hot pots and pans on their countertops.
Trust Innovative Design Build With Countertop Upgrades
Trends show that while quartz is now the most popular countertop material, granite is a classic material that remains a strong candidate for kitchen makeovers. Our team will ensure that whichever material you ultimately choose beautifully complements your other kitchen remodel choices.
Since 2000, Innovative Design Build has helped Atlanta homeowners choose materials, features, and fixtures for their kitchen remodels.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation or learn more about the best countertops for your home.
