Quartz Vs. Granite Countertops

Either you're doing up the kitchen from scratch, or you are in the process of overhauling the interiors of your existing kitchen. A countertop plays a vital role in both the looks and utility aspect in the kitchen. So which one do you go for? Granite or quartz? The following information might just clear your mind and make your decision simpler.

Quartz Countertops
Quartz is found in very large quantities on our planet and is a very hard substance even in its crude form. Diamond, sapphire and topaz are the only minerals that are more scratch-resistant than quartz. If we go by the Mohs' Hardness scale, which is used to determine the scratch resistance capacity of a mineral, quartz is ranked 7 on this scale while diamond is ranked 10. Quartz countertops that are available today consist of 93 percent quartz while the remaining 7 percent is made up of other minerals. This peculiar composition makes quartz countertops naturally hard and extremely durable to use. As compared to granite kitchen countertops, quartz countertops are less porous, due to which food particles and other liquids do not stick to the countertop's surface. Also cleaning and removing stains from a quartz countertop is far easier than from a granite countertop.

If we consider engineered quartz countertops, they are available in a wide range of solid colors. Also, the color of an engineered quartz countertop surface is uniform throughout, which is not the case for a granite countertop. Engineered countertops do not need sealing either, and are easier and cheaper to install. However, after the installation, the joints of an engineered quartz countertop are easily visible which hamper its overall appearance. Such joints are not visible in the case of granite countertop installation.

Granite Countertops
Granite, on the other hand, is also a strong and dense material when extracted from the earth. It is available in the form of huge blocks which are later broken into smaller pieces of slab according to individual requirements. These granite slabs are then polished using an application of resin or polyurethane sealer, which makes the granite waterproof. Granite countertops are more vulnerable to contamination due to the growth of bacteria. A mild detergent and warm water can however solve this problem. The quantity of quartz in granite countertop is only 50%, which is far lesser than its quantity in a quartz countertop. Due to this, granite countertops are less harder and also less crack-resistant. To get the record straight, a granite countertop is only half as hard and durable as a quartz countertop.

Installing a granite slab is a very laborious and tedious task, due to which, the installation can cost almost three times the amount spent on the slab. Granite also requires an additional supporting structure during the installation as it is very heavy. However, once a granite countertop is installed, it becomes a permanent structure. Removing it later can even harm the adjoining structures. The biggest advantage of granite countertops is that they sport a luminous surface and give a very rich look to the kitchen furniture.

Granite vs Quartz Countertops: Comparison

Comparison Point	Quartz Countertop	Granite Countertop
Durability	√	×
Price	×	√
Cleaning	√	×
Looks	×	√
Stain Resistance	√	×
Heat Resistance	×	√
Uniform Color / Color Options	√	×
Installation Cost	√	×
Maintenance	√	×

(tick indicates the better option in that particular comparison)

While installing a countertop in your kitchen, it is wise to remember that once installed, the countertop becomes an integral feature of the house, and you must take every measure to ensure that it adds value to the existing look of the kitchen. The table on quartz vs granite countertops is for reference, and one must thoroughly evaluate the properties of both granite and quartz countertops, and also the monetary constraints and specific personal requirements before finally installing any one of them.