WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GRANITE AND QUARTZ?

Author: Jenny Cazares

Granite and quartz may look similar; however, there are some key differences between them.

What is a granite countertop?

Granite Countertops

Granite is a natural stone that comes directly from stone quarries; it is cut into slabs and polished. This process uses a lot of energy and is less environmentally friendly.

Granite is known for its beautiful veining features; some have more than others. 

Each slab is unique and different, some have natural flecks of mica within the stone that sparkle.

Granite has over 3000 colors and variations; white, black, gray, and beige are the most commonly used.

It is more resistant to heat.

Granite can stain if not properly sealed.

It can be prone to chip more easily than quartz.

Granite is usually less expensive than quartz.

Because granite is a natural stone, it will require maintenance. It comes sealed upon delivery. You will need to reseal your granite as recommended by your countertop professional, usually every 1-3 years.

Granite can be easily cleaned with warm soap and water.

What is a quartz countertop?

Quartz countertops are a man-made stone by blending 90% ground quartz stone with about 10% percent resins, polymers, and pigments. This forms a hard granite-like surface. This process is more environmentally friendly.

This material is formed under intense heat and pressure into a solid slab, which can be cut down to size. This process makes quartz more durable than granite.

Quartz is a rock crystal in white, citrine yellow, amethyst purple, and rose quartz. It can come with variations of brown and green.

Colors and varieties of quartz are limitless; some quartz countertops are made to look like granite and marble. They can add flecks of color or sparkle such as mica or glitter. Quartz can be custom-made to your specifications.

It is more resistant to staining and does not chip easily; excessive heat can damage quartz, always use a heating pad.

Quartz countertops do not have to be resealed.

It is often more expensive than granite.

Quartz can easily be cleaned with warm soapy water.

Granite and quartz are both excellent products. They are the most popular selections for countertops due to both being very durable and beautiful!

At the end of the day, it will come down to what you like, what colors are available and the maintenance you feel comfortable with. You can search for more information on kitchen countertops on Pinterest. See with the Dean Cabinetry team had to say about Quartz vs. Granite countertops.