Choose quartz if you want low maintenance and a consistent look: it never needs sealing and resists stains. Choose granite if you want a one-of-a-kind natural stone that handles hot pans well, and you don't mind sealing it. Both are durable, popular choices for kitchens and bathrooms.
Granite and quartz are two of the most popular countertop materials in kitchen and bathroom remodels. Both are excellent choices, but they differ in ways that matter day to day. Here's how they compare.
What Is Granite?
Granite is a natural stone, formed when molten rock cools and hardens deep in the earth. It's quarried around the world, cut into slabs, polished, and comes in a wide range of colors and patterns.
Advantages of granite
- One of a kind. Every slab has its own pattern and color variation, so no two granite countertops look exactly alike.
- Durable and heat-tolerant. Granite resists scratches and handles hot pots and pans well.
- A natural, high-end look. Granite adds a sense of luxury to a kitchen or bath.
- Easy to clean. It needs sealing to keep resisting stains, but otherwise it's simple to care for.
What Is Quartz?
Quartz countertops, also called engineered stone, are made from natural quartz crystals bound with resin. The mix is pressed into slabs and cured into a solid surface that looks like natural stone.
Advantages of quartz
- Consistent color and pattern. Quartz looks uniform from slab to slab, which makes it easier to match with cabinets, tile and the rest of the room.
- Durable and stain-resistant. Quartz resists scratches and stains. Use trivets for hot pans, since high heat can mark the resin.
- No sealing, ever. Quartz is non-porous, so it never needs sealing.
- Hygienic. The non-porous surface resists bacteria and mold, which suits kitchens and bathrooms.
- Lots of options. Because it's engineered, quartz comes in a huge range of colors, including many that mimic marble and other natural stone.
How to Choose Between Granite and Quartz
It comes down to your taste and how you use the room:
- Look. If you love unique natural patterns, granite wins. If you want a clean, consistent look, choose quartz.
- Maintenance. If low maintenance matters most, quartz is the clear choice. No sealing, and it's easy to clean.
- Heat. If you often set hot pans straight on the counter, granite is more forgiving.
- Budget. Both vary in price. Granite has a wider range depending on how rare the stone is, so compare a few options.
- Style. Both work in traditional and modern kitchens. Think about the whole room, not just the counters.
See Them in Person
Countertops are easier to choose when you can see the slabs side by side. In our design-build process, you pick your countertops with a designer at our Raleigh showroom after a free in-home measure. See kitchen remodeling and bathroom remodeling for how we work.