When you’re deciding on a countertop for your kitchen or bathroom, two popular options stand out: quartz vs granite. Both have unique advantages that make them great choices. To decide which one is right for you, it’s important to consider a few key factors. Let’s take a closer look!
If you’re looking into new countertops for the first time, it’s easy to feel a bit overwhelmed. There are so many options out there—marble, quartzite, solid surface, and more. But if you’re after something durable and low-maintenance for your kitchen or bathroom, most people narrow it down to two main choices: granite or quartz.
Quartz vs. Granite Countertop
As with any material, the visual differences between quartz vs. granite are a matter of taste. Some people prefer the natural and unique look of granite countertops. Granite countertop colors are typically grouped into ten basic categories: beige, black, blue, brown, burgundy, gray, green, red, yellow, and white. The most popular choice is black, though lighter shades of granite can open up a kitchen. The least common granite colors are red, blue, and green.
Others like the wider variety of patterns and colors offered by quartz countertops. Because it’s manmade, quartz countertops are available in patterns that provide the look of high-end marble at a lower price.
Durability and Longevity
Let’s face it; countertops are expensive. When choosing the right countertop material, you want it to last longer and require less maintenance. If this is your absolute priority, then you’re better off choosing quartz over granite.
One simple reason behind this decision is that granite is a porous material. Because of this, you’ll need to seal it every year. They’re also more likely to crack or damage as compared to quartz countertop. So what makes quartz more favorable?
Quartz countertops undergo a binding process using resins during manufacturing. This process makes quartz resistant to water damage and saves you the hassle of sealing it year after year. Both quartz and granite have a lifespan of 20 to 50 years.
Quartz vs. Granite Countertops: Cost
In the end, it all comes down to money. You might have chosen the best of the best kitchen countertop material, but it also has to fit into your remodeling budget.
To begin with, both quartz and granite are considered to be premium countertop materials. If you’re looking for budget countertop materials for your kitchen remodel or bathroom remodel, you will most likely choose laminate or other lower-range countertop materials.
The average cost of granite countertops is $80 to $180 per sq.ft, and the average cost of quartz countertops is $70 to $140 per sq.ft. The final cost of countertop installation would depend on several factors like size, shape, complexity, local prices, etc.
If you are still confused about how to choose between quartz and granite countertops, let’s make things a bit easier for you.
Maintenance and Repairs for Quartz and Granite Countertops
Because granite is a porous material, it must be resealed yearly. With a proper seal, granite countertops are very resistant to stains. Minor scratches or dings in granite can be filled in with color-matching epoxy or resin from the home improvement store, but professional installers should repair cracks larger than an ice cube.
Quartz countertops are nonporous, which allows the surface to repel coffee, oil, and even food coloring without sealing. Damaged quartz is trickier to repair and should always be done by a professional, which could increase quartz countertops’ overall cost.
Reasons to Consider Quartz
Now that you know the main reasons for choosing granite, let’s look at some of the top reasons for choosing quartz countertops.
The biggest positive of installing quartz countertops is that it saves you the hassle of sealing it and then repeating the sealing process every year. It is non-porous and requires nothing more than regular cleaning.
In the decision of quartz vs granite, the decision is a highly personal one. What works for someone may not work for you. Each of these countertop materials has its pros and cons, and hence, its value depends on your kitchen or bathroom remodeling design and requirements.