Granite or Quartz for Kitchen Worktops? Top 10 Pros & Cons

Granite or quartz, an everlasting battle between the two materials which makes many homeowners and designers argue. But that comes with a reason, kitchen worktops are an investment and you want the most bang for your buck. However, the answer to the question is not as simple, because you need to consider many aspects. You need to consider what you are looking for from a kitchen worktop and your manners of use.

Continue reading and find out the top pros and cons of these two materials and decide which one will be better for you.

1. Resistance to staining

This is one of the most important attributes of any material which you are planning to use for kitchen worktops. Luckily, both materials have good performances in this area, with quartz being better. Quartz is a completely non-porous material, which means it is almost impossible to stain. Granite, although is porous, can get stained but not that easy.

2. Resistance to heat

The second most important characteristic is heat resistance; built-in cooktops are very popular nowadays and you’ll want a material that can handle it. Again, both materials have good performances in this area, but granite wins this one. Quartz can get discolourations when exposed to heat, so make sure to always use mats when placing hot kitchenware.

3. Durability

These stones are very durable and are equally as strong. This makes them perfect for high traffic areas such as kitchens.

4. Maintenance

The cleaning of both materials is handled the same; just make some soapsuds and wipe your worktops. However, the difference is that you will not have to seal your quartz worktops, because they are already non-porous. Make sure to seal granite every 3-6 months, to prevent the liquids from staining the material.

5. Price

On average, quartz worktops are a bit more affordable than granite worktops. The prices for both are varying from colour to colour, so make sure to contact your supplier and ask for a quote.

6. Desing options

Quartz, as a manufactured stone, has more colour and design options. It can even look like granite or marble. However, granite is still a beautiful stone and its beauty is unmatched by some.

7. Scratch resistance

Granite is a favourite in this category because it will not get scratched even if you cut directly on it. However, that is not advised with quartz, because it has softer resins. Still, your quartz worktops won’t get damaged by everyday use.

8. UV sensitivity

As we mentioned, quartz has resins which are unstable when exposed to constant Uv rays. This is why it is advised to only use quartz indoors or where it has shading. Granite doesn’t have such restrictions.

9. Appearance

Quartz has a more consistent look because of its engineered nature. Granite has more unpredictable and unique patterns.

10. Resell value

If you are planning to resell your home, both materials can increase the value of your property significantly.

Granite and quartz are similar materials, but in some key areas, they are different. The biggest difference is in their resistance to staining and heat, so you should consider which is more important to you. Other aspects as well can be a factor in the decision, however, you won’t go wrong with either of the two stones.

Need more help choosing between granite and quartz for your kitchen worktops? Please feel free to contact us or visit InovaStone's showroom and we will be happy to help you.