Quartz or Granite Countertops? Here’s How to Choose

Selecting the right countertop is one of the most visually impactful decisions you make in your kitchen.

Selecting the right countertop is one of the most visually impactful decisions you make in your kitchen. It is necessary to choose a countertop that fits your lifestyle, your budget, and your kitchen goals. Let’s explore two of the most beautiful, popular, and high-end countertop choices available today: quartz and granite.

Quartz Countertops

Quartz is an engineered stone containing roughly 90 to 95 percent ground natural quartz and five to 10 percent polymer resins. The ground quartz is natural and mined directly but is bound with synthetic resins, which form quartz slabs. Quartz is durable, non-porous, and water-resistant.

Quartz Countertop Pros

Quartz does not require any sealant or maintenance after it is installed.
Quartz is more resistant to bacteria. It is non-porous, which means it will not soak up spills and better repels mold, bacteria, and mildew.
Quartz slabs cover more surface area and thus use fewer slabs and reduce unsightly seams.
Quartz is more environmentally friendly when you use regionally manufactured stone and local fabricators.
Quartz is available in a variety of colors, patterns, and styles.

Quartz Countertop Cons

Quartz is not 100% natural, which matters to some homeowners.
Because it is engineered, quartz slabs are not unique.
Quartz can be damaged by excessive heat.
Resins from quartz contain chemicals that can emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are pollutants that can decrease your indoor air quality.

Quartz countertops require professional installation and are not DIY.
Quartz is unsuitable for outdoor kitchens because direct UV rays will damage or discolor the stone.

Granite Countertops

Granite is a hard, natural stone mined from quarries around the world. It is extracted as large rocks, cut down to a manageable size, and polished. Granite comprises many natural materials, including quartz, feldspar, and mica. Each piece is unique in its cut, creation, and composition.

Granite Countertop Pros

Granite is 100% natural and provides your kitchen with a natural, earthy look.
Granite is unique. It comes in various colors and patterns and can be a standout signature piece. No two slabs are the same.
Granite is highly durable and resistant to heat, scratches, and moderate impact.
Granite is all-natural and does not release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and decrease your indoor air quality.

Granite Countertop Cons

Granite is relatively porous and requires sealing upon installation and again every one to three years.
Granite slabs may have inherent flaws in the stone that make them more prone to cracking.
Granite countertops require professional installation and are not DIY.
Granite slabs cover less surface area than quartz, meaning you will need to purchase more slabs and have more unsightly seams for large projects.

Granite is less environmentally friendly than quartz. It is quarried, which takes a lot of energy, and usually shipped from abroad, which uses a lot of energy in transportation. Using indigenous stone or salvage shops can be a more environmentally friendly route.
Granite is unsuitable for outdoor kitchens because direct UV rays will damage or discolor the stone.

3 Things to Remember Before You Choose a Countertop

There are three main factors that homeowners consider when choosing a countertop. These factors ultimately help the homeowner decide on a countertop.

Style

Another significant factor in deciding on countertop material is your desired style. Granite, by nature, has a signature, earthy feel to it. With its swirling patterns and unique designs, granite slabs usually become the signature piece in your kitchen and don’t require a lot of complementing textures and patterns to be paired with it. On the other hand, quartz offers a more minimalist look that works better with patterned backsplashes or flooring.

Both quartz and granite come in a range of colors, patterns, and styles and offer a classic, timeless look to your kitchen. You simply need to decide what style you want for your kitchen. With granite, it may take a little more hunting to get what you want.

Durability

When planning for your countertops, you also want to consider durability. Quartz and granite are both hard, durable stones that are not damaged easily and last a long time.

Think about your home’s occupants. How many people will use the kitchen? Do you have young kids at home? How much care do you want to put into keeping up your countertops? If your kitchen has high use daily, you may want to consider investing more in countertops that will last, are easy to clean, and are not damaged easily.

Maintenance

Quartz and granite countertops require little maintenance once installed and clean easily with soap and water. Granite needs a sealant every one to three years to keep the stone from becoming too porous and soaking in stains, bacteria, and mold. As you consider high-use areas such as kitchen and bathroom countertops, decide if you want to invest more upfront for less maintenance and cleaning later.

Visit Arive’s Design Center Today

If you want to build a home in Utah or are looking at homes for sale in Spanish Fork, Arive Homes builds high-quality homes at an affordable price. If you have started the building process with us, stop by Arive Home’s Design Center, located in Spanish Fork, to view all of the options in person. You can visit our Design Center with a scheduled appointment to see and feel your countertop options and get a better idea of what you would like in your new home. It’s never too early to start planning!