Is Quartz Better Than Granite Countertops?
If you are an avid watcher of homebuilding or home improvement shows, you’ve no doubt enjoyed watching the quartz vs. granite countertops debate at least a few times. Which side were you rooting for? And do you really know why you prefer one over the other?
It’s easy to make a comparison and come to a conclusion about the topic if you take time to examine a few characteristics of each type of countertop, it won’t be difficult to make a decision.
Durability
- Quartz countertops, which are made of 95% quartz and 5% resins, offer a super-hard surface. It’s harder than granite and most users find it to be nearly indestructible. Chips and scratches hardly ever happen and clean-up is a breeze. There’s also no need to seal it at installation or later during its lifetime. Just beware of putting hot items directly on the quartz as that can cause some damage.
- Granite countertops are hard as well, but not as hard as quartz. While it IS heat resistant, it’s porous nature means it can be easily stained and could remain stained if clean-up doesn’t happen pronto. A high-impact blow to your granite countertops, like dropping something heavy on them, can also result in damage.
Appearance
- Quartz countertops can be just about anything you want them to be! It has the look of stone, like granite and marble, but you can customize it with colors, sparkle, and more. That makes the selection process pretty easy and you’ll have a lot of choices.
- Granite countertops can be colorful and vibrant too, but because what you see is what you get. In other words, when you choose a granite slab, that’s the piece you get for your countertops. No enhancements are made. That means it might take you a while to find the right piece of granite for your countertops.
Maintenance
- Quartz countertops are a breeze to maintain, which makes them a sure thing with lots of homeowners. Just wipe them down once a day with mild soap and warm water. As with any surface, clean up stains immediately, though quartz is less likely to stain than granite or marble.
- Granite can be high maintenance. These countertops need to be sealed when installed and most manufacturers suggest they be sealed again once a year. Stains should be cleaned up immediately as liquids can seep into the stone’s pores, causing permanent staining.
Healthy
- Quartz countertops are better for your family’s health as they are non-porous and do not absorb liquids from raw food or anything else that could eventually cause bacteria to form and make you/them sick.
- Granite countertops, in contrast, are porous and absorb liquids quickly. That doesn’t only promote the growth of bacteria but also means staining is much more likely.
Price
- HomeGuide says the average price of quartz countertops is about $50-$70 per square foot and installation is about the same, so total price will depend on the size of your project.
- Slab granite generally costs about $40-$60 per square foot but because more work needs to be done to get it ready for installation and additional sealing, etc. once it’s installed, labor tends to be more costly.
In conclusion, it’s easy to understand why quartz countertops are the choice of many 21st century homeowners who care about price, aesthetics, and the health of their home.