Granite vs. Quartz Countertops

Granite and Quartz are both great choices for a kitchen, bathroom or bar countertop. The two materials are very similar in price and durability, and choosing often boils down to a few personal preferences. ​

Granite Kitchen Countertop

Granite

• Runs $45 to $250 per square foot installed
• Typical kitchen in the Wichita area will cost between $1500 and $4500
• 100% natural stone
• Scratch Resistant
• Stain Resistant
• High Heat Tolerance
• Has an earthy, organic feel
• More of an elegant look than Quartz
• Patterns aren’t uniform from slab to slab
• Requires sealing and polishing
• Slightly more maintenance than Quartz
• More unique patterns and natural color variations than Quartz
• Similar pricing to Quartz, though high-end and exotic Granite can be expensive
• Porous, water resistant when sealed​

Quartz Bar Top

Quartz

• $45 to $100 per square foot installed
• Typical kitchen in the Wichita area will cost between $1500 and $2500
• Engineered stone -  90-95% natural combined with polymer resins and pigments
• Scratch Resistant
• Stain Resistant
• Good Heat Tolerance, though not as good as Granite (you shouldn’t just set a hot pot on Quartz)
• Harder, more durable than Granite
• Doesn’t require regular sealing or polishing
• More of a modern look than Granite
• Easier to select an match colors than Granite
• Waterproof
• Not for outdoor use, constant outdoor sunlight can fade Granite

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If you’re looking for a more traditional, elegant look or if you like more varied and unique patterns, you’ll prefer Granite. The only cons with Granite are that you have to seal and polish the countertop about once a year, so there are some maintenance costs. High-end and exotic Granite slabs can also be very expensive.

If you want a more modern look, or countertop that require less maintenance, you’ll like Quartz. Quartz countertops aren’t as resilient to heat though, so you’ll have to exercise a little care with very hot objects.

Pricing variations in both types of countertops occur depending how many slabs are required, customizations and the number of cuts required, edge treatments, color and grade.

Granite and Quartz are currently (2019) the most popular countertop material for new homes and remodeling projects in the U.S. Either stone is a great choice and most homeowners are very happy with their selection after they’ve learned which option best fits their home design, budget and lifestyle. 

If you’re looking for design ideas, take a look at our countertop galleries, or visit our Wichita showroom to get some ideas.

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