What’s Better: Quartz or Granite?

The two most popular choices when it comes to countertops are quartz and granite. When deciding which one is right for you, there are a lot of elements to consider such as functionality, cost, and durability as well which will look better in your kitchen. It’s also important to note that granite is entirely natural while quartz contains some artificial polymers. Granite is essentially one large chunk of natural rock that is cut down and polished. Quartz is a manufactured surface.  It has polymer resin added to bind the rock crystals into a harder and more durable surface. In order to help you decide which one is right for your kitchen Cosmos Marble and Granite is happy to give you this comparison of the two types of countertops based on factors like cost, durability, and appearance:

Cost

Both granite and quartz are not cheap countertop materials. But, high-quality countertops are a good investment in your kitchen. Quartz is more expensive than granite because quartz is manufactured while granite is made from one large chunk of stone. The difference in price isn’t huge, but quartz is almost always more expensive. If you’re remodeling on a budget, then granite countertops might be a better option for you.

Durability

Durability is the primary concern of most homeowners when they are remodeling their kitchens. Both quartz and granite are designed to last for about 50 years. Both types of countertops are heat resistant, scratch resistant, and able to stand up to the demands of family life. But quartz is slightly more durable. Because quartz countertops are a composite of rock and resin, they are very sturdy. One drawback of granite is that it can sometimes shatter or crack due to the natural veining in the stone.

Quartz is highly stain resistant without needing to be sealed while granite countertops need to be regularly resealed in order to prevent stains. If someone in the house really likes to cook elaborate meals, then quartz may be the better choice as it will stand up to more abuse without staining. But granite, with a naturally cool surface, would be better for someone that loves to bake.

Appearance

Both quartz and granite look beautiful in any kitchen. Because granite is a large piece of natural stone the colors available are all-natural hues and the tones influence the price. Local stone will be cheaper than some other colors that need to be imported. Colored kitchens are becoming very trendy again, and if you want countertops that are highly durable and come in stylish colors, then quartz is the best choice.

Because quartz is a composite material, it is available in many different shades. Most of the high-end blue, green, red, black and other color countertops that you see on design blogs, Pinterest and Instagram are quartz. If you want your kitchen to have a more traditional or natural look the unique pattern of natural granite will be the best choice for you. To see what color quartz and granite countertops are available be sure to look at cosmosmg.com.