Granite vs Quartz Kitchen Worktops
All you need to know about Granite and Quartz Kitchen Worktops including maintenance and installation costs, suitability, appearance and overall value.
Both granite and quartz have their benefits when you are deciding which of the two materials you should install for your new worktop in the kitchen. Granite is more luxurious, is unique, and it is a material which holds its form well. Quartz, on the other hand, is easier to work with, isn't prone to damage, and is far less costly of the two material options. If you are ready to update your kitchen worktop, this simple guide can help point you in the right direction, and help you ultimately choose which of the two materials is best, for your new worktop.
Pros & Cons of Granite
Granite is quarried naturally from large chunks of stone. If appearance is something you highly value, then you are bound to love this material when it comes to choosing a new worktop for your kitchen. They are not filled/mixed (unlike quartz which is generally mixed with a resin filler), in order to bind and hold their shape.
Granite worktops are going to have their own distinct appearance. Even if they are cut from the same stone, and formed in the same production line, each will have its own distinct look. This is something that can't be replicated, and for those who highly value a distinct look and appearance, then granite is the ultimate material you want to choose when the time comes to have a contractor install and fit your new worktop in the kitchen.
Even though it is the luxurious option, granite also does have a few drawbacks you should consider when you are deciding whether or not you are going to install it in the kitchen. Granite has to be sealed; and, it has to be resealed every few years after it is installed. This is done to retain the shape, avoid damage, and keep the stone as durable as possible. So, it will cost more up front, and more to maintain, over the years.
Granite is more durable, but if it is damaged, it is hard to cover up those imperfections. They show up extremely well, small nicks and scratches are visible on granite surfaces. Granite is also extremely expensive, so for larger worktops, the cost can add up very quickly. Although they are unique, and have their beautiful characteristics, if you are on a budget, you really have to take the time to shop around, to find an affordable contractor, when installing a new granite worktop in the kitchen.
- Granite is unique; no two granite slabs will look exactly alike.
- The stone retains its shape well over time.
- It is luxurious, and it is going to stand out in any kitchen space you choose to install it in.
- It is very costly, and maintenance is more difficult than with quartz.
- Granite shows damage, nicks, and scratches more easily.
- It has to be resealed frequently which adds to the cost of owning and maintaining the worktop.
Estimated Material Cost
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Approximate Granite Kitchen Worktops Material Cost /
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Pros & Cons of Quartz
Quartz countertops are similar to granite in the simple fact that they have a gorgeous appearance. However, they are not as durable, the stone is not as sturdy, and they are filled, which is not the case with the granite material. Quartz has to be blended with a resin material in order to hold it together. Although it uses about 93% stone and only 7% resin, it is not as sturdy, nor is it as durable as the granite rock sheets which are used in granite. Nor is it as luxurious in the final appearance and texture, as is the case with granite.
Quartz can be blended to form several different shapes, textures, and color varieties. So, if you want something that is easy to match with the decor in your kitchen, it is a great material option for you to consider when choosing a new worktop. Quartz is also more flexible; it is not prone to damage, it resists the nicks and cuts easily, and it does not show wear and tear as much as granite will. And, it is also the cheaper of the two.
Some of the drawbacks include the fact that it is mixed with resin, so requires a binding agent, to hold it together. Quartz is very heavy, so it requires professional installation, additionally, the quartz is going to begin to show signs of discoloration over time. So, you will have to replace them more often, and they are not as durable as the granite material is going to be.
Although it is the cheaper of the two options, if you are considering quartz for your new kitchen worktop, you should also consider the drawbacks, in order to ensure it is the right material, and best for the intended uses, in your kitchen space and home.
- Choose from various colors, textures, and patterns.
- It holds its form well.
- Quartz will not show signs of nicks and scratches like granite will.
- Quartz is very heavy so it has to be professionally installed.
- Quartz requires regular maintenance.
- After a few years, it can begin to show signs of discoloration.
Estimated Material Cost
Budget Quality ( area in m2 )
Medium Quality ( area in m2 )
Premium Quality ( area in m2 )
Total:
Approximate Quartz Kitchen Worktops Material Cost /
£ 0
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Ongoing Costs & Maintenance
Both quartz and granite are costly, however, granite is far higher in price than quartz. So, if you are working on a larger worktop, and if you are on a tight budget when you are ready to install it, quartz is the better of the two materials for you to consider. It is not only a cheaper upfront investment when you are ready to install it, but it is also going to cost less in terms of maintenance. Although it does discolor over time, it is cheaper to resurface, and it does not require as much maintenance as the granite material will.
In addition to this, you don't have to worry about scratches or nicks, which are highly visible in a granite material. And, you can simply wipe down the quartz, and you don't have to resurface it as often as with granite. Ultimately, granite is the more luxurious of the two materials. However, if you want something that is easier to care for and to maintain, and if you are looking for a cheaper option, which still looks luxurious in the kitchen, quartz is the material which is going to cost less and require less work in your home.
Quartz
Granite
Appearance & Suitability
If you desire luxury, granite is the better of the two materials to choose from, when you are upgrading your kitchen space. It is not mixed, nor is it blended; and, the natural stone is never going to look exactly like another granite countertop. The simple fact that each worktop is pressed in a different manner, gives it its own distinct look and feel. And, the higher quality finishes and texture, also give the granite countertop a finer, more refined looking appearance, in any kitchen which you choose to install it into.
Granite is not as suitable, however, as quartz. It is prone to more damage, it can show signs of wear, and it is harder to care for and maintain. Ultimately, quartz doesn't require as much maintenance, nor does it cost as much for you to install and care for, as the granite worktop is going to cost.
If you plan on using the space regularly, quartz is the better option. If, however, you want something decorative, and are careful around the materials, if you can budget it accordingly, and prefer the luxurious look and feel, granite is the superior material you should consider, when installing a new worktop.
Quartz
Granite
Additional Considerations
How often do you cook? Do you have kids over? And, can you budget accordingly when doing work in the kitchen. You have to ask all of these questions when trying to decide if quartz or granite is the better of the two materials, for your new kitchen worktop. You not only want something that looks good, but also a material which is functional, is easy to work around, and one which is going to make it easier for you to prepare your meals when you are cooking in the kitchen regularly.
In terms of practicality, the quartz finish is the better of the two materials. It is easier to care for, and it does not require as much maintenance. And, the simple fact that it is the cheaper of the two materials, is something which makes it an attainable finish which many homeowners are going to choose when installing a new worktop in their kitchen.
Becuase there are so many options to choose from, it is important to compare a few contractors, materials, and costs. This will ultimately help you choose the best finishes, and find the right materials when you are ready to install a new worktop in the kitchen.
Quartz
Granite
Overall
For today's modern kitchen and family, quartz seems to be the superior material finish. The ease of care and maintenance, lower cost, and the fact that you can still achieve the luxurious look and finish, for a fraction of the cost, are a few of the many selling points, which attracts so many buyers who are upgrading and doing renovation work in the kitchen of their home.
Quartz is a better option for most kitchens today. It is easy to maintain, it doesn't require as much work, and it is not as prone to the damage, scratches, and nicks. Granite is extremely costly which makes it unaffordable for so many homeowners. Quartz, on the other hand, still looks great, fits in with any decor, and it is a material which is affordable and easy to care for, if you do work in the kitchen often.
Granite
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£ 250per m2
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- Costs & Maintenance
- Appearance & Suitability
- Additional Considerations
Quartz
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£ 200per m2
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- Costs & Maintenance
- Appearance & Suitability
- Additional Considerations
