Whether you’re remodeling your kitchen or your bathroom, the two most popular choices for a countertop are granite and quartz. When it comes down to the nitty-gritty of making the decision, many homeowners get stuck between these two materials.

Both have plenty to offer a remodel, and both materials can be counted on to last for many years in your home. Because both have so many great assets, it can be hard to choose which material suits you and your remodel better.

This article will help you understand the ways in which granite and quartz are alike and in what ways they’re different, so you have all the information you need to make a decision that you’re proud of.

The Materials—What Are They Made Of?

Granite is a stone that comes directly from the earth, and it’s 100 percent natural. It’s sourced from stone quarries and cut into thin slabs, then polished and fabricated into the countertops that you’re familiar with.

Quartz is an engineered stone that contains about 95 percent natural quartz and 5 percent polymers and resins that seal up its natural pores. The slabs are formed from stone byproducts that are ground up and molded into slabs for countertops.

The Appearances

As for granite, every stone is unique. The earth never creates two slabs that are exactly alike. Quartz doesn’t come with that quality, though; it looks more uniform and seamless because it’s a man-made product. It comes in a wide variety of styles—some that mirror the look of granite and other natural stones, and others that don’t.

If you’re dead set on natural stone and its unique look, then you might lean toward granite. If you’re not hung up on the look of natural stone and want something that’s more predictable, then quartz is right up your alley.

The Cost

Since you’re getting such a high-quality material with both granite and quartz, you’re going to pay for that investment. If you’re on a tight budget, then you may want to look around for a more economical countertop choice.

In general, granite is a tad more expensive than quartz. Because of quartz’s rising popularity, the price of basic slabs has gone down, and the price of higher-quality, more unique slabs has gone up, though.

If you’re looking for exact prices from Sanford Granite, get in touch with us, and we can talk about the cost of our granite and quartz slabs.

Installation

Neither granite nor quartz is suitable to install on your own. Both of these materials are very heavy, and if you try to install them on your own, it’s not only possible to damage the slab—you could also injure yourself. Spending a large amount of money on your countertop slab only to damage it or rack up a hospital bill is not ideal.

The smartest idea is to hire a professional installer and fabricator like those of us at Sanford Granite to do the job. We can get it done efficiently yet thoroughly to make sure that you get the best result for your remodel.

Durability and Maintenance

Both materials are known for their durability, but quartz has the upper hand because of its inherent nonporous nature. Since granite is a natural stone with no additives included, it’s porous and must be resealed periodically. Quartz, on the other hand, never needs resealing and maintains its nonporousness throughout its lifespan, remaining resistant to heat, stains, and liquid damage without any outside help.

Both stones are easy to maintain; they only require soap and water in order to get them fresh and clean.

Resale Value

Granite and quartz are high-end stones, and they’re what people are looking for when they’re buying a home. Because so many buyers are interested in stone countertops, having either granite or quartz installed will most likely raise the resale value of your home.

Environmental Factors

Both types of stone countertops are made from natural materials. In granite’s case, it’s entirely natural. In quartz’s case, it’s mostly natural. So with composition, granite wins out over quartz.

But in the sourcing process, quartz is mostly composed of leftover byproducts from other stones, and it doesn’t require any quarrying. Granite, however, requires the earth to be quarried and disturbed.

The Bottom Line—It’s Up to You

As you can see, there are just as many benefits to choosing quartz as there are to choosing granite. The final choice depends mostly on two things: (1) whether you’re up for the task of resealing your countertop periodically or would rather have as little maintenance as possible, and (2) whether you’re interested in the unique patterns and colorations of natural stone or more interested in playing it safe with quartz’s uniformity.

The final choice is up to you, but if you’d like further help deciding, give Sanford Granite a call at (321) 578-9329 for a consultation.