QUARTZ Countertops

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Granite COUNTERTOPS

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How different is quartz

from natural stone

Quartz, a durable and non-porous surface, is increasingly favored for countertops due to its low maintenance and variety of colors. Top suppliers, such as Caesarstone, Silestone, Cambria and many more, ensure high quality. At Integrity Stonework, we pride ourselves on expertly fabricating and installing five-star quartz countertops, meeting our clients' diverse needs with excellence.

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Natural Stone vs. Engineered Stone

At Integrity Stonework, understanding the differences between granite and quartz is essential for making an informed choice for your countertops. Granite, a natural stone, offers unique patterns and robustness, adding timeless beauty to any space. In contrast, quartz, an engineered material, provides consistent color and patterns, along with enhanced resistance to stains and scratches. Depending on your aesthetic preferences and maintenance needs, selecting granite, quartzite, marble, and soapstone can enhance your home’s elegance, while quartz delivers modern durability—each suited to different lifestyles and designs.

AppeArance

The Appearance of Granite and Quartz

Both types have their strong points. Granite shows slight, natural variations in the hue of the stone, with a wide range of colors and patterns. The coloration of quartz is more consistent, and it is available in an even wider array of colors.

Which one looks “better?”

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder here, both are very good looking. As you browse your options, you’ll get a feel for which one you prefer.

Durability

Natural stone, while stunningly attractive, has its drawbacks. It requires sealing at the time of installation and needs to be resealed periodically, though the process is straightforward. Quartz, on the other hand, does not demand such maintenance. Moreover, if not sealed correctly, natural stone countertops, including those made of granite, marble, and quartzite, are prone to staining.

Granite is also more susceptible to cracking or veins slightly opening compared to quartz. Both materials can last between 25 to 50 years, depending on how well they are maintained and used. Given the slight differences in durability, we suggest choosing based on the style and appearance that best fits your space.

cost difference

The Cost of Granite vs. Quartz Countertops

It’s really a toss-up in this category, quartz ranges from $70-$140 per square foot installed and granite starts at about $65 and can go to $175 or slightly higher for exotic material.

natural granite countertops

The Greener Building Material

Natural granite countertops produce fewer carbon emissions during production than quartz countertops. Neither one emits significant amounts of radon or volatile organic compounds. Granite has the slight edge as an ecofriendly building material.

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More Reasons to Consider Granite

Are you still undecided about which is the best choice for your home,? If so, here are some of the additional reasons given by homeowners who chose natural granite over quartz.

Nothing Beats the Real Thing: This is the approach of homeowners who really enjoy having natural materials in their home—they choose solid wood flooring instead of laminate or engineered wood, wool areas rugs instead of nylon. If that sounds like you, you’ll appreciate the natural beauty of granite and see its potential flaws as character.

This really is the chief reason to select granite, slate, limestone or other natural stone over quartz. Some say that quartz is up to 94% natural because of the content of crushed quartz. That’s true, but it’s like saying concrete is natural because its ingredients are found in nature. Like concrete, the quartz is heavily processed, and that takes away the natural feel and turns off some homeowners. When you look at natural stone, you see the striations and slight color changes that make the stone unique. The color and design is real. Quartz countertops feature designs that were engineered into them. Fans of natural materials would rather have a chunk of stone mined from the earth adorning their cabinets and not something whipped up in a factory and artificially colored.

The Bottom Line: If you ultimately decide on natural stone, make the commitment to seal it yourself or have it sealed by a professional on a regular basis. Keep a dishrag handy to clean stains immediately. Pour wine and juice into glasses while holding them over the sink or a table, not the countertop. Don’t leave wet or dirty dishes on them. Taking the extra care required will maintain the natural beauty you want for your home.

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More Reasons to Consider Quartz

Quartz Is Easier to Keep germ free because it is and non-porous. Granite and other natural stones do have pores and tiny capillaries within the minerals that can wick up liquid and result in stains. There’s more: those pores and capillaries can also harbor germs such as bacteria and viruses. The non-porous surface of engineered quartz won’t collect these contaminants, so quartz is a better choice for cleanliness. Properly sealed natural stone does a decent job keeping out germs, but if the sealant breaks down, there can be issues. It’s worth noting that a few of the quartz countertop manufacturers like Silestone and HanStone treat their countertops with a germ-fighting coating that enhances hygiene. In addition germs can be washed off of quartz with milder cleansers while some recommend using harsher cleansers on granite and other natural stones. The ease in maintaining the cleanliness of quartz countertops is one of the primary reasons that they are preferred by parents with young children and also make more sense for the elderly who may be more susceptible to viruses and bacteria.

Some Granite is Dyed: Always ask whether or not the granite you’re considering is dyed. This is most common with black granite samples. Stay away from dyed granite as its color may fade or become blotchy over time, especially in areas that receive more water and cleaning such as food preparation areas. Quartz, because the pigmentation is consistent throughout the material, will remain very colorfast.

conclusion

The Bottom Line

If quartz works just as well for you as natural stone, and you want something that offers more color options and requires less maintenance, are more durable and stain-resistant, then quartz may be right for you. But, if you are drawn to natural stone’s luster and unique characteristics, then the little maintenance is well worth the trade off (as a side note we can also put you in contact with professional sealing companies offering lifetime guarantee for a natural stone worry & maintenance free seal).