Granite vs. quartz as an ideal countertop material for kitchen design.
When it is time for a kitchen remodel, many products and materials are available for everything from your kitchen cabinets to hardware to appliances. If a new countertop is part of your kitchen design plans you will need to find a material that fits your style and color scheme while complementing the surrounding cabinetry and backsplash. In this search for the perfect countertop you must also consider other factors such as maintenance, durability, and of course cost. Weigh up all these factors and you may automatically think the classic choice of a granite countertop is a no go.
Granite has always been a popular choice for kitchen countertops with a strong market share in kitchen remodeling. In recent years, however, it has taken a backseat to quartz countertops like the kitchen design in Mason, MI pictured below. Why? The quartz industry has successfully put granite in second place, dubbing it the high maintenance option. While quartz is an excellent option for countertops, nothing beats the beauty and timeless quality of a natural material like granite. Before you make up your mind, explore the pros and cons carefully and consult a kitchen design expert to help you identify the ideal choice for your kitchen remodel. To get you started, let’s examine how granite vs. quartz stacks up in several key areas.
Durability
Quartz has evolved as the scratch and stain resistant favorite due to the chemicals used to make it impervious to liquids. Quartz countertops are man-made, comprised of primarily crushed quartz mixed with a resin binder and color additives. Quartz has the clear benefit of being stain resistant and non-porous, making it a hygienic option that is easily cleaned. Quartz is also more flexible and therefore less likely to crack if something heavy is dropped on it.
Granite may not have the same durability as quartz but with a little bit of care and attention it can hold up just a well. It is a tough and lasting material that will stand up to normal use very well. With proper re-sealing it also provides a liquid and stain resistant surface. You can also use granite outdoors, since this natural material is able to stand up to weather and sun without fading, unlike its man-made counterpart.
Maintenance
Quartz edges ahead of granite in this category. It requires almost zero maintenance because it is stain-resistant without needing to be re-sealed. While granite does not have this innate low-maintenance quality, sealing granite is easy. You simply pour a non-toxic, no odor sealer on the countertop once per year and wipe it off. It’s so easy that this once-a-year step takes about the same amount of time as wiping down your worktop like this dark granite countertop in the kitchen design in Holt, MI shown below. You only need to invest a small amount of time to get the natural beauty of granite.
Price
At the mention of granite countertops most people automatically assume it is the luxury product choice, and therefore the most expensive option. Granite is a classic choice for high-end kitchen remodeling, but it is not necessarily more expensive than quartz. Both products have a range of price options from entry level to premium, and the average price ranges for both are similar. The ultimate price point for your granite or quartz countertop depends on several factors including the color, pattern, and origin in the case of granite. If price is a key factor in your countertop decision, investigate both options and see how your style choice compares in terms of price.
Style
Countertops take up a large surface area in a kitchen design, and therefore easily become a focal point of your style and color scheme. You need to decide what look you are going for and select a countertop material that will stand out on its own, plus complement your kitchen cabinets, backsplash, accessories, and more. Both quartz and granite offer a stylish range of options, but for natural beauty nothing compares to granite.
Granite is Mother Nature’s gift to any home living space with an organic appearance and texture, exciting colors, and one-of-a-kind patterns. Quartz has evolved to mimic a natural stone surface, but is still an engineered product that will never match the natural appeal of granite. It has the benefit of offering a wider range of colors, which can be controlled in the manufacturing process. If you are looking for a monotone countertop in a specific hue, then quartz is your best choice. If, however, you are looking for an unparalleled natural appearance then granite is the way to go.
Both quartz and granite offer excellent options for a kitchen design, but granite will give your kitchen remodel a unique appeal that only a truly natural material can provide. McDaniels carries the largest selection of kitchen and bath design materials in the mid-Michigan area, and we have a team of trained designers ready to help you make the right decision. Make an appointment today and let’s talk about your countertop selection.
