Granite Vs Quartz Worktops

Kitchen countertops are available in a variety of materials and it is advisable that one chooses them as per the requirement and usage. Among the many types available on the market, two of the most common are granite and quartz. They are both quite different in terms that granite is a natural stone while quartz is engineered stone. They both have their own pros and cons and to help you decided which one is the best, we have prepared a detailed comparison of Granite Vs Quartz worktops. Read more worktop comparisons here before you select your ideal worktop.

	Granite	Quartz
Pricing	Entry level prices are around £230 / Linear meter (Inc Fabricating, Vat & Fit)	Entry level prices are around £230 / Linear meter (Inc Fabricating, Vat & Fit)
Colour options	Available in a wide array of colours, exotic granites are often unmatched.	Large variety of coloured textures available. Not many options in Solid colour like White & Black.
Warmth	Granite is usually cold because of its natural stone like property.	Slightly warmer than Granite because of resins.
Maintenance	Granite has porous nature which makes it more difficult to keep clean, and is also more vulnerable to stains and spills. It requires sealing every year.	Quartz is fairly low maintenance. It is naturally resistant to moisture and stains and requires no maintenance. Polishing may be required every year.
Looks	Granite has more design variants. It has random markings and each piece looks unique.	It is an Engineered Stone and has a uniform pattern. More interior designers are preferring Quartz over granite now.
Heat Resistance	Granite is fairly more heat resistant and does better in outdoor conditions.	Though fairly heat resistant Quartz cannot match granite and fades on exposure to direct sunlight and excessive heat.

What is Granite?

Granite counters are mined from pure stone. The stone is sawed into slabs or made into tiles and then polished for installation.

What is Quartz?

Quartz worktops are not pure Quartz; rather a melange of materials similar to it. This a mixture of hard materials like marble, mirrors, glass, quartz, etc bound tightly together by binding resins. That is why quartz worktops are often referred to as cultured stone or engineered stone and that is a more apt name for the material.

Granite Vs Quartz worktops

Physical looks

Colour Options: Both granite and quartz have a wide range of colour options available. Granite being a purely natural material has an advantage of uniqueness. Due to the random patterns and natural formations, it is rare that any two granite worktops will be identical. Quartz has more colour variants since it is produced with pigments added to the quartz. However, solid colours like white and black are rare. Quartz has a brilliant finish but being an engineered material it has a uniform nature. So, two people buying the same colour Schteiff Worktop will end up having identical work surfaces.

Cost of Granite Vs Quartz worktops

Quartz is usually the more cost effective option as there are a wide range of brands in comparison to granite.

Durability

In terms of durability, quartz wins the game clearly as granite can chip and break. Besides, granite is a natural material which gives it striking beauty and some weaknesses too. It needs to be sealed at installation and resealed on a regular basis. Granite, being a natural stone, stains easily. Quartz, on the other hand, does not require this level of care. While they are both said to have a life of about 20-25 years, it ultimately depends on the level of care that they are provided with.

Popular options for buying Quartz and Granite worktops in UK :

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