“What do you think, quartz or granite?”

This is one of the questions our team often hears before homeowners begin a kitchen remodel. 

So, what’s best?

When choosing between these two smart and beautiful options, naturally what’s most important is choosing the right surface for you.

After all, not everyone is an aspiring chef, and we all use our kitchens in unique ways. What’s aesthetically pleasing depends on the individual, and what’s beautiful to your next door neighbor may be boring or unattractive to you. To make the right choice for your personal needs, consider the pros and cons before you sign on the dotted line.

Quartz

Pros: Quartz is manufactured from natural minerals and resin mixed with color additives. There are abundant color and design options, it’s durable, maintenance is easy, and it’s very unlikely to crack, chip or stain.  It emits less than less to zero radon, and also offers the advantage of a seamless installation.

Cons: Quartz isn’t heat-proof like some other options, so you can’t put anything hot on the surface. It can also be scratched, so you’ll need to use cutting boards for any slicing. If you happen to damage your quartz counter, it’s pretty tough to repair and might need to be replaced.

Granite

Pros: Less expensive than quartz, granite is a natural stone product. Each slab has a unique pattern and there are a variety of colors to complement your palette. Unlike quartz, granite is hard to scratch, but; if you slice and dice on it, your knives will become dull in no time. If properly sealed, you can also put most hot cookware on the surface. If granite is damaged, it’s fairly easy to repair.

Cons: Granite does emit low levels of radon, and whether it poses a potential risk has been the subject of debate for over a decade. If you have concerns, it’s best to do research and draw your own conclusions. Another consideration is that because granite is slightly porous, you will need to have the surface sealed after installation and perform maintenance sealing about once a year.

To read about other options besides quartz and granite, read our blog post, ‘Kitchen Countertops: When You Don’t Want the Same Old, Same Old’.

To see more kitchen photos for ideas and inspiration, visit our portfolio.