10 Nov Granite or Quartz Worktops?
Are you weighing up granite or quartz worktops? When you’ve made most of the decisions on your kitchen design and come to the worktops, this element can often take a little longer to mull over! Especially if you like the idea of using stone. Debating over granite and quartz is a common conundrum because from appearances and cost, the two are quite aligned. However, there are key similarities and differences between the two to understand before making your choice.
Granite and quartz both look like natural stone and are really quite equal in terms of performance and hard-wearing qualities.
Composition
Granite is 100% pure, natural stone. It is mined in large slabs, cut into sheets and polished giving it that trademark shine. As you’d expect with a natural product derived from rock, each piece is unique. They might be subtle but there will be differences in each slab.
Quartz is the great pretender! It looks like natural stone but it is in fact manufactured. Quartz worktops are comprised of crushed quartz, coloured pigments or elements and resin to bind the materials together. Due to patterns and colours being manufactured rather than naturally occurring, there’s a wide choice of tone and style, and more uniformity between pieces. Additionally, rather than the polished stone of granite, quartz worktops have more of a sheen.
Practicalities
Hard wearing
Both granite and quartz are extremely durable and you can expect both to last very well for many years in your home. With their durable qualities, the surfaces don’t scratch or mark easily but where they do differ is their porous qualities. Granite won’t stain but it is a porous material so it does need to be sealed to stop liquids penetrating and seeping in.
As a manufactured product, quartz is non-porous so extremely stain resistant with liquid spillage. Being non-porous, quartz worktops are very hygienic to work on too.
They can also be differentiated by their heat resistance qualities. Granite can handle extreme heat and can therefore be situated next to a cooker and take a hot pan directly onto its surface. However, with quartz it is always recommended to use a trivet for hot pans to avoid the risk of thermal shock to the surface which can result in fractures. Despite being slightly less heat resistant than granite with hot pans, it is still extremely robust and can be used next to hobs safely.
Continuity
For the most seamless look across your worktop, quartz will work best. With the manufactured material, it is easier to make the seams between each sheet very discreet, especially if you have chosen a darker tone and solid colour.
As previously mentioned, each slab of granite will be unique and therefore harder to get a completely seamless worktop. But if you love the unique properties of granite, embrace them and don’t be put off by worktop seams!
Care
To take care of granite for the long term, clean it only using a PH neutral cleaning product or warm water. High alkaline-based cleaning products can damage the stone.
Quartz is hardier when it comes to cleaning, but avoid abrasive cleaning pads to maintain its lovely sheen.
Comparable qualities
With the two products being similar in price, you are not choosing a more expensive or superior product over another. It is really about making a choice over natural stone or engineered stone to create the look you want in your kitchen.
Whatever your preference, quartz or granite, they both have a really timeless quality to them. To be honest we can’t pick a favourite either. We love the deep veining patterns you can choose in quartz which look fabulous when continued up into your splashback. Equally the unique properties of the patterns and flecks in granite make it very special in every kitchen. To see both types of worktops in real kitchens, head to our Projects page, or if you want to talk it through with us, give us a call on 01342 313 133.
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