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From Durability to Aesthetics: Breaking Down the Differences Between Granite and Quartz Worktops

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Difference between Granite and Quartz

When it comes to choosing the perfect worktop for your kitchen, there are few materials as popular and durable as granite and quartz. Both options offer a range of benefits that make them a top choice for homeowners and designers alike. However, with so many similarities, it can be difficult to decide which material is right for you. In this article, we’ll break down the key differences between granite and quartz worktops, from their durability and maintenance requirements to their unique aesthetic qualities. Whether you’re renovating your kitchen or simply looking for inspiration for your next project, we’ve got you covered. So, let’s dive in and explore the world of granite and quartz worktops!

What are Granite and Quartz Worktops?

Granite and quartz worktops are two of the most popular materials for kitchen worktops. Granite is a natural stone that is quarried from the earth and cut into slabs. Quartz, on the other hand, is a man-made engineered stone that is made by combining quartz crystals with resin and pigments.

Both materials are known for their durability, and they both offer a range of benefits that make them a top choice for homeowners and designers. Granite is prized for its natural beauty and unique patterns, while quartz is known for its uniform appearance and versatility.

Differences in Durability Between Granite and Quartz

When it comes to durability, both granite and quartz worktops are extremely strong and long-lasting. However, there are some key differences between the two materials.

Granite is a natural stone that is extremely hard and scratch-resistant. It is also heat-resistant, which makes it a great choice for cooking and baking. However, because it is a natural stone, it is porous and requires regular sealing to prevent stains.

Quartz, on the other hand, is a man-made engineered stone that is non-porous and does not require sealing. It is also extremely hard and scratch-resistant, but it is not heat-resistant and can be damaged by hot pans or pots.

Differences in Appearance Between Granite and Quartz

When it comes to appearance, both granite and quartz worktops offer a range of unique and beautiful options.

Granite is a natural stone that is available in a wide range of colors and patterns. Each slab is unique, which means that your worktop will be one-of-a-kind. Granite is prized for its natural beauty and is often used as a statement piece in kitchen design.

Quartz, on the other hand, is a man-made engineered stone that is available in a wide range of colors and styles. Because it is man-made, it can be produced in a uniform pattern and color, which makes it a great choice for modern and contemporary kitchen designs.

Maintenance and Cleaning of Granite and Quartz Worktops

When it comes to maintenance and cleaning, both granite and quartz worktops require some care to keep them looking their best.

Granite is a natural stone that is porous, which means that it requires regular sealing to prevent stains. It is also important to clean up spills as soon as they happen to prevent them from penetrating the stone. To clean granite, use a mild soap and warm water, and avoid using abrasive cleaners.

Quartz, on the other hand, is non-porous and does not require sealing. It is also extremely easy to clean and maintain, and can be cleaned with a mild soap and warm water. However, it is important to avoid using abrasive cleaners, as they can damage the surface of the quartz.

Environmental Impact of Granite and Quartz Worktops

When it comes to the environmental impact of granite and quartz worktops, there are some key differences between the two materials.

Granite is a natural stone that is quarried from the earth. While it is a sustainable material, the process of quarrying and transporting the stone can have a significant impact on the environment. In addition, the process of cutting and polishing the stone requires a significant amount of energy and resources.

Quartz, on the other hand, is a man-made engineered stone that is produced using a combination of quartz crystals, resin, and pigments. While it is not a natural material, it is often produced using recycled materials, which makes it a more sustainable option.

Installation Process for Granite and Quartz Worktops

When it comes to installation, both granite and quartz worktops require professional installation to ensure that they are installed correctly and safely.

Granite is a natural stone that is extremely heavy and requires special equipment to transport and install. It is important to work with a professional installer who has experience working with granite to ensure that your worktop is installed correctly.

Quartz, on the other hand, is a man-made engineered stone that is lighter than granite and easier to install. However, it is still important to work with a professional installer who has experience working with quartz to ensure that your worktop is installed correctly.

Choosing Between Granite and Quartz Worktops

When it comes to choosing between granite and quartz worktops, there are several factors to consider.

If you are looking for a natural material that is unique and beautiful, granite may be the right choice for you. However, if you are looking for a more affordable and versatile material, quartz may be the better option.

It is also important to consider factors such as durability, maintenance requirements, and environmental impact when making your decision.

Conclusion

In conclusion, both granite and quartz worktops offer a range of benefits that make them a top choice for homeowners and designers. While there are some key differences between the two materials, the decision ultimately comes down to personal preference and specific needs.

Whether you choose granite or quartz, it is important to work with a professional installer to ensure that your worktop is installed correctly and safely. With the right care and maintenance, your granite or quartz worktop will provide you with a beautiful and functional addition to your kitchen for years to come.

Quartz v Granite Worktops: 5 Facts you should consider before buying

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Are you stuck for which way to go with your kitchen?

Have you already looked through various websites and still finding no definitive answer?

Is a professional guide the solid piece of advice you need to make a decision?

If you answered yes to any of the above you must read the following 5 facts before purchasing worktops for your dream kitchen.

  • Fact 1: The actual difference between granite and quartz.

Granite is formed from the crystallisation of magma just below the earth’s surface, its mineral composition can vary a lot which is why the pattern and colour can be so different from region.  This Granite is then processed into slabs which are polished with diamond tipped tools to give it sheen.

In a similar manner to granite, quartz also forms from the crystallisation of magma, this quartz crystal is mined from the ground then reduced to fine sand and combined with a resin that will bind the particles together; this fills the gaps in the worktop surface which leads to its anti bacterial properties.

granite quarry

Despite sharing many similarities such as glossy feel and resilience their differences are detectable, granite is slightly more susceptible to scratches and requires sealing every decade whereas quartz requires no such maintenance.

Also quartz has the added advantage of being anti bacterial allowing the user to prepare food directly on the surface without hesitation.

  • Fact 2: Durability matters.

Durability is more than the strength of the worktop; it includes stain resistance, resistance to cutting or scratches, heat, abrasion and impacts.

This is why you need to think about how you use your kitchen, on a daily basis, to decide which material will be the best fit for your needs.

Quartz worktops have the advantage of being the more durable worktop overall due to quartz worktops being an engineered material. This means it will always have the benefit of not relying on nature to become stronger, however granite is not to be taken lightly considering how closely they both ranked for best worktops (see table below).

  • Fact 3: You get what you pay for.

Whilst materials like laminate can be seen as a cheaper alternative when compared to the cost of granite and quartz, they have a much shorter lifespan. Putting quartz or granite in your house is a long term investment, as with proper care, they can last over 25 years. However, this does depend on the material you choose. Darker granites tend to be more durable than lighter variants, so you will need to consider this when making your choice. Although this is not the case for the more durable quartz where all quartz colours are equally durable because of the way they are engineered.

Although, even with quartz, you need to make sure you don’t just go for the cheapest as some lesser known brands are known, within the industry, for being susceptible to marking and damage much easier than their more expensive genuine European Breton S.p.A quartz counterparts.

  • Fact 4: You only have to please yourself.

The answer to this question is definitely one of personal choice. However, if you are looking for consistency then quartz is for you. There is little variation in tone and shade in quartz slabs, whereas with granite slabs there is a much greater margin meaning no two pieces of worktop in your kitchen will be identical.

In my opinion however, if you want a timeless or even classic feel then granite is for you. With its wonderful veining and natural swirls our granite worktops really feel like magnificent masterpieces. Although for sleek modern looks, quartz is king. With its smooth and consistent colours, it will add that finishing touch to your contemporary kitchen area.

Kashmir White granite worktops with a classical kitchen

But as always there are exceptions as there are some dark granite installations that look just as suave as any quartz and there are new quartz designs being made to imitate the character of granites. This is why I leave that decision to the customer.

  • Fact 5: Not every fitter will do a good job.

With most industries there is an art to perfect whether it is perfectly seasoned food, the reliability of an algorithm, the efficiency of an athlete in physical sports and in the granite/quartz industry this can be difficult to notice which will often be a costly error; however we can provide some good points to note when choosing a supplier.

  • Cutting corners by using hand held tools and manufacturing the worktops on site allows more margins for human error.
  • Off cuts are the remains of slabs that were not used by previous customers, therefore colours may be mismatched in your kitchen.
  • Quartz that does not come from genuine producers will be inferior in most regards in comparison to the real stuff sold by the few suppliers in the UK.

You can check whether your potential supplier will be doing things the right way by checking their reviews online.

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