How can you distinguish between granite and quartz?

 You may end up overwhelmed in the search for the perfect countertop. Natural stone and engineered stone are usually the only choices when narrowing down the choices. 

Granite or quartz is a personal choice based on your budget, your personal preference, and the project type. Since the difference between the two countertop materials isn't readily apparent, this can be a difficult decision. After all, quartz and granite are among the supremely dense, purely natural materials that are reported to be hard as a stone by the manufacturers of both products.

Your decision about which countertop to choose will likely affect you for a long time. There is a wide variety of quartz and granite countertops available to homeowners. When you walk into the slab yard or showroom, knowing these differences will make you feel like a pro.

Table of content

1. Material composition is the obvious difference

2. Quartz has a more attractive appearance

3. Granitrequiresre more maintenance than quartz

4. Quartz and granite both offer a surplus variety  

5. Some granite is dyed

6. Matter of durability

7. Quartz is more environmentally friendly

8. Granite is slightly more expensive than quartz

1. Material composition is the obvious difference

Quartz, also called engineered stone countertops, are man-made products. The composition involved the grounded natural quartz with other impurities. The other material that is left behind is a durable resin that binds everything all together. However, granite is 100% natural rock that is taken out of the ground, cut to fit, and installed.

2. Quartz has a more attractive appearance

Due to its exceptional variety in appearance, quartz has gained more popularity than granite. It has the look of natural stone that allows most homeowners and designers to customize the design. However, when it comes to granite, also offers many options in terms of appearance. As it is a natural material, you will get what it has to offer.  

3. Granite requires more maintenance than quartz

Granite must be sealed annually to protect its somewhat porous surface against staining and scratching. However, cleanliness is one of the main factors that contribute to many reasons. 

Maintenance of quartz, on the other hand, is almost non-existent. As this material is made up of resin that is a non-porous surface, the countertop needs no sealing or attention. On very rare occasions, where the countertop meets the wall may need to be refreshed.

4. Quartz and granite both offer a surplus variety  

No matter what the design and layout of your kitchen, quartz can make up all kinds of styles. You can find literally anything from deep, rich colors to modern, light patterns. Being a man-made product, limitations are few. Quartz also gives you the opportunity for combining different colors, glass, and resin to resemble granite or marble, or it can be unique to your tastes.

However, granite being a 100% natural product, what you see is what you get. However, each piece of granite encloses different veining conventions and inconsistencies that lend to its magnificence. You can find the patterns and colors ranges from simple to complex. It all depends on the volcanic occasions that took place millions of years ago.

5. Some granite is dyed

Although granite is a natural stone, the dyed copy is also available in the market. Make sure to keep yourself away from dyed granite because, over time, its color may fade. Particularly in locations that get waterlogged more repeatedly. Because the pigmentation is consistent in the composition of quartz throughout the material, it will remain very colorfast.

6. Matter of durability

Undoubtedly, the granite is a natural stone taht has strikingly beautiful, but it does have its imperfections. The stone needs to be sealed at installation and resealed regularly. Quartz doesn’t demand this level of maintenance. 

However, granite countertops that have been sealed with a resin-based product during manufacturing will be more resistant to trouble than standard granite, but still not as resistant as quartz.

7. Quartz is more environmentally friendly

Since quartz is engineered stone, it can be more environmentally friendly than granite. Having a substantial surface, quartz is a great material for the countertop. The concrete surface of quartz makes it super durable in that it does not require being resealed.

8. Granite is slightly more expensive than quartz

It’s really about a toss-up in this category. Granite usually starts at about $80 and can go up to $175 or slightly more for high-end material. Quartz is typically around $80-$140 per square foot installed. However, you can save more money by purchasing from the whole seller. 

Conclusion

Quartz and granite, both are tremendous stones to be used as a countertop material. Based on their characteristics and differences, you can decide on what suits your requirements the best. However, if engineers' stone works just as well for you as natural stone, and you want something that offers more color options and requires lessees,s maintenance, then engineered quartz countertops are durable, stain-resistant, and good-looking choice.