Granite vs Quartz worktops: What’s the difference?

Granite vs Quartz, it’s the age-old question for those looking to take their kitchen to the next level. But which should you choose?

Choosing the correct type of stone is essential given that you will likely be living with your choice for many years to come. To help you make sure you make a purchase you love rather than one you regret, we’ve put together this guide to outline some of the key differences between granite worktops and quartz worktops.

Before we break down the differences let’s outline what both quartz and granite are.

What is quartz?

According to Silestone, quartz kitchen worktops are made using natural quartz, which is one of the hardest minerals on earth, before the natural quartz is bonded with polyresin to create stunning finishes that can look great in any kitchen.

What is granite?

Granite is one of the most desirable kitchen worktop materials. Granite has many natural qualities that make it a stand out choice for those looking to enhance their kitchen with natural stone worktops.

Granite is a natural rock that has been formed by nature and can be found in many different colours and patterns across the world.

It is cut in its natural form usually before being polished for use in the home.

Is granite or quartz better for heat resistance?

Whether you’re using granite or quartz as a kitchen worktop, it’s highly likely you’ll be handling hot pots and pans around them, and occasionally you might be tempted to place said hot pan down.

When it comes to heat resistance granite is the winner.

Under high heat quartz worktops can be susceptible to showing burn marks, particularly if you place a hot pan directly on the surface as soon as you remove it from the oven.

Granite is naturally more heat resistant and can handle much higher temperatures than quartz, however, while the stone itself may be able to cope better with hot pots and pans, the treatment that is used to seal a granite worktop may show heat marks so we recommend using a trivet, mat or board to place a hot pan on rather than placing it directly on a quartz or granite worktop.

Is granite more scratch-resistant than quartz?

The resin used within quartz worktops means that it is more likely to show scratches and signs of ware and tear compared to granite.

It is worth noting that under normal use both granite and quartz worktops will be robust, however, dropped pan and knives for example are much more likely to scratch a quartz worktop compared to granite.

Due to granite being one of the hardest materials on earth, in many cases you can use a knife directly on the surface, however, we recommend you always use a chopping board as granite will dull the sharpness of your knives quickly and your worktops will look better for longer if you don’t cut directly on them.

Does granite stain easier than quartz?

No kitchen worktop is completely stain-proof but some are more stain-resistant than others. Granite is naturally porous and it is easier to stain your granite worktop compared to a quartz countertop.

However, if your granite worktop is sealed correctly it will also be highly resistant to stains. It is worth bearing in mind that over time the seal will degrade and this can mean your worktops become less stain-resistant.

When you use Grantech to supply and install your worktops our experts will outline any potential issues you may have as well as recommending the best possible treatments for your worktops.

Granite vs Quartz: which looks better?

This will depend on personal preference and taste, however, both can look stunning. Both are available in a wide range of colours and finishes however when it comes to granite, no two slabs of stone are alike as they are 100 per cent natural stone.

If you’re not sure whether to choose quartz or granite, our team can help. If you arrange a visit to our warehouse we will be able to showcase the possibilities that are available as well as allowing you to see samples of both granite and quartz in person.

Granite vs Quartz: Which is more durable?

We have already touched on the heat resistant and stain resistant properties of both quartz and granite and overall granite is more durable.

Cleaning and maintaining your worktops will also test their durability over a long period of time.

Cleaning a granite worktop can be very easy. When you purchase your granite worktop through Grantech, we have a range of granite cleaners available to buy which will be the best option for maintaining your granite worktop.

You can also clean your granite kitchen worktop using a PH neutral detergent and warm water.

You can also clean quartz worktops using soap and water, however, do not clean your quartz kitchen countertops using a cleaner that contains methylene chloride or trichloroethane as these can affect the surface of the quartz.

Which should you choose?

As well as quartz and granite, we also supply porcelain and marble. We’d love to help you choose the best type of stone for your project.

You can visit us at our warehouse where we will be able to showcase some of the finest stone available in the UK and our experts will be able to advise you on the best stone and treatments to ensure your space is the best it can be.

Contact us today by calling 01244 549718 or complete our online enquiry form by clicking here.