Granite and quartz are two of the more popular materials for modern kitchen countertops. Consumers seem to appreciate both with equal zeal. Here in Utah, we complete a lot of quartz and granite countertop installations. Fortunately, the decision between the two rarely boils down to durability. It is really more of an aesthetic decision.
Overall, quartz is slightly more durable than granite. But for day-to-day applications, the two materials are quite comparable. What are your thoughts? Do you prefer one material over the other?
Granite Is a Very Durable Stone
Let’s start with granite. It is an exceptionally durable natural stone with plenty of appeal for both kitchen and bath. Some of the most beautiful countertops in the world are made with granite. Its visual appeal is truly hard to beat. As for its durability, you get a very strong product in granite.
Granite is naturally resistant to scratches and cuts. However, resistance does not guarantee that granite will never be damaged. This is one of the main reasons we recommend sealing granite countertops on a regular basis. Based on average daily use, an annual sealing is generally sufficient.
Some other things to consider:
- Heat Resistance – Granite’s big selling point over quartz is its heat resistance. Granite can withstand temperatures of up to 1200°F. We’ll talk about quartz’s temperature resistance in just a minute.
- Impact Resistance – Although sealing granite tends to protect it against scratches and cuts, the material is at risk of chipping or cracking when subjected to excessive impact. In other words, drop a heavy object on a granite countertop and it could chip.
- UV Resistance – Granite holds up extremely well to ultraviolet (UV) exposure. It is not likely to fade or discolor, even when exposed to direct sunlight.
To recap, granite’s advantage in terms of durability is its heat resistance. But it also has the edge over quartz when it comes to UV exposure. You really cannot go wrong when choosing a granite countertop. Still, we need to compare granite against quartz.
Quartz Is Engineered to Be Tough
Rather than being a natural stone in the same vein as granite and marble, quartz is an engineered product. We won’t go into what that means here. If you read our blogs regularly, you already understand how quartz countertops are made.
One of the benefits of engineered materials is built-in durability. In other words, quartz is engineered to be as tough as nails. It is generally considered to be the most durable material among all stone countertop choices. Let us look at some of the particulars:
- Heat Resistance – The one downside of quartz is that it doesn’t deal with high heat very well. A quartz countertop can resist temperatures of up to 185°F. Consumers should always make ample use of trivets and potholders when placing hot objects on a quartz surface.
- Cuts and Scratches – Quartz excels when it comes to resisting cuts and scratches. It wins the day over granite. Likewise for chips and cracks. Dropping a heavy object on a quartz countertop is not likely to damage it.
- Resistance to Bacteria – Unlike granite and marble, quartz is nonporous. That means it resists bacteria growth. It also resists staining.
Quartz is the better material if you don’t like sealing your countertops. But if you are concerned about discoloration due to UV exposure, granite may be the better choice.
As you can see, both materials have their pros and cons in terms of durability. Overall, quartz is considered the most durable of all stone materials. Granite is a very close second. Choose either one and we expect you’ll be very happy. Come into one of our Utah showrooms to compare selections in person.
