You need to consider various factors when looking for a durable and reliable quartz worktop, especially when comparing it with granite. Always look at the different aspects when deciding which countertop material is good for your home.

Choosing between quartz and granite worktop is a difficult decision for homeowners, as both are highly versatile and durable worktop materials. So, it would help if you considered various factors to decide which one is best for your home.

How is Quartz Different than Granite?

Granite worktops are quarried naturally, and many homeowners prefer them due to their durability and natural appeal that’s hard to go unnoticed. It is an ideal option for kitchens because this natural stone is difficult to scratch and stain. However, you need to be careful when placing hot pots or working with sharp knives on its surface to avoid any damage.

On the other hand, quartz worktops are engineered in factories using natural quartz, polymer, resin and colour pigments. Some quartz manufacturers even offer this human-made stone in beautiful granite-like effect to bring natural essence to your home. One of the significant benefits of quartz over granite worktops is its variety of colours and patterns.

There are many other fundamental differences between quartz and granite for determining its cost. Some of these differences are:

• Appearance

Since quartz is an engineered worktop stone, it has many variations in patterns and colours that are not available in granite collection. When it comes to marble-like veining and granite flecks, many designs are available in quartz collections. However, granite is available only in a specific range of patterns. The rarity of granite worktops makes it an expensive material compared to quartz.

• Durability

When it comes to durability, quartz again takes the cake. Due to the presence of polymer resins and quartz particles, this worktop is durable while reducing its porosity.

On the other hand, granite has a slightly porous surface that needs sealing during installation. It also needs frequently resealing to protect it from damages while maintaining its quality.

• Maintenance

As mentioned above, granite needs resealing due to its porous surface, quartz worktops come pre-sealed and don’t need resealing for maintenance. Quartz is even less troublesome when it comes to scratches and staining due to its non-porous surface. When it comes to maintenance, granite is expensive compared to quartz countertops.

What determines the cost of quartz and granite? Which worktop material is cheaper?

With a marginal difference between maintenance, appearance and durability, it isn’t easy to distinguish the cost of these materials. Well, here are the major cost factors for a better understanding of the concept:

• Colour

Some colours are more expensive in granite worktop collection due to their rarity. But quartz worktops are manufactured in factories and can even mimic granite effects. That makes it more uniform and readily available in the market while reducing their cost relatively.

• Thickness

The thicker worktop slabs are likely to cost more. Both granite and quartz are available in different thicknesses. So, the cost will vary for both depending on how thick slab you choose for your kitchen or bathroom.

• Manufacturing Source and Shipping Cost

Even the manufacturing source and shipping cost affect the cost of these stones. The cost of each stone depends majorly on the area from where the stone was sourced. For instance, the stones quarried in China are cheaper than the ones shipped from Italy.

• Installation Cost

It depends on the worktop fabricator. The professional and experienced fabricators will charge more price for installation compared to the less experienced professionals in the field.

Depending on these factors, the cost of granite and quartz are determined. But if you consider the rarity and availability of these worktops, quartz is likely to be less expensive than granite, as it is readily available and manufactured with advanced engineering technologies. You may contact the best worktop supplier near you to invest in the top-quality quartz or granite worktop as per your preference.

Published by Jesus Alberto Mouzo on August 9, 2020