Best countertop for Kitchen? Granite? Quartz?

Question

I'm renovating 2 kitchens in a duplex and trying to decide what is the best countertop material. I would like a granite style, but not sure about the other stone options in terms of what would be best. What is everybody using?

Nathan Gesner · Answer

Quartz is actually stronger than granite, it doesn't require sealing and is easier to clean, it has more color options, and likely cheaper than granite. Read a couple articles comparing the two and I think you'll choose quartz.

Colin Gearity · Answer

Quartz is the most durable but also more costly.  However, granite is very durable as well.  I would recommend googling some companies around you that do countertops and visit them.  See there options, get to know the costs (huge price swings in quartz and granite) and tell them what your looking to do and they will point you in the right direction... at least it’s worked out well for me that way. You may also see if they have any slabs of a color they can’t get anymore that they might be able to make you a deal on.  Also, like someone else mentioned - know your market and tenant base.  What do they expect? They expect a marble looking quartz or a builders grade granite?

Scott M. · Answer

Very good article here that talks about the strengths/weakness of both.  Granite vs Quartz: Did You Know? [2021] - Kitchen Countertops (countertopadvisor.com)For us, we look at comps in the local area where the house is.  Certain cities seems to lean to one or the other so we go with what the local norm is when we are trying to add value/appeal to local buyers or tenants.

Long term use and maintenance on both for many years and honestly I would say we have not seen a positive or negative to one over the other.  both have been solid choices

Michael King · Answer

I've had many granite countertops and never had an issue with them. I have also never sealed them. I just put granite in 3 apartments; the tenants love them. The granite was cheap - around $300 for an 8' x 25" slab, which I cut and finished myself. Hard, heavy and dusty. But gorgeous and worth the effort.

I recently put quartz in my home. It had a scratch and a chip the day it was installed. It is beautiful, but not sure if I'll go that route again.

For a rental, I'd go granite. Sealing, if you do it, is a 6 month affair. Spray and wipe, done.

Sharlene Mulchandani · Answer

@Jonathan Mills For countertops, I would personally go with granite. Granite is quite effective as it is scratch, stain and chip resistant. I would suggest a darker shade of granite to prevent any stains.

Jonathan Mills · Answer

Thanks for the feedback Jack! I see reviews where people love granite, so it's tough knowing which is the best route! Quartz is more expensive though right?

Jack Swank · Answer

@Jonathan Mills

Stay away from granite, have to maintain surface with sealer. Quartz is good option. A lot more popular and many color options.

Joe S. · Answer

so I just read an article on the difference between quartz  and granite and the writer is saying just the opposite of the two posters above. Chances are the article was written by someone that had a monetary reasons for doing so. The writer said granite does not  discolor with heat like quartz does. The writer also said that Granite was less expensive than quartz. The writer also said that granite was stronger than quartz and did not chip as easy.

I’m still interested in the difference myself so I am not joining in the debate simply referencing a quick read. :-)

Jonathan Mills · Answer

Thanks for the input Charlene! Do you ever have issues with having to continually seal the granite?

Best countertop for Kitchen? Granite? Quartz?

Most Popular Reply