Quartz worktops vs granite worktops?
Customers often ask me what the differences are between granite worktops and quartz worktops? So, the purpose of this blog is to explain the key differences.
Understanding the differences between the two should help you decide which one is best suited to your lifestyle.
Granite worktops
Granite is formed in the ground by the fusion of 3 natural minerals: Feldspar, Quartz & Mica. These minerals occur in different proportions.
This is what gives each slab its own unique colour, texture and characteristics.
Advantages of granite
- 100% natural
- Tough & durable
- Markings in the stone are inconsistent and unique
- Many suppliers let you choose the exact slab your worktops will be cut from
- Quality will always be consistent, granite is granite
Disadvantages of granite
- It’s porous, therefore susceptible to staining
- Granite, particular lighter coloured granite, need to be sealed annually to prevent staining
- Not suitable for use in a kosher kitchen due to its porosity
- Not as durable or heat resistant as quartz
- Comes in a limited number of colours
Quartz worktops
Unlike Granite, which is 100% natural, Quartz is a semi natural man made product. Quartz is made by mixing the natural mineral quartz with various resins, polymers and pigments.
The ratio of these ingredients is approximately 90% quartz to 10% resins, polymers and pigments.
Popular Brands of Quartz: Silestone, Caesarstone, Compac, Lunastone, Arenastone, Okite, Diresco
Advantages of quartz
- More durable and heat resistant than granite
- Quartz is 100% non porous, so it is almost impossible to stain
- Quartz is suitable for use in a kosher kitchen due to it’s non porous properties
- Available in an almost unlimited choice of colours & finishes
- Never has to be sealed like granite
- Can sometimes be a little bit cheaper to buy than granite
Disadvantages of quartz
- Quartz is not 100% natural like granite
- Perceived by some people as being characterless due to the consistency of markings
- Unlike granite there’s no point in choosing your exact slab as all slabs will look identical
- Can vary in quality dependent on the brand chosen
Our free service recommends the best value kitchen suppliers in your area.
Showrooms offer free, no-obligation quotes and are within 30 minutes drive.
Read what our customers say about our service below:
“The kitchen your guys came up with is far more competitive than anything I have had quoted so far and the quality is in a different league”
Samantha Michaels, Watford, Herts
“Kitchenfindr recommended a showroom who were much better value than most of the other showrooms I’d previously looked at”
Hannah Malone, Esher, Surrey
“Lloyd was able to point me to local independent kitchen retailers offering greater quality and value compared to the high street chains”
Mohammed Hashi, Northolt, Middx
“If you’re looking for a good value kitchen supplier, these are the people to speak to first!”
Natalie D R, Stanmore, Middx
For more information just visit the following websites:
Silestone, Caesarstone, Compac, Lunastone, Arenastone, Okite, Diresco