Granite or Quartz – Which Kitchen Worktop is best For Your Home?

Both quartz and granite are among the toughest materials found on earth. But both have their pros and cons. So, to decide which one is ideal for your kitchen, you need to compare these two widely available kitchen countertops.

Quartz and granite worktops are known for their strength, durability and toughness. So, what makes them different from one another? Do quartz slabs work well in a wet environment? Or granite kitchen worktops are better for your home? Which one should you choose?

If you are confused between both these worktop materials, here are some tips to help you make a wise decision:

1. Range of Colours

Granite, a natural stone, is available in various combinations of natural hues. So, it has been quite tricky for worktop manufacturers to replicate its natural colours and elegance with engineered quartz worktops London. On the other hand, quartz kitchen worktops also come in a wide range of colours and even mimic natural stones like granite and marble. But if you cannot compromise with the natural essence of granite, it’s best to go with this natural worktop.

However, some busy homeowners prefer the modern yet practical attributes of quartz because it requires low maintenance.

2. Difficulty to Scratch the Surface

Being the hardest minerals found in the earth’s crust, quartz worktops are just three levels below the hardness of a diamond. That makes it highly scratch-resistant. Even granite is not much different. You may try chopping on both quartz and granite worktops, but you won’t see any scratch on their surface. But it’s still recommended to use a chopping board no matter what your countertop is made from. Here, only the design element comes into place when choosing the countertop of your choice.

3. Difficulty to Stain the Surface

Unlike granite and marble worktops London, quartz countertops have low porosity. Due to the non-porous surface, quartz worktops don’t absorb moisture or liquid spillage. Hence, the surface is impossible to stain even without the need for sealing.

On the other hand, granite worktops are vulnerable to staining, as these are porous and can absorb liquids if not sealed properly. So, strongly alkaline or acidic foods (vinegar and lemon juice), stain-causing foods (wine and red fruits), and oil-based food items (cooking oil and butter) can stain its surface. Therefore, it’s essential to reseal your granite worktop annually to prevent it from staining for several years.

4. Damage by Heat

Both granite and quartz worktops are considered to be kitchen warriors. But due to the presence of resin (used for different binding minerals together), quartz worktops are likely to be damaged by extreme heat.

On the other hand, granite worktops are highly resistant to heat and don’t burn. However, a hot pan may leave a mark on its surface due to sudden temperature change. But these burn marks can be treated using mild soap and water or safe granite poultice.

Since both the surfaces can be damaged by putting a hot pan or utensil on their surface, it is recommended to use a trivet or hot pad before placing any hot utensil on its surface.

5. Maintenance

Good quality quartz worktops are maintenance-free and don’t require much effort to upkeep their polished surface. However, to make granite worktops looking great, you need to clean its surface regularly and also buff dry the surface to keep its polish looking shiny.

For cleaning both granite and quartz surfaces, you need a clean cloth and warm soapy water, vinegar and water solution or non-abrasive cleaner. For stubborn stains, you might need specialist cleaners or stain removers.

Conclusion: 

If your cooking area bears heavy traffic, you might want to consider quartz for its effortless maintenance and superior stain-resistant abilities. However, both granite and quartz are known for offering a lifetime of service in the kitchen. So, it depends on the homeowner to choose any of these worktops materials as per their preference and needs.