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When renovating the home, there are a few materials that can spark heated debates over which is better. Granite and quartz definitely fall under this category. If you’ve recently redesigned your home or got a brand new home, then you’ll know that deciding on the material to use for your kitchens and bathroom countertops can be a daunting task. After all, you have to consider every aspect from maintenance to cost to durability.
In this article, we compare granite and quartz to see which material is more cost effective. These materials are often used interchangeably and you can better decide with some detailed information about granite vs quartz countertops.
What Is Granite?
Granite is an igneous rock that forms under the surface of the earth due to slow crystallisation of magma. It is light-coloured and has grains that are pretty large and visible to the naked eye. Mainly composed of quartz and feldspar, this material gets its colour from minerals, whose composition gives it a red, pink, grey or white colour with dark mineral grains visible in the stone. granite countertop price varies as per varieties and your choices.
Granite countertop cost: ₹100 to ₹130 per square foot
Also read: Go Granite: 7+ Granite Kitchen Countertop Designs for Your Kitchen
What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Granite?
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| This hard stone is 100% natural. Granite kitchen tops prices are lower than engineered quartz. | Being a natural stone, can stain very easily, especially with red wine |
| Striations and slight colour changes make granite unique. | If a large part of your countertop has to be changed, then you have to deal with visible joining seams, which looks unsightly. |
| There are hundreds of beautiful colours of granite slabs to choose from. | Granite is an absorbent material and if not sealed properly, can absorb oils and hold bacteria. |
| Granite does not fade when exposed to sunlight exposure and can be used outdoors. | It is strong but also brittle. |
| If correctly sealed, granite countertops are very durable and do not soak up liquids. | It is very difficult to find granite stones without any swirls or patterns. |
What Is Quartz?
While quartz is a natural mineral, engineered quartz is an manufactured stone that is composed of 97% crushed quartz crystals and 3% resins. Quartz is available in a variety of colours, patterns and textures. It can also be combined with glass and other reflective materials to achieve a sparkling finish. Being one of the hardest minerals on earth, quartz is a very strong choice for your homes.
Quartz countertops cost: ₹120 to ₹150 per square foot
Also read: Why Are Quartz Countertops Perfect for Your Kitchen?
What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Quartz?
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Quartz comes in a wider range of colours and textures, as compared to granite. | Quartz countertops prices are higher than granite. |
| Mixing and matching patterns is easier with quartz, since it is available in relatively smoother and plain surfaces. | Unlike granite, quartz is not suitable for outdoor use as it fades in harsh weather conditions. |
| This stone is easy to maintain and does not get stained. | Quartz does not display natural beauty as it is engineered. |
| Quartz is heavier than granite and does not crack very easily. | Every similar-coloured slab of quartz tends to look the same with no uniqueness. |
What are the Differences Between Quartz vs Granite Countertops?
1. Appearance: Quartz vs Granite Countertops
Granite comes in a variety of colours, ranging from soft earth tones to vibrant greens and blues. You might have to search for the ideal piece that suits the colour scheme of the kitchen.
Quartz, however, is manufactured with additional pigments, giving it a wider range of colours and a more consistent coloration which makes the selecting procedure easier. These characteristics impact the quartz kitchen countertops cost.
2. Quartz vs Granite Kitchen Countertops Price
The cost of your kitchen renovation may significantly increase due to quartz worktops as it is manmade and its price is determined by the manufacturer. Quartz kitchen countertops cost about ₹120 to ₹150 per square foot on average. On the other hand, granite countertop installation cost is about ₹100 to ₹130 per square foot. However, numerous variables like shipping expenses, difficulty in quarrying etc. might unexpectedly affect the prices.
3. Environmental Impact
It is a debatable issue. As it is obtained locally, quartz might be more environmentally friendly. Granite, on the other hand, must be purchased from the place where it is mined, which is frequently in another country. This factor raises the granite countertops cost per square foot.
Additionally, granite doesn’t have any synthetic resins added, therefore it can be better for the environment. Chemical resins are used in the production of quartz. The verdict has not yet been reached.
4. Composition: Quartz vs Granite Countertops
Quartz is an engineered stone and its countertops are manufactured goods. The countertops are composed of 93% to 95% powdered natural quartz stone along with a few additional minerals and colouring agents. The resin that ties it all together is the remaining component.
Granite countertops are made from 100% natural granite that is dug up, shaped, and installed. Therefore, the kitchen granite countertops cost comparatively less than quartz.
5. DIY Suitability
Both of these countertop materials require professional installation. Granite and quartz are both hefty and large. They necessitate intricate cuts that can only be made with specialised tools and skilled labour.
6. Maintenance and Durability: Quartz vs Granite Kitchen Countertops
i. Sealing Upon Installation
Granite needs to be sealed when it is installed as it is porous. It then needs periodical maintenance, thereby increasing the overall granite countertops per square foot in the long run. Quartz, on the other hand, doesn’t need to be sealed because it already employs resins during the slab creation process.
ii. Breakage or Cracking
Granite slabs can be prone to cracking because of innate faults. But quartz is homogeneous throughout, so it hardly ever develops fissures.
iii. Staining
Since quartz countertops are hard and non-porous, they are more resistant to staining in comparison to granite.
iv. Microbial Resistance
Quartz is, again, more resistant to bacterial colonisation that granite due to the resins that make it non-porous and hard.
v. Resistance to Heat
A properly sealed granite countertop is more resistant to high temperatures than quartz countertops. Granite will not be immediately damaged by placing a hot pot or pan on it, unlike quartz.
Take a look at some of these modular kitchen design ideas to know how you can plan your next kitchen:
Conclusion
So, between granite vs quartz, which should you choose? If you love the flaws of nature and want your countertops to look unique, then granite is the material for you. On the other hand, if you want your countertops to look flawless and match perfectly without any striations, then we suggest you go for quartz. It totally depends on what you want, and what your budget is like.
How Can Livspace Help You?
We hope you found this article useful. If you have trouble choosing between granite and quartz countertops, then let us help! Book an online consultation with Livspace today.
Keep the comments and suggestions coming in at editor@livspace.com
