Choosing the right stone for your kitchen or bathroom worktops can make a big difference to the overall look of a room. But it’s not only about aesthetics. Certain stones can be better for different purposes, room types and styles. Therefore, it’s important to do your research before you invest in your worktop.
Two of our most popular worktop materials (and for good reason) are quartz and granite. We may be biased, but these are excellent choices. But which is better?
Well, there is no right or wrong answer to this, however, one might be more suitable for your project than the other. In this article, we cover some of the differences and benefits of both quartz and granite to help you make an informed decision.
Let’s start with quartz
Quartz comes in an abundance of colours and textures, so whether you’re looking to make a statement or keep it more neutral there really is an option for everyone.
In fact, we have over 200 quartz stone options so you will definitely be spoilt for choice!
Benefits of quartz
- Extremely hard-wearing
- Low maintenance and easy to clean
- No two worktops will be the same so yours will be totally unique and one of a kind
- Non-porous so doesn’t need to be sealed
- Provides a very modern finish
- Does not harbour bacteria
Considerations of quartz
- Although there are plenty of styles of quartz to choose from, some say that it doesn’t look as ‘natural’ as other stones.
- Quartz should only be used inside the home, as it can become discoloured when exposed to direct sunlight over a long period of time.
So how about granite?
Granite’s reputation precedes itself. It is one of the most popular stone choices for worktops, particularly for a more contemporary look. Below are just a few of the reasons people choose granite.
Benefits of granite
- High polish that lasts
- Scratch-resistant (within reason!)
- Easy to maintain and clean
- Its cool surface is more hygienic, making it ideal for kitchens
Considerations of granite
- Granite is heat resistant up to about 250C. This should be more than enough for most kitchens but is worth bearing in mind
- Similarly to quartz, no two pieces of granite are the same. This means that if you’ve seen a granite countertop that you love, you might not be able to perfectly recreate it.
How about the price differences?
The pricing of both of these natural stones does completely depend on the style you chose and there is a vast range in price for both materials with neither one being lower or higher in price than the other.
Quartz vs. granite in the kitchen or bathroom
You may have noticed that quartz and granite share a number of the same benefits, including being easy to maintain, heat resistant, and of course looking fantastic.
Because of this, both quartz and granite can be used in the kitchen and bathroom. Applications may include:
- Kitchen countertops
- Backsplashes
- Kitchen islands
- Bath surrounds
- Vanity units
Ready to speak to our stonemasons?
Hopefully, this article has given you some insight into quartz vs granite, and which stone you may have a preference for. However, if you’re still unsure, our team of experts can help you decide and actually seeing the stone in real life is when our customers can really get a feel for which stone they want.
Our showroom in Wareham offers the opportunity to view many of our granite and quartz stone options, as well speak to our team and see examples of previous projects we have completed.
Here are some other helpful resources you may want to read to aid your decision:
- The custom worktop process >>
- Why choose Eaton Stonemasons >>
- Benefits of using stone for your worktops >>
Get in touch today by using the contact form on our website, calling us on 01929 550653 or emailing sales@eatonstonemasons.com.