Which Performs Better: Quartz or Granite?

Considering the plethora and wealth of options available, it can often feel overwhelming when looking for new materials or surfaces to use as a worktop. Still, while there are numerous options to think about, deciding on the optimal solutions is integral – and one such pair of options is quartz and granite. Of course, there are many reasons to consider these materials over traditional surfaces such as wood and resin worktops – but which one is right for your needs? We’ll be looking at some of the key features of granite and quartz today to ensure you’ve got the ideal solutions for your needs.

Which Performs Better: Quartz or Granite?

Both quartz and granite have a wide range of applications, but it’s often difficult to determine which performs better from a practical perspective. Of course, both of these surfaces are extremely hard-wearing and can take a lot of wear and tear, no matter what the application may be. But which is better? To answer this question, we perhaps need to consider the key features of both surfaces.

Properties of Granite

Granite makes an excellent surface in many cases. Of course, as a permeable material, it’s not naturally 100% waterproof; luckily, most commercially available granite surfaces are sealed, making them non-permeable. This makes spills easy to mob up. As such, granite won’t stain, unlike wooden worktops. However, you’ll need to keep on top of the sealing.

Granite also can have a range of finishes, ranging from a more rustic and rougher feel to a polished, sleek surface. Granite is an incredibly strong material; it is also highly scratch resistant, making it excellent for practical purposes.

Furthermore, the most apparent benefit of granite worktops is that they are incredibly heat resistant. They do not blemish or burn, making them suitable for use with hot pans and plates on these types of surfaces.

As such, if you’re looking for a countertop that’s able to live up to the high temperatures of the kitchen without needing additional protection, granite might be ideal.

Properties of Quartz

Quartz worktops offer a premium finish and a stunning visual appeal while also being highly practical. They are naturally scratch resistant, which makes them valuable for many applications; however, their durability isn’t quite comparable to granite or other hard stone surfaces. They’re also slightly less heat resistant, so take care not to put a boiling hot pan down directly on your new quartz countertop!

Of course, one of the drawbacks of quartz is the cost of the material. Using a quartz worktop can be expensive, but it does offer an exceptionally high-quality, premium, and sophisticated finish. Furthermore, it is also naturally non-porous, which means it won’t stain as easily and doesn’t require as much maintenance as granite surfaces. This also makes it more hygienic overall.

As such, quartz countertops are ideally suited to applications requiring an aesthetically pleasing design with a hygienic, low-maintenance finish.

Conclution

It’s impossible to say which material performs better – quartz or granite – since these are best suited to very different applications. However, quartz is often lower maintenance and provides an exceptional aesthetic appeal. Meanwhile, granite surfaces can be more cost-effective and practical for a modern kitchen environment thanks to their exceptional heat resistance.