Granite Or Quartz

[curtz]

When we built our house ten years ago we couldn't afford stone countertops in the kichen, I told the wife she could change them in 10 years. Times up, anyone have experiences with either one, witch is better, we are leaning towards quartz. Thanks for any information.

[Ricki Bobby]

The wife and I are going through the same thing. The problem we are having is finding the right colour and pattern. The wife really likes the marble type look, which in a granite is the most expensive they make! I've about had enough of it to be honest. We have been looking for awhile now and still haven't found the " I love it" one yet. Good luck on your quest!

[Au revoir, Gopher]

I don't know that there is a 'best', but I must say that I like the granite that we put in the kitchen a few years ago. The ability to set a hot pot on the counter and not worry about it is great.

We had quartz put in the main bathroom, just installed today... it WILL look great... after I install the tub... and tile the surround... put the toilet back... and install the back splash on the new quartz counter... where was I going with this?

ARG

[Red Bullets]

Granite is more prone to stains if not properly sealed and resealed regularly. Granite is more porous than quartz. To keep clean and sanitary quartz is better. Quartz doesn't need sealing either. Over years black granites can fade in spots if they were dyed. If you choose granite make sure to ask if the stone you look at was dyed. Granite is a natural stone. Quartz is a manufactured stone so there are more colors to choose from too. Both have the same life span.

[Sushi]

The geologists must cringe reading threads like this as most granite countertops aren't even granite, but we just take it for granite they are. That's gneiss and all, we could gabbro on about it. I'd pick something metamorphic.

[The Cook]

Arborite that looks like stone is way cheaper and looks good. worked for me and she picked out the sample.

[Lites out]

Originally Posted by The Cook

Arborite that looks like stone is way cheaper and looks good. worked for me and she picked out the sample.

You can change it fairly inexpensively also in case the color or pattern isnt what you wanted unlike stone countertops cuz of the huge cost.

[Slvdout]

both have their pros and cons. I recently renovated my kitchen and went with Quartz. It came down to wanting a specific color that we just couldn't get with granite while maintaining the features we wanted. (durability and stain resistance) We wanted white Marble effect. here's a couple pics

[JB_AOL]

We found going with Quartz that the colors were more consistent and repeatable, whereas with granite, unless you find the exact perfect piece that you like, there was always some part of the piece you wouldn't like. But we don't like the dark contrasting "lines" that granite is known for, our quartz is similar to above.

[Dean2]

Have had Marble, Granite and Quartz. Granite is far and away our favourite for counter tops and marble for floors and bathroom tiles. (Marble is quite a bit softer than granite so not as good in heavy wear areas. It will show wear after as little as 100 years of being walked on, where the granite won't. Makes granite a better choice for stairs and main entrances.).

Granite has a great selection of patterns and styles, tolerates abuse very well, easy to re polish and contrary to what everyone in North America thinks it DOES NOT NEED to be sealed. Our house in France had granite floors and counter tops that were more than 500 years old. None of it was ever sealed and showed no stains or other ill effects. None of the other houses I was ever in in Europe had sealed granite either, same result. (Granite counters should Always be at least 2"s thick for best heat absorption and resistance to cracking from having heavy pots and such accidentally dropped on it).