If you are faced with the decision of granite or quartz for your new countertop, your head may be spinning. Which one will stand up best to everyday use? Particularly if you have a large family and do a lot of cooking and entertaining, you want a countertop that will withstand all that abuse and still look great for years to come. So which is better for durability: quartz or granite?

Let’s take a look at both.

Quartz

Quartz, an engineered stone, contains 90% natural quartz, 10% polyresin, and added pigments for coloring. Once mined and blended with the polyresin and pigments, the mixture is placed into a mold, cured, and sold in slab form. 

This extremely durable stone can withstand the harshest of conditions due to its hardness and heat resistance.

Mineral hardness is measured on a scale of 1 to 10. A 1 is soft, and a 10 is very hard. Quartz is at a 7.

It also happens to be quite stain-resistant due to its nonporous nature. Don’t take this to mean it’s stain proof, though. Some things can stain the surface, such as coffee, tea, paint thinners, and abrasive household cleaners. But overall, it fares well in high spill environments.

It’s also scratch-resistant, so you can cut directly on it. However, you probably still want to use a butcher block or cutting board so your knives don’t get dull.

One thing quartz isn’t is heat resistant. It won’t handle heat above 300 degrees F very well thanks to the polyresin contained in it (it’s a plastic). It’s best to keep hot pots and pans off it, as those could lead to burn marks and discoloration. Use trivets before setting a hot pot on the counter. 

The good news is, quartz does not need a sealant because it is nonporous.

Granite

Granite, a naturally sourced stone, doesn’t have additives like quartz does. Formed from the cooling of lava through millions of years, granite contains many minerals, such as natural quartz and feldspar. It is mined all over the world, such as Brazil, China, India, and Italy.

On the hardness scale, granite is at a 6, which is just a tad lower than the quartz. It’s important to note, though, that this will depend on the actual slab you get – some can be a 5 while others can be a 7.

It’s a highly resistant stone in terms of heat, scratches and stains. It needs a sealant to achieve this, though. Even so, you should always immediately wipe up any spills just in case. Wine, coffee, juice and abrasive cleaners may stain the surface slightly.

Granite is scratch resistant, but take general care not to chop or cut on it, to play it on the safe side and to preserve the sharpness of your knives.

It’s heat resistant as well, but use a trivet with hot pans to be safe. Also, be aware of temperature extremes. You don’t want to set a piping hot dish down on the counter, followed by a very cold item. Granite can withstand heat up to 480 degrees F.

Because quartz and granite are so close in durability, the one you ultimately choose will come down to personal preference.

Contact Granite Guy

Still not sure? We can help you make a decision between quartz and granite when you contact our stone installers in Boston at 508-460-7900.

Visit our stone showroom and see some beautiful examples of quartz and natural granite slabs available today. Located on Route 9 in Southborough, Massachusetts