Is Granite a Better Countertop Material Than Engineered Quartz?

Find out about the unique features of granite and engineered quartz countertops before you commit

Pooja Khanna Tyagi22 February 2021

Houzz India Contributor. An Architect , Interior Designer, Valuer, a Marathon Runner, and love Writing Poetry and Creative Stories on Building Design. Have been practicing since the year 2000 with specialization in the field of Corporate Interiors with projects extensively published in journals of national repute. Recently honoured with the reputed A3 Foundation award for Journalism for the year 2016 an for architectural poetry in the year 2018. Currently practicing and residing in Delhi and Noida. Website: www.khannaenterprise.com, Email: poojakhanna224@gmail.com, M:9891993392

Both engineered quartz and granite countertops are strong, sturdy and have superlative properties which make them ideal for busy and hardworking kitchens. But the question is, which countertop material is better and why? In this article we answer all your questions about the strength, durability, ease of maintenance and aesthetic qualities of granite and engineered quartz so that you can pick your winner.

Nicholson

What is the basic difference between granite and engineered quartz?

Granite is an igneous rock which comprises compressed grains of silica, quartz, feldspar and mica. It is mined from quarries and is available as pre-polished granite slabs like you see in the image above. The different types of granite finishes include polished, honed and flamed granite finish, where each finish has a different texture and appearance.
Quartz is an engineered stone which comprises 95 per cent natural quartz aggregate chips and 5 per cent polymer resins, colourful pigments and other additives.

Find countertop suppliers in the Houzz professionals directory

Smartstone | Quartz Benchtops, Engineered Stone

How do granite and quartz countertops differ in their appearance?

Granite has a speckled look and is available in a variety of colours and patterns. Some of the most popular types of granite are black galaxy, tan brown, blue pearl, green pearl, ruby red and raw silk. They are available in a thickness of 16–18 millimetres for the kitchen countertop.
Quartz is available in a variety of colours and patterns, which simulate the exact look of granite, marble (as in this image), onyx and other natural stone materials. The thickness of quartz slabs ranges between 12 and 20 millimetres.

Note: Engineered quartz is not suitable for the outdoors or in a kitchen which receives a lot of sunlight as its colour will fade. This is because the polyester resins which are used to manufacture engineered quartz might disintegrate with prolonged exposure to UV rays.

See inspiring kitchen designs on Houzz photos

Echelon Custom Homes

Which countertop material is more durable?

Granite is very durable, heat-resistant and can withstand hot cookware. However, since granite is porous in nature, it can get chipped when subjected to a heavy impact.
Quartz is harder than granite, which makes it a more durable material. One minus is that engineered quartz can get damaged when it is in contact with excess heat; therefore it is essential to use a trivet for placing hot cookware. Since engineered quartz is prone to scratches, no cutting or chopping should be done directly on the countertop.

Marble of the World

Which countertop material is easier to maintain?

Granite countertops should be cleaned with a solution of soap and water or a mild household cleaner. The porous nature of granite makes it susceptible to stains, therefore it should be sealed periodically so that spills do not permeate into the granite countertop. The best part about granite is that minor scratches on granite can be concealed by filling it with colour-matched epoxy or resins. If the polish becomes dull over a period of time, it can be easily buffed and re-polished.
Just like granite, engineered quartz countertops should be cleaned with soapy water or mild cleaners. However, an engineered quartz countertop is easier to maintain because it does not require periodic sealing and does not support the growth of various microorganisms, which makes it very hygienic.

MTM Services

What is the price of granite and engineered quartz countertops?

Indian granite starts at ₹150 per square foot while Italian granite can go up to ₹700 per square foot. The cost of installation of a granite countertop starts at ₹1700 per square foot, which is inclusive of materials, labour and cutting charges at current rates.
Engineered quartz starts at ₹400 per square foot, while the cost of installation of the countertop is around ₹2000 per square foot, which includes material and labour charges at current rates.

Costs of materials and labour are quoted according to prevalent rates at time of publishing, and may vary with time and location.

Ventana Construction LLC

Should we go for a granite or an engineered quartz countertop?

If you love natural materials and the unique speckled look of granite, then go for a granite countertop. Since granite is natural, it is a greener material than engineered quartz.
However, if you want to break away from conventional stone materials and are looking for a trendy countertop, then opt for engineered quartz. An added advantage is that engineered quartz countertops are stronger and easier to maintain.

Read more:
A Guide to 3 Trendiest Kitchen Countertop Materials
Cost & Quality Analysis of Trending Kitchen Countertops

Tell us:
Do you prefer granite or engineered quartz for the kitchen countertop and why? Share your thoughts in Comments below.