If you have shopped for kitchen countertops lately, you would be well aware of the heated debate that the two major countertop materials granite and quartz have sparked among contemporary homeowners. Since both these countertops are highly popular for their distinctive set of features, it might be useful to know which one is actually suitable for you. Let’s have a look at some of the common differences between granite and quartz and what they imply for the performance and durability of the two.

Strength and Durability

Given the fact that it is one of the strongest materials that occur naturally on our planet, quartz offers higher durability as compared to granite that is brittle and breaks easily.

Porosity

While granite is a porous material that requires re-sealing every alternate year to keep off growth of mold and germs, quartz is non porous and stays sparkling clean without any requirement to re-seal the countertop after installation.

Maintenance

While you can maintain your quartz countertops with minimum efforts and clean up the spills with simple soap and water, granite requires a higher level of maintenance given the fact that certain detergents and cleaning solutions can end up reacting and staining the surface.

Exclusivity

The major charm of granite lies in its natural textures and veins that render it a one of a kind exotic countertop material. On the other hand, quartz lacks the exclusivity offered by granite, where no two slabs are the same.
So basically, it all boils down to what your individual requirements are when it comes to countertop materials. Regardless of whether you go with the classic luxury of the granite or the style and functionality of the quartz, you must consider a few major aspects including your budget, purpose, type of use, performance, durability, aesthetics and so on before taking your pick.