Quartz and granite are the two most popular stone worktops in the UK, and we cut and fit both in our Wembley workshop. They look similar at a glance but behave quite differently in a busy kitchen. Here is an honest comparison to help you choose.
What is the difference?
Granite is a natural stone, quarried in solid blocks and cut into slabs. Every slab is unique, with speckles, crystals and movement formed over millions of years.
Quartz is engineered. It is made from around 90% crushed natural quartz bound with resins and pigments, then pressed into slabs. That gives it a consistent pattern and colour from slab to slab, and makes possible looks that granite cannot do, such as clean white Calacatta-style veining.
Side by side
| Quartz | Granite | |
|---|---|---|
| Look | Consistent; plain, speckled or marble-style veining | Natural, unique, speckled or crystalline |
| Stains | Non-porous, very stain resistant | Slightly porous; a good seal helps |
| Sealing | Never needed | Recommended periodically |
| Heat | Use a trivet for hot pans | Very heat resistant |
| Scratches | Very hard wearing | Very hard wearing |
| Outdoors | Not recommended (UV) | Suitable |
| Colour choice | Huge, including bright whites | Mostly darker and speckled tones |
Looks and colour choice
If you want a bright white kitchen or a marble look, quartz is the clear winner. Stones like Calacatta Borghini and Classic Calacatta Gold give you that look with none of the maintenance. If you love natural character and do not mind every slab being different, granite such as Golden Portoro or Rain Forest has a depth that is hard to imitate.
Day-to-day practicality
Quartz is non-porous, so wine, oil and coffee wipe away and it never needs sealing. Granite is tougher with heat, so you can be a little more relaxed with hot pans, but it benefits from occasional resealing to keep it stain resistant. Both are very hard and scratch resistant in normal use.
Cost compared
Entry-level quartz, such as plain whites and sparkles, is often cheaper than granite. Premium marble-look quartz can cost more than many granites. Natural stone prices also vary more from slab to slab, depending on the quarry and the quality of the block. The best way to compare is to price your own kitchen in both: our instant estimate covers quartz and natural stone.
Seams and large kitchens
Because quartz is consistent, joins between slabs are easier to match, which helps on long runs and large islands. Granite slabs can vary, so for big kitchens we select slabs carefully and plan joins so the pattern flows. Either way, you can approve your slabs at our Wembley workshop before we cut.
Living with each, year on year
Quartz stays looking the same for years with nothing more than warm soapy water. Granite develops a lived-in character and, with occasional resealing, stays stain resistant for decades. Both can be repaired by a professional if chipped, and both add value to a kitchen.
Which should you choose?
Choose quartz if you want low maintenance, a consistent look across a large kitchen, or a white or marble-effect finish. It is what we fit most, and what we recommend for most family kitchens.
Choose granite if you want a one-of-a-kind natural stone, cook a lot with very hot pans, or need a worktop for outdoors.
In short
- Quartz: engineered, consistent, never needs sealing, huge choice of whites and marble looks.
- Granite: natural and unique, excellent with heat, benefits from occasional sealing.
- For most family kitchens we recommend quartz.
Frequently asked questions
Is quartz stronger than granite?
Both are extremely hard wearing. Quartz is slightly more flexible thanks to its resin, while granite handles heat better.
Does granite need sealing?
We recommend sealing granite periodically to keep it stain resistant. Quartz never needs sealing.
Can you put hot pans on quartz?
Use a trivet. Very high, direct heat can mark the resin in quartz. Granite is much more heat tolerant.