Granite or Quartz: Which is Better for My Home?

May 20, 2020 | Premier Countertop Installation and Fabrication

When looking at stones like granite and quartz, it can be tough to determine which countertop material you want to go with. At Bad Lizard, we recommend you think about a couple of things, including, but not limited to: 

  • What do you want from your countertops?
  • What do you need from your countertops? 
  • How much do you want to invest in your countertops?
  • What color countertops are you looking for? 

If you’re trying to decide between granite and quartz countertops, continue reading to learn more about the differences between these types of stone. 

GRANITE COUNTERTOPS 

Natural stones like granite are known for their robustness, as well as the variety of colors and textures you can choose from. When choosing a granite countertop, you want to take into account: 

  • Usability: Do you prepare and cook a lot? Will your family sit around this countertop to eat breakfast, lunch or dinner? 
  • Aesthetic: What does the rest of your kitchen look like? If you’re doing a complete remodel, we would recommend finding countertops that your kitchen can be built around in color scheme and aesthetic. However, if you’re only looking to replace your countertops, you’ll want to find the right material that will match the rest of what you’re working with. 
  • Durability: Did you know that granite is right behind diamonds in hardness. That’s right! If treated properly, this type of countertop can be resistant to staining, heat and scratches.
  • Maintenance: Every granite countertop we install, our team seals properly. While this material is durable, it is also porous, meaning if your countertops aren’t sealed properly, any type of liquid or food spilled can mean a lifetime of frustration. 

QUARTZ COUNTERTOPS 

Quartz countertops are engineered stone with a wide range of colors that natural stones may not have. Like granite, when choosing a quartz countertop, you want to take into account: 

  • Usability: Unlike granite, quartz is not porous, meaning you won’t need to seal your countertops. If you have smaller children, who may spill liquids or food on the countertops, that won’t be a problem!
  • Durable: Quartz has similar durability like granite or even concrete. Additionally, while granite may crack under certain conditions, you will have a more difficult time cracking your quartz countertops. 
  • Aesthetic: While quartz is a unique piece of stone, many people prefer granite. Due to the wide range of colors, when choosing this type of countertop, we recommend that you pick a color that you’ll love for years to come. 

Both types of countertops have great benefits and can be good long-term investments. One thing to remember is that if you plan on selling your home, make sure that your countertops are in alignment with what other home buyers might be looking for. 

GRANITE OR QUARTZ? CHOOSING A COUNTERTOP FOR YOUR BUDGET

Now that we’ve discussed some of the items you may want to consider when choosing between granite and quartz countertops, there’s one last thing you need to think about. This would be your budget. 

When researching countertops, we recommend calling your local countertop fabricator to discuss pricing based on the countertop material type, the rarity of granite, color and texture and the edges you may want. This will give you a good idea of what you may want to invest in. 

You can read more about this in our blog, Choose a Countertop that Fits Your Budget in West Virginia

FINDING THE BEST COUNTERTOP FOR YOU | BAD LIZARD 

At Bad Lizard, our team takes pride in helping our customers find the countertop that best fits their wants, needs and ultimately, their budget. If you are wanting to look at samples and need help finding the perfect material for you, please give us a call at 304-472-6483 and we would be happy to give you a personal tour through our facility. Additionally, each week, on our Facebook, we will be featuring new slabs we get in. Follow us there for countertop material inspiration!