On average, granite costs from $80-$180 per square foot. Quartz can vary from $50-$200 per square foot. Both of these prices include installation.
The material is very heavy and should not be handled by any homeowner. Whether it is a kitchen remodel, bathroom remodel or any other home improvement project, granite and quartz are two of the top choices on the market. In general, quartz is the more expensive material, although some overlap in pricing exists.
Quartz is actually harder than granite and thus, more durable. In fact, quartz is nearly indestructible, and because it isn't porous like granite, it's easy to keep your countertops relatively bacteria-free. Be careful with cooking pans though: Quartz can be damaged by excessive heat, so use heating pads at all times.
Marble Countertops: The Most Expensive Stone Countertop Choice.
Quartz is generally less expensive.
For an average-sized kitchen with 30 square feet of countertop area, a quartz countertop would cost $2,100 to $3,000 installed versus $1,800 to $8,100 for a granite countertop.
Quartz is Easier to Maintain than Granite
This countertop achieves a high level of durability without any sealant. As opposed to Granite, which requires re-sealing each year to maintain a less superior guard against the common hot pan, spilled wine, and dirty hands. An easy to clean countertop is the new kitchen dream.
Quartz Countertops
Quartz is one of the strongest materials you can use, making it one of the best-value countertops available. Both scratch- and stain-resistant, quartz countertops can look brand new for years even after withstanding heavy usage.
Diamonds, emeralds, rubies, and sapphires are known as the "Big Four" gemstones.
Due to its beauty and durability, granite has been one of the most popular kitchen countertops for many years. When choosing a natural stone option, granite is widely considered to be the best stone slab for kitchen countertops.
Slate is one of the most affordable countertop materials, with an approximate cost of $20 to $60 per square foot. It is a stunning countertop material that offers a variety of colors including blacks, greys, blues, greens, browns, and even reds. And because each slab is uniquely made, it provides uniform countertops.
If you don't want to replace your countertops with granite, consider quartz, quartzite, marble, concrete, or the many other options from which homeowners can choose.
Porcelain countertops, concrete, recycled glass, and laminate are some of the more popular man-made countertop choices that are not stone. When speaking of man-made “stone,” more often than not people are referring to quartz countertops. Quartz can also be referred to as engineered stone.
Granite is naturally heat resistant, and heat damage would occur only if the granite was heated unevenly. So briefly putting a hot pan down on your granite countertop isn't going to cause long-term damage. That said, we don't recommend putting hot pans on granite countertops — not for the granite's sake but for yours.
You Can't Set Hot Pans on Them
Although quartz countertops are extremely durable and considered heat-resistant, putting a hot pan right on the surface can damage the material. As with most other countertops, you'll need to use a trivet or stove mitt to protect it, as heat can cause discoloration and/or cracking.
Granite is often cited as the most durable natural countertop material and is known for resisting cracks and chips. However, as a manufactured material, quartz rates a bit higher on the hardness scale and is slightly more resistant to damage.
Quartz countertops are the easiest natural stone to take care of. They are engineered using ground stone and resin, so they don't require regular sealing they way most granite and marble countertops do. This stone is non-porous, so it does not easily stain or etch.
You could be considering finishing, maintenance, staining, durability, color, or any other of the number of aspects that come with different countertop options. But when it comes to specific interests, namely doing high level cooking in the kitchen, top chefs in the world prefer granite countertops.
Quartz wins as the most durable material for any kitchen construction or renovation. Having a durable countertop is a lifelong investment and if you plan to sell your home at some point in the future, its value will be higher if you've used a durable countertop like quartz.
THE TOP 5 MOST EXPENSIVE GEMSTONES IN THE WORLD
The pink diamond “Pink Star” is the most expensive gemstone in the world. It was bought at a Sotheby's auction by Hong Kong jewelry chain Chow Tai Fook for an incredible $71.2 million. The stone was mined in South Africa and weighs 59.60 carats.
The most expensive and rarest gemstone in the world is a natural blue diamond. That explains the price of $3.93 million per carat. Blue diamonds were discovered in India and later displayed in a London collection in 1839. Traces of boron give blue diamonds their distinctive hue.
Quartz. Currently the most popular choice in kitchen countertops, homeowners choose quartz surfacing because of its many advantages. Quartz doesn't need to be sealed, and its seams blend very well.
The nominees for “best kitchen countertop” in selling homes are… Drum roll, please (or rolling pin, since we're in the kitchen)! Without a doubt, quartz, marble, and granite each have redeemable qualities. You'll find passionate loyalists for each of these kitchen countertop materials.
The national average cost to install new countertops at $3,102, with prices ranging typically between $1,859–$4,346. The expected cost of installing new countertops will vary considerably, usually $15 to $70 per square foot, depending on material, labor, dimensions/layout and the kitchen's location.