Granite is tough, resistant to staining, etching, and won't scorch if you happen to place a hot pan on it. Homeowners, who want an extra level of protection, can quickly seal their countertops in about 10 minutes and have a lifetime warranty against staining.
Durability
It's extremely tough, one of the toughest stone materials available for kitchen countertops, and is resistant to chipping or scratching. Granite can also be sealed (Stoneworx® includes factory sealing with every countertop), which helps to make it even more durable so that it lasts longer.
Durability, ease of maintenance, cost, the environment, and project limitations are all reasons why granite is preferable over quartz countertops.
Durable: Granite countertops resist damage from heat and scratch better than almost all other types of countertops. They'll also last longer than most. Resale value: A home seller can expect to recover around 25% of the retail cost of recently installed granite tops.
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.
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.
Both countertop materials are similar in terms of cleaning and maintenance, but it seems that quartz may have a slight edge since it never needs to be sealed, and since it's a nonporous surface, stains or liquids penetrating the surface aren't as worrisome as they are with natural stone.
Reasons to be Cautious about Granite Countertops
Granite is porous. This means that unsealed or poorly sealed counters can absorb wine, juice or oil, producing a stain that might be impossible to remove. A poorly-sealed countertop can also harbor bacteria in its pores.
Both materials are very durable and enhance interior designs and functionality, but which one costs less? Generally, quartz is less expensive than granite, but many factors influence the total price of a project.
Natural features aside, some granite slabs do sustain physical damage, especially during shipping, fabrication, or installation. Since slabs desined for kitchen countertops are typically thin, between 2 and 3 cm thick, they can chip, crack, or break if not handled properly.
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.
Heat Resistant: Granite countertops will not melt, blister, nor change color when exposed to heat. Unlike Quartz, Granite is one of the most heat-resistant countertops on the market. If you take a hot pan out of the oven, you can place it directly on your countertop surface without any harm!
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.
No design trend is beyond redemption, though—and granite countertops definitely fall within that category. In fact, designers are loving this material once again, and we're here to show you why.
Granite countertops don't depreciate in value. It's a one-of-a-kind, natural surface that has an almost luminous look. Granite adds value to your home. It's sanitary — granite is naturally resistant to bacteria.
When choosing a natural stone option, granite is widely considered to be the best stone slab for kitchen countertops. It has a reputation as a premium stone material that will elevate your kitchen design. One of the most appealing features of granite countertops are their beauty.
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.
After all, will one splatter of spaghetti from Sunday dinner or an accidental wine spill ruin your countertop? The answer is that while no material is completely 100-percent stain-proof, granite countertops are surprisingly stain-resistant— and that includes light colors, too!
Radon released from granite building materials can be released over the lifetime of use but typically will be diluted by ventilation. In addition to radon, naturally occurring radioactive elements in the granite can emit small amounts of beta and gamma radiation.
Jokes apart, it is expected that with proper care, the lifespan of a granite countertop can be up to 30 years or more. In fact, it can even outlive your house. However, that is just an arbitrary number that can increase or decrease depending on how you maintain granite.
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.
As a countertop material, stainless steel is as low-maintenance as it gets. No sealing or refinishing is ever required, and cleaning is easy with mild soap products. These countertops work very well in the kitchen or bath since they won't be stained by food, juice, facial cleansers, etc.
Note: Some experts will recommend sealing granite countertops every “6-12 months” or “3-5 years”, but there is no hard and fast rule.