Granite or Quartz: Which One to Choose for DIY Kitchens Worktop?

Quartz has been part of our kitchens and bathrooms for the last few decades. On the other hand, granite has been part of our lives for centuries. These days, quartz material is booming. It has become a trendiest material that is used to make worktops, splashback, upstands, and even window sills.

Interestingly, the battle of “granite and quartz” and which one is better to choose is rising, especially on Reddit. The tension between granite or quartz is escalating, and an important question is rising: Is quartz worktop better than granite? The simple answer is “yes,” but the reason behind it remains unanswered.

That’s why I (as an author) and my dear experts at DIY Kitchens Worktop company have mutually decided to answer this question in detail. Just read this guide to get completely honest reviews from serious workers and homeowners who have been working with these materials and using the quartz and granite worktops for decades.

Here we go!

Is Quartz Worktop Better Than Granite?

Absolutely, yes! Quartz is better than granite in many ways. Although both quartz and granite worktops are beautiful and durable, they are different in many aspects, especially in terms of strength. Quartz is a man-made, tough material that is purely non-porous. In this way, quartz is known as a more hygienic and maintenance-free material.

On the flip side, granite is porous, and it starts corroding when water or moisture gets absorbed into its surface. Still, it’s a heat-resistant and stronger material for kitchen and bathroom countertops, but not as hard and durable as quartz. Another drawback of granite is that regular sealing (approximately after one to three years is necessary). So, it’s a high-maintenance worktop that costs you a lot more than just a worktop.

In the next section, we are going to share a detailed overview of why quartz is better than granite. Plus, it is essential to clarify what factors evince the difference between quartz and granite.

Granite vs Quartz – Top 12 Features Compared

It is a common dilemma to choose between granite and quartz for DIY kitchen worktops. As we have mentioned before, granite has a long history and quartz is increasingly popular. Many wonder: Is quartz truly better than granite? This guide, with expert insights, will explore the key differences to help you decide. Let’s compare the top 12 factors and see who wins in the end and deserves to be installed in our kitchens and bathrooms.

1. Manufacturing

The fundamental difference between granite and quartz worktops lies in their origin and manufacturing process. Yes, it’s 100% true and this difference creates further other differences. Let’s see which material wins when we compare them in terms of manufacturing factor.

• Granite

Every homeowner knows that granite is a natural stone. We have been seeing and using this stone material for centuries in our homes. If the vintage homes of your grandpa and grandma are still in perfect shape, the chances are you will see the granite work inside that home.

This granite material is formed over millions of years deep within the Earth’s crust. It is created through the slow cooling and crystallization of molten magma. Then, it is quarried directly from the ground in large blocks, which are then transported to fabrication facilities

Here, the blocks are cut into slabs using large saws, and the surfaces are ground and polished to achieve the desired finish. Thus, each granite slab is unique and each piece of work is a product of natural geological forces. This means variations in colour, pattern, and veining are inherent and unpredictable.

• Quartz

In contrast, quartz kitchen worktops are engineered. This means they are a man-made product created in a factory setting. The process begins with crushing natural quartz crystals, which typically make up about 90-95% of the final material.

Then, these crushed crystals are mixed with polymeric resins that act as a binder. In addition to that, pigments are added to achieve specific colours and occasionally small amounts of recycled glass or metallic flecks for added aesthetics. This mixture is poured into molds.

It is subjected to intense vibration under vacuum (a process called vacuum vibro-compression) to compact the material and eliminate air pockets, and then cured in a kiln. This controlled manufacturing process allows for uniformity in colour and pattern across slabs. As a result, engineered quartz worktops offer a predictable look that is impossible with natural stone.

Who Wins?

It’s a tie. Neither granite or quartz manufacturing process is inherently superior. They simply produce different outcomes. Granite offers unique, natural beauty from geological formation and quarrying.

Quartz provides predictable patterns and colours through controlled engineering and factory processes. So…the “winner” here depends purely on whether you value natural variation or engineered consistency.

2. Maintenance

Maintenance is another important factor that distinguishes granite from quartz kitchen countertops. Let’s see which one is low-maintenance material in kitchens and bathrooms.

• Quartz

This is where engineered quartz gains a clear advantage, particularly for busy households or DIYers seeking ease of care. Quartz worktops are manufactured with a high percentage of natural quartz bound together by resins. This process results in a completely non-porous surface.

Liquids, food spills, and germs cannot penetrate this man-made material. This shows cleaning simply requires wiping the surface with mild soap and water. You don’t need special products for daily cleaning.

More importantly, quartz surfaces never require sealing throughout its lifetime. This benefit makes it exceptionally hygienic and hassle-free to maintain its pristine condition.

• Granite

Granite, being a natural stone, is inherently porous to varying degrees depending on the specific slab. This porosity means that liquids, such as oils, wine, or juices, can be absorbed into the stone. This absorption leads to stains if spills are not cleaned up immediately.

To prevent this, granite worktops require regular sealing. The frequency of sealing varies but is recommended every one to three years. So, you can’t skip this step. This is because it makes the granite surface vulnerable to staining and bacterial growth within the pores. So, sealing adds an ongoing task and cost to owning granite.

Who Wins?

Quartz wins when it comes to maintenance. This is because the need for periodic sealing and careful attention to spills makes granite significantly higher maintenance than quartz.

3. Durability

Durability is one of the main factors for kitchen worktops. After all, what’s the point of buying a worktop that can’t endure daily wear and tear. Both granite and quartz are renowned for their toughness. And both types of worktop materials offer surfaces far more robust than laminates or solid wood. Now, it is time to decide which one is a more durable material than the other.

• Quartz

Quartz worktops, while engineered, leverage the incredible hardness of natural quartz crystals. These crystals are one of the hardest minerals on Earth, and constitute the bulk of the material. Their manufacturing process binds these crystals with resins.

It creates a composite that is extremely hard and dense. This composition provides exceptional resistance to scratches and impacts. So, it is less prone to chipping, particularly around edges, compared to some types of granite.

• Granite

As you know, granite is a natural igneous rock. It has inherent hardness formed under intense pressure and heat over millennia. This makes it highly resistant to scratches from knives (though a cutting board is always recommended).

Moreover, it is capable of withstanding hot pots and pans directly from the stove for short periods. Its long history of use in construction testifies to its long-lasting strength.

Who Wins?

Quartz wins in this case. It is a highly durable material for homeowners who are searching for a great material that can handle their busy kitchen. Although granite is naturally durable, reviews and practical use highlight quartz’s engineered consistency. Its resin binder adds to slightly better resistance against daily impacts and surface marring.

4. Stain-Resistance

Let’s talk about spills! Kitchens are messy places. How do these materials handle dropped food and splashed liquids? So, checking which one wins from granite or quartz according to their stain resistance capabilities is super important. Let’s begin with the logical point of view mentioned below.

• Quartz

Quartz worktops are amazing here. Remember how they are engineered with resin? That resin binder makes them completely non-porous. Liquids like coffee, wine, oil, and juice just sit right on the surface. They cannot soak in.

Interestingly, a quick wipe with a cloth cleans them away easily. Now, you don’t have to worry about stubborn marks ruining your beautiful DIY worktop. This non-porous quality gives quartz a huge advantage against common kitchen stains.

• Granite

Granite is different because it is a natural stone. It has microscopic pores across its surface. These tiny holes can absorb liquids. If wine or oil sits too long on unsealed or poorly sealed granite, it can sink into the pores.

This causes difficult-to-remove stains. As we have mentioned before, you absolutely must seal granite properly and regularly. You also need to clean up spills immediately.

Remember, some granite types are more porous than others. This means they are more prone to staining without constant vigilance and sealing. Similarly, there are some high-quality granite that are less porous as compared to other countertops but they are costly, too.

Who Wins?

Stain-resistance is a clear win for one material. Find out which one handles spills effortlessly. According to our research work and factual data, quartz wins because its non-porous surface simply blocks stains.

5. Consistent Appearance

How important is getting the exact look you expect, especially if you are doing a DIY kitchen renovation project? This is a big difference between these two materials. Let’s decide which material type is best in this case.

• Quartz

Engineered quartz worktops are engineered for a big reason – consistency. The factory process carefully controls the mix of quartz, resins, and pigments. This means colours and patterns are uniform from one slab to the next.

If you need multiple slabs for a large kitchen, they will match perfectly. You can choose a sample, and the delivered product will look just like it. This predictability makes designing your space easier. You know exactly the aesthetic you are going to get.

• Granite

On the other hand, granite offers a totally different look because it is natural. As it is formed by nature, every single slab is unique and different from the other. Colours, veining, and mineral patterns vary widely. Even slabs from the same quarry batch will have differences.

This means you need to view the actual slabs before you buy. What you see in a small sample will not represent the whole piece. This natural variation is a key part of granite’s beauty and charm. It gives you a one-of-a-kind surface.

Who Wins?

When comparing consistency, there is a clear winner. Quartz wins because its engineered process ensures a uniform look, making matching easier. However, granite’s unique natural appearance is also highly aesthetically pleasing in its own way.

6. Wide Range of Colours and Patterns

As a DIYer, are you thinking about the look of your new kitchen? We understand that the available colours and patterns matter a lot. Let’s compare the variety you can find.

• Quartz

Quartz offers an incredible palette. This is because it is engineered. Its manufacturers like MO’s STONEX and DIY Kitchens Worktop can add pigments and materials to create almost any colour imaginable. You can find vibrant solid colours, subtle hues, and bold designs.

Furthermore, quartz technology also allows for patterns that mimic the look of natural stone, like beautiful Italian marble or even granite itself! This flexibility means you can easily match your worktop to any kitchen style or colour scheme you dream up. The design possibilities are endless.

• Granite

The colour and pattern range of granite stone is set by nature. It comes in the shades and designs that formed within the Earth over millions of years. You will find many variations of blacks, whites, greys, browns, blues, and greens.

Thus, they always come with unique natural speckles, grains, or veins. Plus, each slab is a natural artwork. However, your choices are limited to what different quarries around the world produce. You cannot get a pure, uniform solid colour in granite, nor can you create a specific, repeatable pattern.

Who Wins?

One material offers far more options for sheer variety. Quartz wins as engineered material allows for a broader selection of colours and designs than natural stone. Come visit our DIY Kitchens Worktop showrooms in the UK to see our wide collection of quartz that even looks like Italian marble, granite, and natural stones!

7. Heat-Resistance

Can you place a hot pot on your quartz or granite worktop? Heat resistance is an essential factor that needs your attention when you are shopping for a best material for your premium worktop, especially for a busy kitchen. Let’s look at how these materials stand up to heat.

• Quartz

Are quartz heat-resistant? Quartz is heat-resistant for everyday cooking activities. It contains natural quartz crystals that handle heat very well. However, the resin binders used to create quartz worktops are not as heat tolerant as we are thinking about it.

We don’t recommend you placing extremely hot items directly from the stove or oven onto quartz. It can scorch, discolour, or even crack the resin of your quartz slabs. So, it is best to always use trivets or hot pads for hot pots and pans.

Quartz cannot handle temperature that is approximately mire than 150 ∘C (300 ∘F). Safety measures will keep your surface safe and protect it from heat shocks.

• Granite

As we have discussed before, granite is formed under intense natural heat. This is why it is incredibly heat-resistant. You can place hot pots and pans directly onto a granite surface without causing damage to the stone itself.

It withstands temperatures well over 200 ∘C (400 ∘F). Although the stone is very tough against heat, prolonged exposure can affect the sealant applied to the granite. Using a trivet is still a good habit to protect the sealant and keep your granite looking its best long-term.

Who Wins?

It is a close call for everyday use. Both materials handle typical kitchen heat very well. So, it is a tie. Just remember to use trivets for very hot items on both surfaces for ultimate protection.

8. Cost Factor

Let’s talk budgets. Price is always a big part of the decision between choosing granite or quartz countertops. So, how do the costs of these worktops compare? Or, quartz vs granite: Which one is expensive?

• Quartz

Quartz is seen as the more budget-friendly option. Its engineered nature gives you more controlled production costs. Quartz falls into a predictable mid-range price point even though its prices vary depending on the brand, colour complexity, and edge profiles.

It offers the look and feel of stone without the high cost of sourcing rare natural slabs. Plus, it is the less expensive choice for a premium-looking kitchen surface.

• Granite

Granite prices can vary a lot. This is because cost depends on the specific type of stone, its rarity, and where it comes from. Common granite colours are priced lower, sometimes competitive with or slightly less than basic quartz.

However, exotic colours, unique patterns, or granite quarried from distant locations are significantly more expensive than most quartz options. After all, the price reflects the uniqueness and availability of that particular natural stone slab.

Who Wins?

Looking at the general cost trend, one material is usually less expensive. Quartz wins as it is budget-frindly. Granite is more expensive depending on the specific type and grade of stone. See how the numbers add up for your project!

9. Preferred for DIY Kitchen Projects

Are you curious about installing worktops yourself and don’t know which one suits best for a DIY project? This is where the difficulty level varies. Also, handling these materials takes muscle and skill. Let’s walk through the details which one is great option for DIY worktop projects.

• Quartz

Did you know quartz is extremely heavy which is a major challenge for DIYers? Still, its uniform composition makes cutting edges slightly more predictable than granite. But, it requires specialised diamond cutting tools. The resin in quartz can overheat if not cut correctly which can damage the finish.

In addition to that, moving and lifting large quartz slabs safely needs multiple strong people. It also need proper equipment to avoid breaks or injuries. So, it is technically possible for experienced renovators, but involves risk and requires precision tools.

• Granite

When we talk about granite, it is also incredibly heavy and presents even greater challenges for DIY installation. Besides that, cutting natural granite is harder due to variations in mineral composition and potential fault lines.

It is more prone to cracking or snapping during cutting, transport, or installation if not handled perfectly. This makes working with granite a high-risk task for anyone without professional stone fabrication and installation experience. If you try to install granite yourself, it increases the chance of damaging the expensive slabs.

Who Wins?

DIY installation is very challenging for both heavy materials. Quartz wins slightly due to slightly easier fabrication. However, professional installation is strongly recommended for both to avoid costly damage. For expert fitting, trust MO’s STONEX or DIY Kitchens Worktop companies.

10. Which One is Sustainable: Quartz or Granite?

Do you care about this beautiful planet? Let’s look at how these materials impact the environment. Sustainability is becoming more important for homeowners all over the UK.

• Quartz

DIY quartz worktops have some good points for sustainability. The main ingredient is natural quartz, which is one of the most common minerals found globally. Many quartz manufacturers also use recycled glass, mirrors, or other waste materials in their products. Terrazzo quartz is one of the best example of it.

This reduces waste and the need for virgin resources. Although the manufacturing process uses energy, the raw material is abundant. The durability and low maintenance of quartz (no harsh chemicals needed) also contribute to a longer and more eco-friendly lifespan.

• Granite

As we know that granite is a natural resource, but getting it out of the ground has environmental costs. Quarrying granite involves significant disruption to the landscape and can impact local ecosystems. It requires a lot of energy to extract and transport these heavy stone blocks.

So, getting granite from the quarry to your kitchen requires environmental footprints from mining, cutting, and shipping, often across long distances. Its sustainability depends heavily on quarry practices and transportation methods.

Who Wins?

It is a complex picture, but one gets an edge. Quartz wins here as its main component is very common and it can use recycled content, contrasting with granite’s quarrying impacts. So, see which material best fits your environmental values and choose that.

11. Zero Silica

Let’s talk about something really important for the people who work with these materials. Silica dust is a health concern in the stone industry.

• Quartz

Engineered quartz worktops contain a very high amount of crystalline silica. It is often 90% or more. This comes from the natural quartz crystals used to make the slabs.

The risk isn’t from the finished worktop sitting in your kitchen. The danger is from the fine dust created when quartz is cut, ground, or polished.

Inhaling this dust can cause a serious lung disease called Silicosis in workers. So, fabricators need strict safety measures like wet cutting, strong ventilation, and special masks to stay safe.

If you want zero-silica quartz worktops, DIY Kitchens Worktop have wide collection of these types of quartz.

• Granite

Natural granite also contains crystalline silica. However, the amount is usually much lower than in engineered quartz. Granite typically has between 20% and 45% silica content, though this varies by quarry.

Like quartz, the health risk comes from inhaling the dust produced during fabrication. This dust can also cause Silicosis. So, safety precautions are absolutely necessary when working with granite, too.

The risk level for fabricators is present, but considered lower compared to working with the very high-silica engineered quartz.

Who Wins?

Silica dust is a serious concern during fabrication for both materials. Engineered quartz has higher silica content than natural granite. This factor impacts worker safety significantly. Based on this information, who do you think wins the “Zero Silica” comparison? Do your research thoroughly and share with me who wins! In my analysis, granite wins here.

12. Which Material Increases Property Value: Granite or Quartz?

If you want to increase the resale value of your home or property, upgrade your worktops. But which material gives you the best return? Let’s find it below.

• Quartz

Quartz worktops are a big plus for many home buyers and realtors. People see quartz as a modern, clean, and upscale choice. And buyers love the low maintenance and hygiene benefits it offers.

The ability to achieve stylish and on-trend looks with quartz’s wide colour range appeals to many tastes. So, installing quartz makes your kitchen feel updated and high-quality. This means you will get increased perceive value that will make your home more attractive in the corporate market.

• Granite

Granite has been a sign of a premium kitchen for a long time. Buyers recognize natural stone instantly as a high-value feature. Its natural beauty and reputation for durability are well-established.

Moreover, granite kitchen worktops show a classic upgrade. But remember that it feels less explicitly modern than certain quartz styles. Still, its timeless appeal ensures it always adds significant value to a home. It signals a quality renovation that stands tall with the passage of time.

Who Wins?

It’s a tie! Both quartz and granite worktops are excellent for boosting property value. Plus, both materials signal a premium kitchen upgrade to buyers. However, quartz often has a perceived edge for looking especially premium and luxurious. It catches the eye of modern buyers.

Final Score: Granite vs Quartz

After comparing 12 key factors, the scores are in. Quartz finished with an impressive 11/12, while Granite scored 4/12. Based on this detailed comparison, Quartz clearly emerges as the winner for DIY kitchen worktops. Its advantages in maintenance, stain resistance, consistency, and range of colours make it a top choice. On the other side, if you love natural, beautiful surfaces, grab granite material.

So, are you ready to upgrade your kitchen with beautiful, practical quartz? Check out the wide selection at DIY Kitchens Worktop. You can contact us at 03332421415, info@diykitchensworktop.co.uk, or 07432065334. We are available 24/7.