PRODUCT COMPARISON

QUARTZ VS. GRANITE

There are many surfacing materials available in the marketplace. Materials such as granite, marble, and a variety of stones are used in their raw form. Natural quartz surfaces are created with a combination of natural and synthetic materials to create the look and beauty of natural stone.

GRANITE

A natural, durable and hard stone (or rock), granite is composed of feldspar, quartz and mica. The hardest mineral found in granite is quartz crystal. There are countless patterns, grains and colors found in granite, but the ability to match different quarried granite is next to impossible.

While granite is abundantly available, not all granite has the same quality, and prices vary greatly with no long-term warranty coverage.

Naturally porous, granite requires sealing with proper and routine maintenance to prevent staining and bacterial growth. Granite is heat and scratch resistant, but prone to nicks, chips and cracks making it next to impossible to repair. The slightest imperfection in the stone will result in cracking.

Granite can be produced in regions with low standards in environmental and employee protection and in some instances with great environmental and human cost.

QUARTZ

A pure mineral with crystalline structure, quartz comes in a variety of colors due to trace minerals. Quartz has a Mohs Hardness of 7, compared to granite which is rated between 5 and 6.

Quartz surfaces are made from approximately 93% quartz crystals, combined with polyester resins and pigments to create the look of natural stone surfaces.

The fact that quartz is made in ISO regulated factories assures a very strong homogenous product—patterns and colors are maintained throughout.

Due to the instability of granite, it is generally required to add steel rods near any cutout or weak point. Quartz is a more stable and durable material, which generally does not require reinforcement.

As one of the hardest materials in nature, quartz surfaces are less likely to sustain chips, cracks and scratches. Quartz surfaces are also stain and scratch resistant and because they are nonporous, there’s no need for sealing, conditioning and polishing.