When selecting countertops for your bathroom or kitchen, one of the key decisions is choosing between quartz vs granite Omaha countertops.  Both granite and quartz countertops in Omaha are great selections for your new home or remodeling project, but knowing the differences, can help you make a decision.

Difference Between Quartz vs Granite Omaha Countertops

Countertop Material & Composition Quartz vs Granite

• Granite countertops is a natural stone formed by a combination of several minerals. It is mined, turned into slabs, and polished for installation.  The difference in the mineral content of each type of granite creates the range of colors.
• Quartz countertops is manufactured stone using a combination of crushed rocks and resins and pigments. Adding pigments to the crushed quartz provides the range of colors within quartz.

Character & Colors & Patterns

• Granite, as a natural stone, has a more natural appearance. It is found in many colors ranging from off whites to more exotic selections. Granite also has more naturally occurring imperfections.
• Quartz is colored with pigments and can come in almost any imaginable color from a natural marble to a wide range of whites and off white, to bright greens and reds. Slabs have a consistent look throughout. Because of the more uniform size and character, it doesn’t look as natural as other types of stones.

Hardness

• Granite is quite a hard material and resists chipping and cracking, although it is not recommended that you use your counter as a cutting surface. There is still a possibility of granite chipping, especially on the edges and corners.
• Quartz is engineered to be durable and resistant to chipping and cracking. It is also less prone to breaking during installation. Although it is highly scratch resistant, it is not scratch proof.

Heat Resistance

• Granite is quite heat resistant. A hot pot placed on a countertop will not discolor the stone. There is a possibility of thermal shock cracking it, so use a heating pad.
• Quartz is quite resistant to heat and can handle relatively hot water or warm plates, but be careful with cooking pans. Quartz can be damaged by excessive heat, so use heating pads at all times.

Maintenance

• Granite is resistant to moisture and staining when polished well and sealed with a sealant. The sealant wears down over time and must be resealed.
• Quartz countertops can handle oil, tomato, wine, coffee, juice and many other stainable products. Plus, quartz doesn’t hold viruses or bacteria so you know that your countertops will be clean when you wipe it down. One of the biggest benefits that quartz has is it doesn’t need to be sealed and its stainless.

Cost

• The price range of both granite and quartz is based on the actual selection, however, generally speaking, Quartz is approximately 20% to 40% more expensive than granite.
• Exotic colors and large slab sizes of granite can be higher price than quartz. There are also some options for quartz that can be more cost effective than granite.