Granite or Quartz Countertops?

[Bed Wetter]

Picking out new countertops. I'm usually game for whatever is low maintenance, but I'm REEEEAAALLY drawn to granite. Wife says no to granite because apparently it'll need to be resealed in 10-20 years and isn't food safe or something. Anyone here with granite countertops who doesn't like them? They just look so purdy, like a fine walnut gunstock. Someone please talk me out of liking granite so much.

 

[deleted_account]

granite is gorgeous. engineered quartz you are correct is "food safe" but most folks clean their kitchens enough for it to not matter. we use both in our builds depending on what's specified with no issue.

i actually really want a wood butcher block type counter top some day. so cool looking and when treated regularly is completely safe.

 

[Wild and Free]

Need to have any and all stone checked for safe levels of radon, some have way higher levels than others, it occurs naturally.

 

[You]

There is nothing to discuss. You know the handful of pros/cons. Just decide 'aesthetics or maintenance free, radiation free, food-safe-non-pourus'

 

[Traxion]

I've done a ton of each and wouldn't even consider granite unless it was really inexpensive and I could get the look I wanted. I feel that quartz is a far superior product. When you get quartz from a company like Cambria the fabrication is flawless. Run of the mill granite guys can do flawless work but I often see less than perfect stuff out there. You pay more for quartz but it would be my choice.

 

[Bed Wetter]

There is nothing to discuss. You know the handful of pros/cons. Just decide 'aesthetics or maintenance free, radiation free, food-safe-non-pourus'

I've found that when looking at home interior products, the reviews I read are written for women. Brief explanations with a "take my word for it because I said so" attitude without any qualifiers. I have to know how it works.

That said, I finally found a review done by men that shows the practical differences. Granite stains easily. While it's not difficult to remove stains, it could prove to be an endless venture. With kids in the house, my countertops are dirty more often than they're clean. A countertop that stains is a hell I prefer not to endure. Sadly, I'll have to revisit granite in another 15-20 years.

 

[DJE]

Love my granite looks great and haven't had a worry about food safe even with my crazy GF and our son.

 

[Bacon]

We have had granite for 10 years now. It does not stain and we have not done anything special to it in those years. Maybe if you had a solid dark color you could get it to stain. The trick is to get a multi color pattern and that hides everything. For us granite has been awesome.

 

[eyexer]

We have had granite for 10 years now. It does not stain and we have not done anything special to it in those years. Maybe if you had a solid dark color you could get it to stain. The trick is to get a multi color pattern and that hides everything. For us granite has been awesome.

If you think it doesn't stain do this. Pour some red wine or grape just on the counter and set a wine glass on it over night. The next morning see what you got.

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In regards to the two Quartz is far superior for several reasons. I'm not saying don't do granite. Granite has some amazing beauty. Just be aware of the pitfalls of granite verses quartz. And I would bet the warranty difference between the two is quite different. I may be wrong on that but I doubt it.

 

[martinslanding]

Quartz because I said so...you're welcome

 

[H82bogey]

I have had quarts for almost two years now. Mine are black. They are awesome. Have them in all bathrooms and kitchen. No complaints. They don't stain, and anything wipes up with ease. I can't say I have any complaints about them.

 

[Fishmission]

Have granite countertops on my outdoor kitchen and inside. I have yet to stain either one in 3 years
I have bird shit, grease from barbecuing, smoke soot from chimney and anything you can imagine has been on the outside countertop and it cleans up, not stained once

 

[eyexer]

Have granite countertops on my outdoor kitchen and inside. I have yet to stain either one in 3 years
I have bird shit, grease from barbecuing, smoke soot from chimney and anything you can imagine has been on the outside countertop and it cleans up, not stained once

those aren't the kinds of things that will stain granite. do the experiment I mentioned above lol

 

[Retired Educator]

Yes granite can stain, it's a natural stone. Then again, how often have you walked in a house and thought "Man, that's a nasty stain on the granite countertop"? It's just not that common.

Now, think about how often you have been talked into buying something other than what your really wanted? You will always be thinking "I wish i would have bought my first choice."

Both are good products. Learn as much as you can about each product and make your decision. When you decide based on what you really want and like you will be happy with it.

 

[Fishmission]

those aren't the kinds of things that will stain granite. do the experiment I mentioned above lol

Spilled all kinds of stainy crap on my indoor counters too. I seal them once a year which takes about 20 minutes
This is my second kitchen with granite so combined, I've had granite for 10 years. will just have to take your word on intentionally trying to stain countertops. I like granite and will never change to quartz

 

[eyexer]

Spilled all kinds of stainy crap on my indoor counters too. I seal them once a year which takes about 20 minutes
This is my second kitchen with granite so combined, I've had granite for 10 years. will just have to take your word on intentionally trying to stain countertops. I like granite and will never change to quartz

I'm telling you this because I know of several incidents with granite being stained over the past dozen years or so. A couple were red wine and one was grape juice. I can't recall the other incident. I don't want you to think it can't stain because it certainly can. Any acid based product with color will stain it. Sealing helps dramatically. But it has to be done on a frequent basis to afford that protection. Minimum once or twice a year depending on the use of the counter top. I have no problem with granite but people need to know the pitfalls of it. If they know that they will have no problems.