Countertops - Quartz vs Granite

[alarmguy]

You keep writing this. Oddly I see the same in your defensive writing. Please show me in my writing in my first post where I went personal.

It's kind of a funny thing to keep repeating. Why?

End of conversation. Keep repeating?
I was answering your last question in your previous post to me. Why do you ask?

This is why you asked me and I explained my reasoning and replied to you =
"You purposely brought Formica up, because???? Seemed odd to me, almost like you were trying to denigrate Quartz countertops. I never said anything bad about granite really. I just don't like it as much."

 

[Pablo]

End of conversation. Keep repeating?
I was answering your last question in your previous post to me. Why do you ask?

This is why you asked me and I replied=
"You purposely brought Formica up, because???? Seemed odd to me, almost like you were trying to denigrate Quartz countertops. I never said anything bad about granite really. I just don't like it as much."

I wrote this:

Quartz has epoxy polymer in it and I suppose it will burn but putting it in the same category as Formica and Corian is disingenuous at best.

Sure you don't want to set a red hot pan on granite, nor would you set a pan over 300°F on quartz.

Funny you leave out the true pluses of quartz. Granite is brittle and does chip. Quartz can but it would almost have to be purposeful. Quartz is just physically tougher than granite.

Have you owned quartz counter tops?

And you said I went personal. I truly want to know in my statement how/where/when I went personal, or personally attacked you or others. I mean not to continue the fight, I wish to learn as to not repeat.

In my perception (MY PERCEPTION) your perception (YOUR PERCEPTION) seems to be quite irritated about what I wrote. This was not my intention.

It's countertops. I just don't get the whole "personal" thing. I never insulted you or your loved ones. I never attacked your beliefs. I did question your choices of comparison. This is NOT personal. It seemed odd to, you answered as to the why, but again to bring the lowest material into the discussion, just seemed like a very unusual comparison.

 

[alarmguy]

I wrote this:


And you said I went personal. I truly want to know in my statement how/where/when I went personal, or personally attacked you or others. I mean not to continue the fight, I wish to learn as to not repeat.

In my perception (MY PERCEPTION) your perception (YOUR PERCEPTION) seems to be quite irritated about what I wrote. This was not my intention.

It's countertops. I just don't get the whole "personal" thing. I never insulted you or your loved ones. I never attacked your beliefs. I did question your choices of comparison. This is NOT personal. It seemed odd to, you answered as to the why, but again to bring the lowest material into the discussion, just seemed like a very unusual comparison.

This is what you posted to me, the way I read it, is that you took my post personal. Maybe if you look at it again you can see how I might have thought that?
This was your post to me =
___________
"Quartz has epoxy polymer in it and I suppose it will burn but putting it in the same category as Formica and Corian is disingenuous at best.
Sure you don't want to set a red hot pan on granite, nor would you set a pan over 300°F on quartz.
Funny you leave out the true pluses of quartz. Granite is brittle and does chip. Quartz can but it would almost have to be purposeful. Quartz is just physically tougher than granite."
___________

Maybe I read your post to me but sounds like you were upset and defending yourself for something that wasnt directed at you. It's never my intention either. Words are how we read them. Im here way to often and natural some are taken the wrong way too.
Actually been cutting back my time here and now time to go work out in the yard. (peace)

 

[Pablo]

Maybe I read your post to me but sounds like you were upset.

I wasn't but no biggie.

I should have said how much I really do LOVE LOVE LOVE real stone. Heck I polish rocks! You know sometimes I'm quite surprised - some rock that sorta caught my eye (or I would never waste time polishing) - when complete - looks like an amazing countertop, just a small hunk and there exists a quarry full of the stuff? True value there.

 

[alarmguy]

I wasn't but no biggie.

I should have said how much I really do LOVE LOVE LOVE real stone. Heck I polish rocks! You know sometimes I'm quite surprised - some rock that sorta caught my eye (or I would never waste time polishing) - when complete - looks like an amazing countertop, just a small hunk and there exists a quarry full of the stuff? True value there.

Cool, im glad we are good, contrary to what some might think, I actually hate confrontation to the point now that after a while I use the "block" function, I enjoy debate though.
But in real life I am really nice guy *LOL* just ask my neighbors and willing to help them out anytime. It's pretty regular one of them strolls over here to ask me a question. Mostly why my lawn is so green.

 

[PandaBear]

Quartz for me without a doubt, it is chemically more resistant to corrosion than granite and more durable, less likely to crack. There are many style to choose from and almost the same price if not just slightly more expensive than granite.

Personally I prefer stainless steel but I don't think it is a style for residential in US, and just in case I need to sell my home I'd stick to what's popular.

 

[TheFleshRocket]

Thanks, all, for an informative thread. I have granite countertops at my current house and the house we are planning to purchase has Formica countertops circa the mid '90s that doesn't look great, so I'm going to upgrade. Before this thread, I thought that quartz was a stone similar to granite, and that it was a cheaper option to granite. Interesting that granite is actually the lower-priced option (confirmed by a quick browse at Lowes), and that it's man-made. Granite will be my choice for sure for any future counter deployments.

 

[alarmguy]

Quartz for me without a doubt, it is chemically more resistant to corrosion than granite ...

Just curious, can you provide a link to back up this statement?
I never heard of granite stone (sold rock) being prone to corrosion, I would think if anything Quartz would be less chemically stable being it is epoxy. Actually Quartz is not recommended for outdoor use or anyplace exposed to UV rays (sunlight for long periods of time)

Since quartz is a made made product I have read in some builders forum someplace that the people were having issues with the "sparkles" added to the quartz countertops corroding near the surface. Im not calling quartz products bad but since it is manufactured I read online there is and can be variances on how well the product it made and to be wary of some to good to be true low prices

I think this is pretty balanced but one can do an internet search using the terms "problems with granite counter tops" and "problems with quartz counter tops" if you are buying just based on problems and not what some might consider intrinsic value of a product.
Stone (granite) vs Manmade (quartz)
https://www.forbes.com/home-improvement/kitchen/quartz-vs-granite-countertops/

Everyone has their own thing, to me it's like giving my wife a natural diamond vs Manufactured diamond. I default to natural. I do understand if my home came with quartz I would be also VERY happy. We almost bought a home in Florida with quartz. Pick your poison and the only reason I am bothering to reply is I dont get the "corrosion" statement that you made.

 

[alarmguy]

Thanks, all, for an informative thread. I have granite countertops at my current house and the house we are planning to purchase has Formica countertops circa the mid '90s that doesn't look great, so I'm going to upgrade. Before this thread, I thought that quartz was a stone similar to granite, and that it was a cheaper option to granite. Interesting that granite is actually the lower-priced option (confirmed by a quick browse at Lowes), and that it's man-made. Granite will be my choice for sure for any future counter deployments.

Yes, many people do, it's all marketing and it works. I want to STRESS I am not knocking Quartz. I am simply someone who does not like misleading advertising. I am willing to bet 80% or more of the population thinks what you did that a quartz countertop is actually stone. I did too up until recently!

It kind of reminds me of another explosive fantastic marketing move by Samsung for their TVs when they switched the technology name in their TVs to QLED it made it sound special, even though Sony developed it around a decade ago. They did that because the public thought or were getting confused as LG was the one that was selling ground breaking technology OLED that no one else had.

HERE IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF THIS MISLEADING ADVERTISING, IT DRIVES ME CRAZY ( I truly do care about people)
From LOWES Home Improvement stores OF ALL PLACES.

You wonder why the general public gets confused? Check out this ad.
Referring to a man made product the might contain ground up quartz rock, along with other rocks and possibly even recycled materials such as glass, bound together with epoxy and advertised as "Stone"
There is NO Such thing as Quartz Stone countertops as we know them.
(and for anyone who wants to flame me, I am NOT in anyway calling it a bad product but lets not call it stone) Its like calling manufactured diamonds, diamonds.

 

[Pablo]

Just curious, can you provide a link to back up this statement?
I never heard of granite stone (sold rock) being prone to corrosion, I would think if anything Quartz would be less chemically stable being it is epoxy. Actually Quartz is not recommended for outdoor use or anyplace exposed to UV rays (sunlight for long periods of time)

Quartz is more resistance to chemicals - soaps and cleaners. It's the ground glassy stone and the epoxy resin binder that provide the resistance.

I have seen alkali from soap etch and eat real stone counters in hotels, labs, homes and such. Even liquid soap drips. Never leave soap on any counters and it's the reason only specific cleaners are recommended for stone counters of any variety.

This did surprise me a bit - I thought it was just strong bases, but acids too: https://mbstonecare.com/but-wait-i-thought-granite-was-immune-to-acid-damage/

As for quartz - I would avoid strong ammonia. It could harm the resin. I've not seen this, but strong ammonia and any stiff polymer - just seem like not a good mix, although more weaker ammonia comes in PE bottles.

Lastly - what do they use in labs: https://formaspace.com/wet-lab/chemical-resistant-countertops/

 

[JHZR2]

Granite requires a special cleaning and sealing twice per year. Many people don't perform this, and it becomes very noticeable.

My wife would say granite is a sign of an aged kitchen or a cheap kitchen. If you are never going to sell, go with what you like. If you might sell the home in the future, without a doubt quartz for the win.

Sure, if you just want to go with whatever the trend sales machine says for the day.

We’re not talking about tiled countertops, or Formica here.

A well featured granite can’t be beat. Everything requires some kind of cleaning and maintenance.

I agree in the op - if white, go quartz. There aren’t as many nice looking quartz options imo.

 

[alarmguy]

Quartz is more resistance to chemicals - soaps and cleaners. It's the ground glassy stone and the epoxy resin binder that provide the resistance.

I have seen alkali from soap etch and eat real stone counters in hotels, labs, homes and such. Even liquid soap drips. Never leave soap on any counters and it's the reason only specific cleaners are recommended for stone counters of any variety.

This did surprise me a bit - I thought it was just strong bases, but acids too: https://mbstonecare.com/but-wait-i-thought-granite-was-immune-to-acid-damage/

As for quartz - I would avoid strong ammonia. It could harm the resin. I've not seen this, but strong ammonia and any stiff polymer - just seem like not a good mix, although more weaker ammonia comes in PE bottles.

Lastly - what do they use in labs: https://formaspace.com/wet-lab/chemical-resistant-countertops/

Im not so sure I would be surprised by this. My question to @PandaBear was trying to understand what is was referring to with corrosion. Maybe your post answers that but I still dont know, doing a search I cant find the words corrosion issues with granite.

I have but driving myself nuts looking for it. About a complaint with a builder site that the sparkles in their Quartz countertops some of those sparkles are on the surface and they are corroding and leaving pits in the counter. I cant find the darn link though. I am sure like any product it was a bad run of counter tops or just a cheap quality counter. That was the only time I heard about corrosion.
The soul reason this stood out in my head (true story) is a family member has just commented on how they love the sparkle in the counter tops of another family member who just closed on a house in my area. It was then where I started to wonder as this is a production builder. I seriously doubt it's anything close to a widespread problem.

Anyway, choices are good and both products Quartz and Granite are solid choices, each has its own value to the individual. With my pet peeve taken into account as Quartz Counters being advertised as stone as I posted above by national home centers, in this case Lowes.
I only care because I am one to buy natural products from the earth (if I can afford them*LOL*) I would be upset after a purchase if I found out otherwise though honestly Quartz Counter would not have fooled me maybe.

 

[PandaBear]

Just curious, can you provide a link to back up this statement?
I never heard of granite stone (sold rock) being prone to corrosion, I would think if anything Quartz would be less chemically stable being it is epoxy. Actually Quartz is not recommended for outdoor use or anyplace exposed to UV rays (sunlight for long periods of time)

Since quartz is a made made product I have read in some builders forum someplace that the people were having issues with the "sparkles" added to the quartz countertops corroding near the surface. Im not calling quartz products bad but since it is manufactured I read online there is and can be variances on how well the product it made and to be wary of some to good to be true low prices

I think this is pretty balanced but one can do an internet search using the terms "problems with granite counter tops" and "problems with quartz counter tops" if you are buying just based on problems and not what some might consider intrinsic value of a product.
Stone (granite) vs Manmade (quartz)
https://www.forbes.com/home-improvement/kitchen/quartz-vs-granite-countertops/

Everyone has their own thing, to me it's like giving my wife a natural diamond vs Manufactured diamond. I default to natural. I do understand if my home came with quartz I would be also VERY happy. We almost bought a home in Florida with quartz. Pick your poison and the only reason I am bothering to reply is I dont get the "corrosion" statement that you made.

I ran a comparison based on what kind of cleaner I can use on each surface. Quartz said you shouldn't use bleach but it is not prone to acid or base (and no sharpie on quartz).

For natural stones including granites, I was told to only use stone cleaners that's PH neutral. When you dig deep down granites is a bunch of quartz and other mineral crystals. The same quartz in quartz epoxy countertop, but without the epoxy that's more shock resistant and chemical resistant but crystal grains of minerals to hold it together.

Also I have seen people put metal rebar at the sink area of granites but not on quartz, maybe it is just me but it is evidence to me that quartz epoxy is more shock tolerant than natural stones.

The "sparkles" in quartz epoxy countertop can be corroded yes, but you have a choice of what style you use. I pick a boring quartz with no such thing to worry about. I would probably pick the same boring granite if natural as well.

Style is subjective. If that's a must for your wife then you need to prioritize it over durability.

 

[alarmguy]

I ran a comparison based on what kind of cleaner I can use on each surface. Quartz said you shouldn't use bleach but it is not prone to acid or base (and no sharpie on quartz).

For natural stones including granites, I was told to only use stone cleaners that's PH neutral. When you dig deep down granites is a bunch of quartz and other mineral crystals. The same quartz in quartz epoxy countertop, but without the epoxy that's more shock resistant and chemical resistant but crystal grains of minerals to hold it together.

Also I have seen people put metal rebar at the sink area of granites but not on quartz, maybe it is just me but it is evidence to me that quartz epoxy is more shock tolerant than natural stones.

The "sparkles" in quartz epoxy countertop can be corroded yes, but you have a choice of what style you use. I pick a boring quartz with no such thing to worry about. I would probably pick the same boring granite if natural as well.

Style is subjective. If that's a must for your wife then you need to prioritize it over durability.

Agree, pick what makes one happy. My posts as you can tell, not everyone understood that quartz countertops are a man made product made from crushed stone vs granite that is literally a slice of stone. That has value for some.

That matters to some like me and others. I only say that because over the decades man made countertop products have come and gone.

Im 100% ok with your post until the last line "durability" but if you feel that way, that is why a manufactured counter top is for you and as I explained a true stone is for us. Each holds a value to the individual. Granite has stood the test of time over manufactured products.

 

[Pablo]

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
durability

noun​

1. The state or quality of being durable; the power of uninterrupted or long continuance in any condition; the power of resisting agents or influences which tend to cause changes, decay, or dissolution; lastingness.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

No doubt real stone lasts, but does erode. Rock only appears stable to us short lived humans. That said frictional type wear or even exterior weather resistance, real stone will hold up. Real stone is much better with HOT items, over 300°F.

BUT look at the other words.

I believe cleaning agents, acids, detergent and alkali soaps are absolutely deleterious to real stone. Real stone does not hold up as well as something with a polymer binder. See my above links, see what lab benches are made from - they have been made for well over 50 years in schools all the way up to the highest level laboratories.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

But for your kitchen agree - use what you like and can afford. And again, our Quartz countertops looked so much better at our old house than our current marble. I am slowly convincing the wife our cabinets are kinda lousy, faucet old, sink dingy. When that mission is complete, Quartz here we come.

https://denverstoneplus.com/quartz-countertops-thermal-limits-revealed/
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Here's a conundrum:

Throw a rock solid slab of meat, say a thick chuck roast on our old Quartz and it thawed REALLY fast. Same exact meat on this granite, fast but not as fast. This never seemed logical to me. With around 5% polymer, the man made stuff should be less thermally conductive. And granite alone is more so than quartz alone. Glass for comparison is not particularly thermally conductive. There must be more to it, for example our previous quartz countertops were the thickest selection and this granite is not as thick, so just more mass.

https://material-properties.org/quartz-density-heat-capacity-thermal-conductivity/
https://material-properties.org/granite-density-heat-capacity-thermal-conductivity/

 

[PandaBear]

Agree, pick what makes one happy. My posts as you can tell, not everyone understood that quartz countertops are a man made product made from crushed stone vs granite that is literally a slice of stone. That has value for some.

That matters to some like me and others. I only say that because over the decades man made countertop products have come and gone.

Im 100% ok with your post until the last line "durability" but if you feel that way, that is why a manufactured counter top is for you and as I explained a true stone is for us. Each holds a value to the individual. Granite has stood the test of time over manufactured products.

Agree. We all value different things. Some bakers I know would want nothing but a marble counter, but it is not for me ever.

What I am looking for in a countertop is easy to maintain and "forgiving to own" is probably a better way to describe than durable, without the tile grouts. If I love the grain pattern of a natural stone and want nothing more, I would just pick a natural stone, regardless of what other people say about Quartz.

I love stainless steel best but that's not a typical material for residential kitchen in the US, so that's not what I would pick for a US house.

 

[alarmguy]

You’re right about the stainless steel.
And as far as granite or quartz We just pick what we like best and/or I am happy with whatever the production builder puts in the house as long as it’s one of those two.

The house we almost purchased in Florida had quartz and the house we did purchase from the same builder in the Carolinas has granite. I really didn’t put any thought into which one I liked better meaning it had no impact on purchasing a house.

Now that we are in this house with the granite both my wife and I are appreciating it very much.
We feel that for some reason we got lucky with our slabs because even some people commented with about the pattern, seemingly matching up between the different slabs. we feel the coloring is kind of unique too, and interestingly, the tones match the rest of the house. The pattern creates a unique view depending on which direction we view it from. Our center island is the same pattern. I’m only describing what appeals to us. Options are great and so is competition!

I did from the very outset properly seal the granite with what’s known as a very durable oil base sealer called impregnator.

Pictures help convey what we like but not 100% accurate in the way it presents

 

[PandaBear]

You’re right about the stainless steel.
And as far as granite or quartz We just pick what we like best and/or I am happy with whatever the production builder puts in the house as long as it’s one of those two.

The house we almost purchased in Florida had quartz and the house we did purchase from the same builder in the Carolinas has granite. I really didn’t put any thought into which one I liked better meaning it had no impact on purchasing a house.

Now that we are in this house with the granite both my wife and I are appreciating it very much.
We feel that for some reason we got lucky with our slabs because even some people commented with about the pattern, seemingly matching up between the different slabs. we feel the coloring is kind of unique too, and interestingly, the tones match the rest of the house. The pattern creates a unique view depending on which direction we view it from. Our center island is the same pattern. I’m only describing what appeals to us. Options are great and so is competition!

I did from the very outset properly seal the granite with what’s known as a very durable oil base sealer called impregnator.

Pictures help convey what we like but not 100% accurate in the way it presents

View attachment 223016View attachment 223017

That's a very stylish slab. Again, beauty is in the eye of beholders and I can give you 2 examples:

1) My former boss, he got a house with a quartz his wife hated. They smash it and put in another quartz she like. It does not increase the home value what so ever but it makes her happy.

2) My parents pay extra for a style of granite that I found "old school and ugly". They love it. What am I to say.

 

[alarmguy]

That's a very stylish slab. Again, beauty is in the eye of beholders and I can give you 2 examples:

1) My former boss, he got a house with a quartz his wife hated. They smash it and put in another quartz she like. It does not increase the home value what so ever but it makes her happy.

2) My parents pay extra for a style of granite that I found "old school and ugly". They love it. What am I to say.

You just reminded me of something.
I do agree that some types of granite to my wife and I look old and tired and In our view. I remember a family member who had a kitchen, custom cabinets down to every detail that matched the hue's of the granite they selected.

Thing is that color pattern was at a time known in higher end homes and it didnt really survive the test of time, meaning when selling their home, many buyers felt what you describe, even though every detail was custom, together with the color of the granite, honestly, to my wife and I it just looked so out of date maybe a decade or so later that there is no way we would have liked to buy that house.

Quartz countertops and granite can suffer the same fate, choose something "out there" but considered new and exciting, the color pattern can turn old looking quickly. Their kitchen was just shy of a modern show piece when completed but wow, it didnt take long to look dated once taste in the marketplace changed. I cant even recall the last time I saw the granite color.
This also happened with Corian countertops for those old enough to remember.

 

[Pablo]

Here are couple close ups of ours. Those reddish tones are in the granite not stains. The last picture is a pit, small but should have been rejected. I DON'T blame the material.