Quartz is consistent and low maintenance, quartzite is the high-end natural stone, and granite is the natural stone people overlook. Eric explains the trade-offs, and which is worth the money.
Get a price for your projectRead what Eric says Transcript
Quartz, quartzite, granite: how to choose the best countertop.
Quartz countertops are what you typically see in a remodel. They're popular for being budget-friendly. They're a man-made stone, extremely consistent, and also low maintenance.
Quartzite is where you go for that natural stone, high-end look. Every slab is unique, and you also have to consider that the fabrication costs are typically higher than quartz or granite. Also, something to consider is that the maintenance on these natural stone products can be much more intensive than quartz or granite.
Granite is often overlooked, but it is actually a natural stone as well. It's extremely durable, it handles heat very well, and you can actually find some pretty beautiful slabs out there. One of the biggest downsides with granite is that certain patterns can make the kitchen look dated.
What's worth the money? For most people, quartz. If you want that wow factor and don't mind spending more, quartzite. If you find the right slab and want natural stone and not break the budget, granite.
Quartz, quartzite and granite are the three countertops Tampa homeowners ask about most, and the names alone cause half the confusion. Two of them are natural stone. One is man-made. Here's how they differ, and which one is worth the money for your kitchen.
Quartz: what you usually see in a remodel
Quartz is the countertop you'll see in most remodels. It's a man-made stone, so it's extremely consistent from slab to slab, and it's low maintenance. It's popular for being budget-friendly.
With us, standard quartz is included in the base estimate — the same price as standard granite. Premium quartz adds about 8 percent to the base.
Quartzite: the natural stone, high-end look
Quartzite is where you go for the natural stone, high-end look. Every slab is unique. Two things to weigh before you fall for one:
- Fabrication costs more. Quartzite is typically more expensive to fabricate than quartz or granite. It costs more to buy and more to cut, and it chips if the cutting is rushed. In our estimator, natural stone adds about 12.5 percent to the base.
- Maintenance can be much more involved. Natural stone products can need considerably more care than quartz or granite.
Granite: the natural stone people overlook
Granite is often overlooked, but it's a natural stone too. It's extremely durable, it handles heat very well, and there are some beautiful slabs out there.
The biggest downside is that certain patterns can make a kitchen look dated. The slab you pick matters more with granite than with the other two.
What's worth the money?
- For most people: quartz. Consistent, low maintenance, and priced the same as standard granite with us.
- For the wow factor: quartzite. If you want natural stone that stops people and don't mind spending more to buy, fabricate and care for it.
- For natural stone on a budget: granite. If you find the right slab and want real stone without breaking the budget.
More from Eric
More short clips from the jobsite on the same subject.
Swipe for more →
Questions people also ask
Is quartz cheaper than granite?
Not with us. Standard quartz and standard granite are priced the same. Premium quartz adds about 8 percent to the base, and natural stone like quartzite about 12.5 percent.
Is quartzite hard to maintain?
It can be. As a natural stone, quartzite can need much more care than quartz or granite. Worth weighing before you choose a slab for a busy kitchen.
Does granite make a kitchen look dated?
Some patterns can. Granite itself is durable and handles heat very well, so the answer is choosing the slab carefully rather than ruling granite out.