After 15 years fabricating countertops in the Bay Area, I can tell you that both granite and quartz make excellent kitchen surfaces. Granite offers natural beauty with each slab being one-of-a-kind, while quartz provides more color consistency and requires slightly less maintenance. Neither choice is wrong—it comes down to what matters most in your daily life and what fits your budget.

 

Here’s what most homeowners don’t realize: the differences between these materials aren’t as dramatic as marketing claims suggest. Both resist heat well, both last decades, and both need proper installation. The real questions you should ask are about pattern preference, how much upkeep you want to do, and whether you care about having a natural stone versus an engineered product. I’ve installed thousands of both types, and satisfied customers have nothing to do with which material they picked—it’s about choosing the right one for their specific needs.

What Granite Actually Is

Granite forms deep underground over millions of years. It’s pure natural stone, cut from quarries and polished into slabs. Every piece has different mineral patterns, veining, and color variation. You won’t find two identical granite slabs, which appeals to people who want something no one else has.

 

The stone is porous, meaning tiny holes exist throughout that can absorb liquids if left unsealed. This isn’t a deal-breaker—you just need to seal it once a year or so. I tell clients it takes about 10 minutes and costs roughly $15 for a bottle of sealer. Most people apply it while waiting for coffee to brew.

What Quartz Actually Is

Quartz countertops contain about 90-95% ground natural quartz crystals mixed with resin and pigments. Manufacturers create slabs in factories with controlled processes, which means you get consistent patterns and colors. If you order three slabs of the same quartz color, they’ll match closely.

 

Because resin binds the material, quartz isn’t porous. You never need to seal it. Spill wine, leave it overnight, and it wipes clean in the morning. This makes quartz appealing for busy families or people who don’t want to think about maintenance schedules.

Cost Comparison

In the Bay Area, material costs run similar for both—anywhere from $50 to $200 per square foot installed, depending on the specific stone or quartz pattern you choose. Exotic granites with dramatic veining cost more. Designer quartz colors that mimic marble also run high.

 

Installation costs the same for both since the fabrication process is nearly identical. We template, cut, polish edges, and install using the same equipment and methods. Where granite might cost you more over time is in yearly sealing, but we’re talking about minimal expense spread over decades of use.

Durability and Daily Use

Both materials handle normal kitchen abuse well. You can set hot pans on either one without worry, though I still recommend using trivets out of habit. Both resist scratches from daily cutting and prep work, but neither is indestructible—don’t use your countertop as a cutting board.

 

Granite can chip if you drop something heavy on an edge or corner. Quartz can too, though perhaps slightly less often. Both can be repaired, though granite repairs often blend in better because of the natural variation in the stone. On quartz’s uniform surface, a repair might show more clearly.

 

Acids like lemon juice or vinegar won’t etch quartz. They can dull granite’s polish over time if you don’t wipe spills quickly, especially on lighter-colored stones. In practice, I’ve seen 20-year-old granite counters that look great because the owners just clean up after cooking.

Appearance Preferences

This is where personal taste dominates. Granite gives you natural depth—the patterns go all the way through the stone. Light hits the crystals and creates subtle shifts in appearance throughout the day. If you love natural materials and want something with character and variation, granite delivers.

 

Quartz offers more control over the final look. Want white with tiny gray specks? You can find that exact combination and know what you’re getting before installation. Many quartz options now mimic natural stone so well that guests can’t tell the difference.

Environmental Considerations

Granite is mined, cut, and shipped—usually from Brazil, India, or Italy to the Bay Area. That’s significant transportation. Quartz gets manufactured in factories, which uses energy, though some companies incorporate recycled materials.

 

Neither option is particularly “green,” if we’re being honest. Both last long enough that you won’t replace them, which matters more than the production footprint for most people. Buy once, use for 30 years.

The Real Bottom Line

I install what clients choose, and I’ve never had anyone regret either material when they picked it for the right reasons. Choose granite if you want natural stone with character and don’t mind quick annual sealing. Choose quartz if you want consistent appearance and zero maintenance.

 

Visit stone yards in person. Look at full slabs, not small samples. Touch them. Imagine them in your kitchen. That hands-on experience tells you more than any blog post can.