A practical comparison of quartz and granite worktops — looks, maintenance, heat resistance and cost — to help you choose the right surface.
Quartz is engineered stone: around 93% natural quartz bound with resin, giving a non-porous surface that never needs sealing and comes in consistent, predictable colours. Granite is 100% natural stone, quarried in slabs, so every piece is unique and it shrugs off heat better than almost anything. Neither is “better” — they suit different priorities, and we fit both from our Sheffield workshop.
| Quartz | Granite | |
|---|---|---|
| Material | ~93% natural quartz + resin (engineered) | 100% natural stone |
| Look | Consistent, predictable colours | Unique, one-off veining |
| Sealing | Never needed | On install, then every 1–2 years |
| Heat | Use a trivet — resin can scorch | Very heat-tolerant |
| Stains | Non-porous, stain-proof | Porous — seal to protect |
| Typical cost (fitted) | £250–£600/m² | £200–£550/m² |
If you want a specific, even colour — a clean white, a consistent grey, a fleck-free black — quartz delivers it reliably because it's manufactured. If you want the depth, movement and one-of-a-kind veining that only nature produces, granite gives you a worktop no one else has. With granite, always ask to see the actual slab before you commit, because two slabs of the “same” granite can look quite different.
Quartz wins here for most people. It's non-porous, so it doesn't stain and never needs sealing — a wipe with soapy water is all it asks (see our worktop care guide). Granite is porous and should be sealed on installation and re-sealed periodically; done properly it's still very low-maintenance, but it's not zero-maintenance the way quartz is.
Granite is the more heat-tolerant of the two — you can take a hot pan straight onto sealed granite far more safely than onto quartz, whose resin can scorch or discolour under direct high heat. Both are hard and scratch-resistant in normal use; we'd always recommend a board and a trivet whatever you choose.
The two overlap heavily. Entry-level quartz and entry-level granite sit in a similar bracket; premium designs in either can cost considerably more. The material is only part of the price — kitchen size, number of joins, cut-outs and edge profile all matter. See our worktop cost guide for current ranges — but the only way to know your figure is a measured quote.
Choose quartz if you want a specific consistent colour and the lowest possible upkeep. Choose granite if you love natural stone character and want maximum heat resistance. If you're still unsure, tell us how you use your kitchen and we'll point you the right way — no hard sell.
Quartz is engineered — around 93% natural quartz bound with resin — giving consistent colours and a non-porous surface that never needs sealing. Granite is 100% natural stone, so every slab is unique and it handles heat better. Quartz is lower-maintenance; granite is more heat-tolerant.
Neither is simply better. Choose quartz for a consistent colour and the lowest upkeep; choose granite for natural, one-off character and maximum heat resistance.
They overlap heavily. Entry-level granite can be slightly cheaper, while premium designs in either material can cost more — both typically run around £200–£600 per square metre supplied and fitted.
Granite. You can place a hot pan on sealed granite far more safely than on quartz, whose resin can scorch under direct high heat — though a trivet is wise with either.
Thinking about new worktops? We supply and fit quartz, granite and marble from our Sheffield workshop, across South Yorkshire and UK-wide. Get a free quote or call 0114 278 8525.
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