Granite vs Quartz: Which Suits Your Kitchen Lifestyle?

Walk into any kitchen showroom, and you’ll hear it sooner or later — that inevitable question: “So, which is better? Granite or quartz?”
It’s the kitchen worktop world’s favourite debate, and if you’ve been scrolling through Instagram kitchens or sipping wine over Pinterest boards, you’ve probably already picked a favourite in your head.

But here’s the thing: picking the “better” one isn’t just about who wins on paper. It’s about which one fits the way you actually live. Your cooking habits, how much mess you make (be honest), and even how much patience you have for upkeep all come into play.

So instead of giving you a dry list of pros and cons, let’s talk through these two heavyweights in a way that makes sense in the real world.

First Things First: What Are We Comparing Here?

Granite — Nature’s One-Off

Granite is exactly what it sounds like: rock pulled straight from the earth, cut into slabs, and polished until it shines. Every single piece is unique. If you like the idea of your kitchen island being a literal slice of ancient geology, granite’s your stone.

It’s hard, heat-resistant, and full of character — but like anything natural, it has quirks. Being porous, it needs sealing every so often to keep it stain-resistant.

Quartz — The Modern Contender

Quartz worktop is the engineered alternative: crushed quartz crystals mixed with resin and pigments, formed into slabs.
That means you get complete control over colour and pattern — from subtle greys to white worktops that look like marble, without the marble headaches.

It’s non-porous, so stains and bacteria don’t stand a chance, and there’s no sealing required — ever.

How They Feel in Real Life

When you’re standing in your kitchen making pasta at 8pm, here’s what these differences actually mean:

• Granite will shrug off your hot pan, but it’ll sulk if you spill wine and don’t wipe it up quickly.

• Quartz won’t mind the wine, but it prefers you to keep hot pans on a trivet.

Both will survive years of chopping, sliding plates, and “oops” moments, but each plays to different strengths.

Price Talk (Without the Sales Spin)

If you just want the numbers, here’s a ballpark for 2025 UK prices:

Now, before you think that settles it — keep in mind:

• Common granite colours can actually be cheaper than fancy quartz.

• Rare granite with exotic patterns can be way pricier than most quartz.

• Installation costs vary slightly — quartz tends to be a touch easier to fit because it’s more consistent.

Best advice? Get a worktop quote for your exact layout and see how the numbers stack up for your kitchen.

Looks & Personality

Granite is the wild card — you never get two slabs the same. That’s either magic or maddening, depending on whether you like surprises.

Quartz is your safe bet — what you see in the sample is exactly what you’ll get in your home. That’s ideal if you have a very specific vision, like matching worktops to your sparkle worktops splashback or cabinet paint colour.

Maintenance Reality Check

• Granite: Needs sealing every year or so. Not a big job, but if you’re the kind of person who forgets to descale the kettle for six months, this could slip down the list.

• Quartz: Wipe it, done. No sealing, no fuss.

Daily care is basically the same: warm soapy water or a gentle cleaner and a soft cloth.

Hygiene Factor

This is where quartz has a natural advantage. Being non-porous, it doesn’t give bacteria anywhere to hide. Granite is still hygienic if sealed well, but that sealing is the “if” that matters.

Heat Resistance — The Truth

Granite can handle hotter pans. But realistically? In a modern kitchen, trivets and mats are your friends no matter what surface you have. Resin in quartz can scorch under extreme heat, but both materials are more than up to the demands of daily cooking.

Which Fits Your Lifestyle?

Let’s get specific.

• The Entertainer: If you love hosting and your kitchen is the heart of the home, both will work — but quartz’s easy-clean nature might make post-party clean-ups less of a chore.

• The Minimalist: You want everything to match perfectly, no surprises. Quartz is the obvious choice.

• The Romantic: You love the idea of a stone with a history, with patterns no one else has. Granite is calling your name.

• The Realist with Kids/Dogs/Chaos: Low maintenance is king — go quartz.

The Sustainability Angle

Quartz often gets the eco point because it uses leftover stone fragments, cutting down on quarry waste. Granite’s eco-cred comes from its longevity — a well-cared-for granite top can last a lifetime (and then some).

Resale Value

Both add value. Quartz often edges it for modern buyers who want no-fuss surfaces. Granite appeals to buyers who love the “real deal” in natural stone. Either way, you’re making your kitchen more attractive to the next person through the door.

The Final Word

If you want:

• Consistency

• Low maintenance

• Loads of design choice
  Go quartz worktop.

If you want:

• Unique natural beauty

• Top-tier heat resistance

• A literal piece of the earth in your home
  Go granite worktop.

Try Before You Decide

The easiest way to choose? Order a free sample of each. Spill something on them. Hold them in different light. See which one makes you think, yes, that’s my kitchen.

Then get a quote from us at Mo’s StoneX, and we’ll work out the numbers — no jargon, no pushy sales talk.