Quartz vs Granite: Which Works Best for Your Kitchen Space?

If you’ve ever stood in a half-finished kitchen, paint drying on the walls, and thought “Right… worktops — now what?”, you’re not alone. Choosing between a granite worktop and a quartz worktop can be one of those deceptively tricky decisions. It’s not just about looks (although we’ll admit, looks matter a lot). It’s about how your kitchen works day to day, and how much effort you want to put into keeping it that way.

At Mo’s Stonex, we spend our days fitting these surfaces into real homes — not just showroom displays. And that means we’ve seen the good, the bad, and the “wish we’d picked the other one” moments.

What Makes Granite Special

Granite is basically the celebrity of natural stone. Born deep beneath the earth from cooled magma, it’s been around longer than we’ve been cooking. Every slab is unique — no repeats, no exact matches. You could spot the same kitchen layout on Instagram, but your granite will still be one of a kind.

It’s hard as nails, laughs in the face of scratches, and it’s seriously good with heat. Put a hot pan down for a second and granite won’t flinch (though the sealant might over time). With the right care, it can last decades and still look like it belongs in a design magazine.

But here’s the thing: granite is porous. That means it can soak up spills if it’s not sealed properly — red wine, oil, the works. And it’s heavy. Really heavy. Your cabinets need to be up for the job. Oh, and if you like variety, the price can swing wildly depending on the colour and origin.

What Makes Quartz Different

Quartz, on the other hand, is a bit of a modern miracle. About 90–95% natural crushed quartz mixed with resins and pigments, then moulded into slabs that can mimic natural stone or do something completely different. Want white worktops with subtle veining? Done. Want a colour that doesn’t exist in nature? Also done.

The big wins for quartz? It’s non-porous — no sealing, no worrying about stains, no bacteria hiding in tiny crevices. It’s tough enough to resist scratches and chips, and day-to-day cleaning is as easy as a wipe with soap and water.

The only caveat? Quartz doesn’t love extreme heat. The resin can react if you plonk a pan straight from the hob onto it. So, trivets and heat mats are your best friends.

The Real-World Maintenance Test

Imagine this: it’s Saturday night, friends are over, the wine’s flowing, and there’s a pot of pasta bubbling away. Someone forgets a coaster, another spills a splash of red, and someone else slides a roasting tray straight onto the worktop.

• With granite, you might be fine — if it’s sealed. If not, those stains could be there to greet you at breakfast.

• With quartz, you’ll just wipe it and carry on chatting.

That’s the main difference in everyday life: quartz is lower effort, granite needs a bit of attention.

What Our Customers Say

We could talk materials all day, but nothing beats hearing from people who’ve actually lived with their new kitchen.

Lewis McGrath told us:

“After a dreadful experience with another supplier, we went with Mo’s Stonex and couldn’t be happier. From the first kitchen worktop quote to the final installation, the service was amazing. Speed, quality, price — spot on. Highly recommend.”

And Stuart Wagstaff summed it up nicely:

“1 phone call, 1 measure, 1 install. 10/10 from start to finish. I’m using them again for all my future works.”

Talking Numbers: 2025 Prices

Here’s the ballpark:

• Granite from £1,850 per slab (plus VAT).

• Quartz from £1,350 per slab (plus VAT).

Both can go higher depending on the stone, colour, and finish. Edge styles, thickness, and custom shapes all add to the bill. And remember — granite might have a slightly higher upkeep cost because of sealing.

So Which Works Best for Your Kitchen?

It boils down to what matters most to you:

• Pick granite if you love natural beauty, don’t mind a bit of maintenance, and want a worktop that’s literally one of a kind.

• Pick quartz if you want easy upkeep, a precise match to your kitchen style, and no worries about staining.

And if you want the extra reassurance of knowing your surface is as safe as it is stylish, our 0% silicon quartz range offers durability and peace of mind in one.

Ready to Choose?

Whether you’re replacing worktops or starting from scratch, we can help you see both options in your own kitchen lighting before you decide.

You can get a quote for your layout or order a free sample and put them through their paces at home.