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jen_marie_hans

Quartz vs Granite - truth please!

Jen Hans
hace 7 años
I was set on quartz, as I didn't want to worry about sealing, and from what I understood it was harder. I also like the marble "look-a-likes" quartz offers. But then I came across numerous threads about quartz cracking and having a terrible time with customer service because cracks aren't covered. So I talked to the local shop and the owner won't sell quartz anymore because of the issues like heat from appliances making it crack and chip.
But then I see people who have no issues.
In short. I have no idea what to do! Anyone know the "truth" behind whether quartz really has a lot of problems? More than granite?
Respuesta destacada
  • granite guru
    hace 7 años
    Última modificación: hace 7 años

    The reason some people can get away with a hot pot on one granite and not another is the same reason you cant put it on Quartz.....Resin.

    In the granite industry 25 years ago it was more abut monuments and construction materiel than it was counter tops. The selection of stone was not vast as it was now if you want an example of what colors existed 25 years ago take a walk in a cemetery not to much choice. The reason I point that out is those original granites where quarried out of the ground in the shape of a loaf of bread (block)then sawn up like the slices in a loaf of bread (slabs). Next they pass the slabs through a line polisher and polish it to a high gloss. These colors are dense stones and usually free of micro fissures mica and other crap that makes granite fragile this is the type of stone you can put a hot pot on no problem. As popularity for the use of counter tops grew so did the demand for more exotic colors but these exotic stones once cut into slabs were full of cracks holes pits mica and all the other crap us fabricators dislike in natural stone. To make these colors practical for counter tops resin was introduced. After the sawing process the slabs are heated up and coated with a liquid resin the heat helps the resin penetrate deep in the stone. After the resin drys it continues to the polisher as usual. The result of this resin is a more durable slab with a cleaner surface finish that is also darker with a great gloss. This is the type of stone if you put a hot pot or an acidic product on you will burn the resin in the slab and end up with pictures like joseph. Now a days the stone industry has more granites with resin than without even the older original stones are getting a coat of resin to enhance the colors. So when people ask me can I put hot pots on granite the answer is no.

    You might hear how Quartz companies say their product is safer for your health than stone, Well its true. Radon emitted from granite being the most popular scare tactic is one. The other reason i choose Quartz over granite is the chemicals thrown on granites. Absolute black for example is a very popular stone in both monuments and counter tops but as picky as we the consumers are in the search for the flawless look of a pure black counter tops, Suppliers have to tweak the work of mother nature because she just isn't good enough for todays kitchens. So the block of black is quarried and sliced as usual, It is one of the most dense stones available so it dosent need resin. Now dont think "oh good i can throw a hot pan on my absolute black counter top because their is no resin" because where it lacks in resin it makes up in black dye. After the sawing process they soak the slabs in black dye then polish them. Absolute black comes from India so what regulations they have to what sort of dyes they can throw at it is beyond me. A colleague of mine was visiting a suppliers in India to purchase containers of absolute black. Absolute black can have natural gas spots in the stone resulting in a big wet looking circle on your slab. The solution one of these suppliers had to deal with this problem was to hide the spots by soaking the slabs in hydraulic oil and essentially making the whole slab one big oil stain then black dye.This was being done while he was visiting the facility and was normal to them.

    Im not done yet! I had a client a long time ago walking through our inventory who fell in love with a certain stone but the colors didn't match her decor. To my surprise she asked if i could stain it like they do wood to make it fit her decor i laughed and said no. Well turns out 10 years later i was wrong. If you owned a quarry and wanted to double your revenue on your particular stone with out banging on fabricators doors for sales how would you do It? Take that crazy question i was asked 10 years ago and make it possible, When i received a stone called feratto to produce a counter top the supplier gave me a can with it said you need this for the edges its to stain it to match the top. I just chuckled to my self and thought of that lady 10 years ago. The reason for this story is again no hot pots and more chemicals on your kitchen counter. I have attached two photos one with dye and one without, same quarry but sold as two different stones. By the way the remnant from that job was put outside and 6 months later the sun has burned it back to its original color.


    So after this long history lesson on granite (if your still reading) you know now i chose quartz for my kitchen. When it comes to quartz if you suffer from some form of mild O.C.D stay away from the dark solid uniform colors they show every little defect on the surface. You will need to clean your counters with a glass cleaner instead of just soapy water because it will look like a dirty film, its like owning a brand new black car its going to be hard to keep it looking clean. As for chipping its more durable than most granite and sinterd products like dekton and neolith the sharper the edge on any product the more prone it is to chip. I recommend a pencil edge, thats a radius of the size of a #2 pencil very easy to produce by hand or cnc so not expensive to produce. As for cracks the majority of cracked quartz counters comes from poor fabrication and install. All inside corners on a quartz must have a minimum radius of 1/2 if you ask to have square corners because it fits your "modern design" and you must have it then your voiding the warranty supplied my the quartz supplier and fabricator. That dosent mean it will crack i have done thousands of square corners and seen maybe half a dozen crack in my years but the client was always warned that it is a possibility. If you dont know what brand of quartz to go with and think they are all the same aside from price just hold a sample of Cambria next to a sample of Ceaserstone or Silestone and look at it on an angle to a light. A good example to compare is Cambria Whitehall next to Ceaserstone blizzard the two look exactly the same until you see the gloss on an angle Ceaserstone looks like a sandy finish where as Cambria has a mirror finish gloss. They both stand true to stain resistant but the glossy finish will repel stubborn grime more than the sandy finish and it will clean easier. Cambria is in my opinion not just the better quality but they lead the way in setting new designs that the others try to copy.

    That's my 2 cents!

    Comentarios (87)

    • Jen Hans
      Autor original
      hace 7 años
      I agree Flo. I do not like anything but straight/pencil/whatever.
    • Dale Hadley
      hace 7 años

      Do straight edges have sharp corners?

    • PRO
      AHI Stoneworks
      hace 7 años

      Quartz manufactures will not warranty straight edges on countertops. They are too sharp and will definitely chip off. I have seen it in someone's home and it looks horrendous. A good fabricator will refuse to do sharp edges due to their knowledge of the quartz brand's restrictions on such practices.

    • D DN
      hace 7 años
      Owning quartz has very few rules. One of them is to treat it like an ultra-durable plastic (which is technically the resin) so you can't put items from your stovetop or your oven directly on your countertops. That will crack your countertops. A second rule is you get what you pay for. I have not heard of excessive chipping (on the edges) of the higher end brands of quartz. That notion also is true when it comes to customer service. The last rule--don't worry. I'm so very glad my husband talked me out of marble. Even as a very clean, careful couple who takes care of our home very well, our marble countertops would look pretty terrible after only 2 years. We use our kitchen all the time and our quartz looks brand new.

      [My husband and I use extremely heavy enameled cast iron cookware that is hand washed in our kitchen sink. Despite hitting the edges of our quartz around the sink over and over, we don't have any chips.]
    • Dale Hadley
      hace 7 años

      Dawn Danley-Nichols, what edge do you have on your quartz?

    • PRO
      Flo Mangan
      hace 7 años

      You can specify any treatment of the edges you want. I wouldn't call it "sharp" but it enhances 3cm granite or quartz. It is especially good in more modern settings, but works with any really. If you were concerned about "sharp" they could gently smooth that edge without creating another "plane" if you know what I mean. Almost like sanding the edge of a wood item just to knock the edge down a tiny bit.

    • D DN
      hace 7 años
      My husband selected a chunky ogee.
    • PRO
      Joseph Corlett, LLC
      hace 7 años

      I just charged a couple nearly $600.00 to repair all the chipped straight edges on their 2cm granite tops, re-profile and polish the sink cut-out, and rehang a leaking sink. Their home was for sale. The area in front of the dishwasher looked like a war zone, top and bottom.

    • wconrad56
      hace 7 años
      Última modificación: hace 7 años

      I put Cambria quartz in our remodeled master bath a couple of years ago and knew I wanted it in our new kitchen and powder room. I selected it for the master bath because it is non-porous, so I knew I wouldn't have to worry about soap rings, water, etc. We were told specifically not to put pots directly from the oven onto the kitchen countertop, but if you have a crock pot that sits in a holder (i.e., not directly on the quartz surface) it is fine. I absolutely love our quartz!

    • PRO
      Colleen Ferguson Design
      hace 7 años
      Última modificación: hace 7 años

      Hi there,

      There are many manufacturer's of quartz and not all are created equal, some are made with cheaper resins and others more expensive heat tempered resins which make them a bit more resistant to "thermal shock". Thermal shock is what causes the cracking in both quartz and granite countertops, going from one temp to another in extreme change. Neither material is indestructible, both have pros and cons, I would weigh out what is most important in terms of function and design and go from there. There are some who can put a hot pot directly on granite without incident but I would not expect this to be the case 100% of the time, some of this has to do with mineral composition and the inherent heat handling capabilities within that particular stone. Some granites will have quite a bit of veining in them and those areas can be more susceptible to cracking if put through enough stress which is why most suppliers will tell you not to sit on the overhang of your island or ask you not to place hot pots directly on your countertop. If you find a quartz supplier that says their product is resistant to extreme temperature changes I would ask for a copy of their warranty to ensure you are protected in the event it happens. Some quartz can stain as well depending on the manufacturer, be sure this is covered in the warranty. Some will go as far to show you samples of how their products do when acidic or high staining products are left on them. Both are beautiful options, choose what you feel most comfortable with after you gather your research and then do your best to protect your investment with hot pot holders and use the cleaners recommended by the suppliers.

      I hope this helps :)

    • Stacy Lawrence
      hace 7 años

      I have rarely seen one home where I've like the granite; it's sooo personal. Quartz on the other hand is much less offensive and can add to a much more cohesive look than busy granite. But, then there's marble. The best. I have quartz, love it, low maintenance, pretty and my kitchen looks light and bright because of the color I chose. Still, I regret not getting marble. I don't care about etching, etc. nothing beats the look imo.

    • PRO
      Joseph Corlett, LLC
      hace 7 años

      I just unetched a marble kitchen; they have deep regrets.

    • Linda
      hace 7 años

      Wow, Granite Guru...I may have to look at quartz a little more~ Thank you for the invaluable information!

    • Jen Hans
      Autor original
      hace 7 años
      Granite Guru - this is exactly what I was looking for. Thank you for your time!
    • Dee Sanchez
      hace 7 años

      Granite can be repaired far easier and in more instances than quartz though, wouldn't you say, Joseph? I haven't encountered a granite issue we couldn't fix, but we have torn out and replaced plenty of quartz.

    • PRO
      Joseph Corlett, LLC
      hace 7 años
      Última modificación: hace 7 años

      "Granite can be repaired far easier and in more instances than quartz though, wouldn't you say, Joseph?"

      Yes.

      Customers get what, where, and why, but I always keep how and who. No way was my name going on a notch-fill job like she wanted. Nuh-uh. Granite, maybe.

    • Jen Hans
      Autor original
      hace 7 años

      My only remaining worry is that I do not want to have to use a trivet or cutting board under things like a crock pot or instant pot or toaster. I never have and I'm afraid I won't get used to doing it. Do people with quartz really set these appliances on something to separate them from the quartz?

    • Dale Hadley
      hace 7 años

      Jen Hans, i am getting cambria quartz for the first time and i plan to use a trivet or cutting board or something for anything heat related!! I think it would be ok with a little heat, but i am taking no chances. This quartz is very expensive and i plan on keeping it for a longvtime lol

    • PRO
      Joseph Corlett, LLC
      hace 7 años

      "Do people with quartz really set these appliances on something to separate them from the quartz?"


      If they want to keep the coffeemaker from popping the fine particulates in their black Silestone, they do:

    • Jen Hans
      Autor original
      hace 7 años
      Joseph - what you're saying is they all rather suck?!?

      The previous owners had granite that discolored. there was a cabinet that sat on the counters and you could see the outline ahem it was removed. I honestly don't think they even used the kitchen prior to selling. could sun do that?
    • km kane
      hace 7 años
      I have both and haven't had any problems with either. I've heard and seen granite chipping though, I have a small chip in mine at the edge. I'm helping a friend with her kitchen now, and I can't seem to find any granite I like. Too busy.
    • Julie B
      hace 7 años

      Does anyone know the price points for good quality Quartz and granite?

    • Jen Hans
      Autor original
      hace 7 años

      I have gotten quite a few quotes - I need 54 sq ft. My quartz quotes range from $6000 to $8000. $6000 was for Cambria Torquay and $8000 for Caesarstone Calacatta Nuvo with quite a few in the middle like Hanstone Tranquility, MSI Calacatta Classique.
      The one granite quote I got was for Super White, which I believe is a quartzite. That came in at $5600.

    • Dale Hadley
      hace 7 años

      I believe my cambria is 90.00 per swuare foot

    • km kane
      hace 7 años

      I found they were about the same, with good quality granite slightly above Caesarstone.

    • BW
      hace 6 años
      Última modificación: hace 6 años

      After spending hours reading about quartz versus granite in the kitchen, I concluded that I do like the patterns or designs of a lot of quartz but I'd be foolish to do quartz because I do not think it's as worry free as granite -- pure and simple. Quartz is a man made product and resin is not dependable. I'm saving my fondness for quartz for the bathrooms (I have five of them.) in my new build where I can easily replace a relatively small, confined countertop. Replacing chipped or damaged kitchen countertops would be a major upheaval in my home. By the way, people who use marble in their kitchens in my opinion are foolish, impractical people who will learn from their mistake soon enough. Finally, my builder said that granite is definitely the better product for kitchens. Comments, anyone?!

    • PRO
      Flo Mangan
      hace 6 años
      I have had and done both. I much prefer granite. I just prefer real stone. I do lean toward the higher quality granite because it is more beautiful. Beauty and durability and at current market commodity prices you can't beat it.
    • BW
      hace 6 años

      That's a relief to hear. My builder told me that two years ago but I've spent endless hours researching and I really do think quartz has issues. Tonight I finally made up my mind to go with a White Delicatus Granite after seriously considering a Zodiaq Quartz. Thank you very much, Flo!

    • PRO
      Flo Mangan
      hace 6 años

      You are welcome and you will LOVE Delicatus. It is stunning. Just make sure you get to the granite place and personally select those slabs along with a cabinet door sample and flooring sample, paint samples if you have that as well. Getting all the pieces together will help you confirm your choice. Delicatus has some fairly wide variations so when you find the "slabs" you love, get photos of them, look on the side edges for the "bundle #, and slab# and take a photo and write those down. Make sure they are also on your granite/fabricator order specifically. Also, note that when you look at the slab at the yard, you will be looking at it in a vertical position. It will look different laying flat on cabinets, so try getting photos from a side angle. Get 3cm and do an edge that is simple for the biggest look. One slight grind on the top edge is sufficient, don't need an edge on the bottom of the slab piece. That will give you the biggest look. It will also look different in your lighting in your new space, so just be prepared for that. Backsplash selection will need to be matching your cabinets or the background of the slabs you select and quiet. Matching grout. I think those are the major factors. Oh, get undercabinet lighting so your backsplash "shines" and overhead and pendant lighting are spectacular! Hardware with the Delicatus is probably best in chrome or brushed nickle since it has gray undertones. But some are doing the aged brass with it since the aged brass has come on strong in the marketplace! I'm excited for you (in case you didn't guess! lol) so have fun, and keep us posted!


    • BW
      hace 6 años

      Flo, I was excited to read your reply re Delicatus! Thanks so very much. You have made excellent suggestions regarding the stone selection process. I'm doing gorgeous Brizo chrome faucets in the two sinks; however, I am not doing a backsplash except for 3 or 4 inches of the Delicatus. I despise tile and grout lines so I'm simply doing paint (Stone Hearth by BM is my current choice.). I'll never understand the popularity of subway tile. I know people love pendants but I find that they break up the flow of the room and I also find that many of them become dated relatively quickly. (I tend to hold on to any fixture I choose and don't replace them like many people.) I do have another question: Does the stone look lighter or darker when it's flat?

    • S H
      hace 6 años
      Quartz is not largely resin. Roughly 93% quartz 3% resin. Quartz is not porous=stain resistant. Quartz is harder than granite though some very light coloured quartz may discolour from extreme heat. It is generally as heat resistant as granite. It can be slightly more expensive depending on where you live.
    • PRO
      Joseph Corlett, LLC
      hace 6 años

      S H:


      Please do some more research before posting. The 93% v. 3% (where is the other 4%?) is engineered stone by weight, not volume. Estone is 66% quartz and 34% resin by volume.

      Engineered stone is not nearly as heat resistant as natural stone, no matter the color:



    • S H
      hace 6 años

      It was a typo..93% quartz on average and 7% resin and the quality of any product varies widely. quartz is a natural stone that is MUCH harder physically than granite. no denying it is engineered, but to state (as one coment did-that the composition of a quartz countertop is mostly resin) would be false and that was my only point. You can buy cheap quartz and you can buy expensive quartz. You can buy cheap granite and you can buy expensive granite. This will be due to location, rarity, and demand.

    • PRO
      Joseph Corlett, LLC
      hace 6 años

      "... quartz is a natural stone that is MUCH harder physically than granite."


      That's true, but it lacks context. You must compare a very hard 66% with a very soft 34% resin content against granite.


      This is why you can't get the gloss on estone that you can on natural stone. All that resin just doesn't shine as brightly, no matter how much you polish.

    • PRO
      Quartz - Stone Care, Cleaning & Repair Experts
      hace 6 años
      Última modificación: hace 6 años

      Joseph Corlett, LLC you figures are out

      Quartz is 93-97% quartz depending on the manufacture and range of stone.

      Your statement of very soft... where's the backing proof?? Corian is way softer that is why it scratches and can be repaired with some sandpaper

      Gloss rating is also incorrect as most new range of quartz is at 75gu which is what most granite are and above most marble. Whilst Corian is around 30 -40gu classed a semi gloss

      We can actually increase the gloss rating on quartz to over 90gu

      Again if you do not know what you are talking about..... PLEASE DO NOT COMMENT!!

    • tdemonti
      hace 6 años
      Última modificación: hace 6 años

      We cook nearly every day, from scratch. We both work full time and demand the least effort from the materials we are choosing. I researched my little heart out. All materials are susceptible to heat and other pressures. Read the specs for each brand. We decided to go with an acrylic countertop a.k.a solid surface . HIMACS only because I fell in love with one of the colors. . Acrylic because it's not cold (baking with yeast) and renewable (highly repairable). I brought samples of different materials home. and tested them with heat and every household chemical I could find. Put samples to the test.

    • tdemonti
      hace 6 años

      P.S. Mr. Corlett answered many of my questions.

    • PRO
      Quartz - Stone Care, Cleaning & Repair Experts
      hace 6 años

      tdemonti all stone will crack from heat, just at different temperatures. But all will break under point loads, quartz has a higher tolerance to this than any granite but the reverse is for heat.

      Great that you have done some testing at home in the environment that you are using them in... great idea.

      Best of luck with it all and hope you enjoy your new kitchen

    • PRO
      Joseph Corlett, LLC
      hace 6 años

      QSCCRE:


      You continually make the claim that I don't know what I'm talking about, but you never substantiate it.


      I'll wait.

    • km kane
      hace 6 años
      Dear
    • km kane
      hace 6 años
      Hey there Mr Quartz - Stone Care, Cleaning & Repair Experts: must you be so rude? Mr Corlett has a great deal of experience, and many of us value his expertise. He has shown us several examples of his work and knowledge in this thread and many others. You may not agree with him, but you don’t have to be so unpleasant. In other words, we don’t care to see your attacks.
    • kmkane123
      hace 6 años
      He DOES know something - many things. And so do you. But speaking of spouting off, you’re doing a great job of that. Seriously, I’d really just rather hear your opinion and thoughts, not your nastiness.
    • PRO
      Joseph Corlett, LLC
      hace 6 años
      Última modificación: hace 6 años

      QSCCRE:

      Tell me more about stone repairs, please.

    • PRO
      Flo Mangan
      hace 6 años

      Will you two stop it. You both bring great knowledge and expertise to the table, so comon man--end it. Move on. Please.

    • Bill Bacurat
      hace 5 años
      Última modificación: hace 5 años

      Not a big fan of Quartz so far. We installed Silestone. First day is a pasta stain that won't come out. Ghost stains seem to appear out of nowhere. A few little chips, which might have been from install, don't know. Would never buy quartz again, and won't recommend it either. One week in, and it already looks like crap. Much rather have a cheaper repairable acrylic. In fact, if this staining keeps up, I may turn this quartz into a shop workbench top, and re-due the countertops . Not a happy camper blowing 7 grand on friggin crushed stone and epoxy.




    • PRO
      Flo Mangan
      hace 5 años
      Yep. Sorry this is happening but i agree.
    • Dale Hadley
      hace 5 años
      I went with Cambria Quartz. It has only been a year but no problems. I do not place very hot things on it, but then again I didn’t do it when I had formica. I saw an earlier post about shining quartz, that some products simply lay on quartz. After washing I periodically shine with Pledge multi surface & it looks great. For those of you familiar with quartz is this Pledge multi surface good to use or do you have other suggestions?
    • RenoGirl
      hace 5 años

      We've had Cambria Berwyn Quartz in our kitchen for a couple years now. We have a large, long island made of the same that we eat dinner at daily. I've got a toaster, Keurig, wine fridge and a large crock pot that get alot of use. We don't have a single stain, cracking or any chipping. In my opinion this particular quartz just doesn't stain. We've left used refillable Keurig coffee filter cups on the counters for a few days at a time and zero staining. We've spilled tomato sauce. Nothing. We don't set hot pans and pots on the surface, we use a cork hot pad. We use cutting boards to cut on. Otherwise we use it as we'd use a counter in any kitchen. It looks just as gorgeous and sparkly as it did when it was installed. I'd use it again in a second...and we may be doing that in our master bath when we reno it this winter or spring.

    • Dale Hadley
      hace 5 años
      I have Berwyn too and i love it!
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