KITCHENS | WRITTEN bY NICHOLE GORDON
Quartz vs. Granite Countertops: Which Is the Best Choice for Your 2024 Kitchen?
When it comes to selecting the perfect countertop material for your kitchen, the choice often boils down to quartz and granite.
Selecting the right countertop material is a pivotal decision in kitchen design, one that significantly influences the space's look, feel, and functionality.
In Hawke's Bay and, in fact almost all of New Zealand, where kitchen design merges innovation with nature, the choice between quartz and granite countertops is pivotal.
Quartz offers sleek, engineered beauty and low maintenance, while granite brings timeless elegance and natural variation to your kitchen. Both materials stand out for their durability and style, shaping the heart of the home, but careful consideration is required to ensure the benchtop material you choose matches your lifestyle, style of the home, and your approach to caring for your kitchen because if you love cooking and find yourself cleaning up the next morning then natural stones and granites may not be for you.
new Zealand is known for its picturesque landscapes and design-forward thinking, selecting the right countertop—be it the uniform allure of quartz or the organic charm of granite—will define your kitchen's character and functionality for years to come.
First, let’s discuss Quartz Countertops; the man made solution to stone counters without the pros and cons of using natural stone
Quartz countertops represent the pinnacle of engineered stone technology, blending natural quartz crystals with high-performance resins and vibrant pigments to create a surface that's both stunning and robust. This innovative material offers a plethora of colors and patterns, ranging from monochromatic solids to complex, stone-like textures, providing unparalleled versatility in kitchen design.
Pros of Quartz Countertops
Quartz stands out for its remarkable durability. It is harder than many natural stones, making it resistant to the daily wear and tear of kitchen activities. Its surface withstands scratches, chips, and stains more effectively, retaining its pristine appearance over time.
The non-porous nature of quartz is a significant advantage. Unlike natural stone, it doesn’t require regular sealing, reducing long-term upkeep costs and effort. Simple cleaning with soap and water is sufficient to maintain its luster and hygiene, making it a practical choice for high-traffic kitchens.
The controlled manufacturing process of quartz ensures a consistent color and pattern across slabs. This uniformity is ideal for large kitchen layouts where seamlessness and aesthetic continuity are desired, ensuring that every section of your countertop is predictably beautiful.
Quartz's non-porous surface does not harbor bacteria or mold, making it an exceptionally hygienic option for food preparation areas. This feature is particularly beneficial in maintaining a clean and safe kitchen environment.
Cons of Quartz Countertops
While quartz offers many benefits, it is generally more expensive than some natural stone options. The price of quartz countertops can vary widely based on the complexity of the design and the brand, making it a significant investment in your kitchen renovation.
Despite its durability, quartz is not completely impervious to damage. It can be sensitive to high heat, meaning that hot pots and pans should not be placed directly on the surface. Using trivets or hot pads is essential to prevent thermal shock and potential cracking.
Quartz is also currently banned in Australia now due to the levels of silicone causing silicosis in workers working with this material, some are even calling it the asbestos of our generation which is, let’s face it, terrifying.
We design functional, thoughtful,
and beautiful homes, fit for real life.
We design functional, thoughtful, and beautiful homes, fit for real life.
At FBD Interiors, our main focus is creating spaces that are both elevated and realistic for your lifestyle. And we walk through every step of the process right alongside you - whether it’s a room refresh, a new kitchen, or a full home makeover/build.
so how does granite, a natural stone, compare to quartz and what can we expect from this slice of nature?
Granite is the epitome of natural beauty in the realm of countertop materials, each slab quarried from the earth's depths, offering a unique narrative of color, pattern, and texture. Revered for its robustness and aesthetic appeal, granite has adorned kitchens for decades, bringing a slice of nature's artistry into the heart of the home.
Pros of Granite Countertops
The allure of granite lies in its individuality; no two slabs are exactly alike. This uniqueness means that your kitchen will feature a piece of natural art, with patterns and hues that add depth, character, and a sense of luxury, making each countertop a bespoke element in your home.
Granite's natural composition makes it incredibly tough and enduring. It withstands high temperatures, resists scratches, and, when properly sealed, repels stains. This resilience ensures that granite countertops remain a long-lasting, functional, and aesthetic feature in kitchens.
Opting for granite countertops can be a significant investment in your property's aesthetic and monetary value. Their timeless appeal and durability make them a desirable feature for potential homebuyers, potentially increasing the market value of your home.
Cons of Granite Countertops
Unlike engineered materials, granite's porosity means it can absorb liquids and stain if not sealed correctly. Regular sealing is necessary to preserve its beauty and functionality, which can add to the overall maintenance efforts and costs.
Due to the natural variability in granite, matching slabs for expansive kitchen counters or islands can be a meticulous task. It requires careful selection to ensure aesthetic continuity, which can be a complex process, especially for large or intricate kitchen layouts.
Granite also mainly comes in darker colours, so if you are looking for a lighter natural countertop then you may need to look into marble as your benchtop solution.
My personal preference leans towards granite for its earthy, natural colours and the unique, authentic look that simply cannot be replicated by quartz.
Granite’s distinct patterns and textures bring a piece of the natural world into the home, creating an atmosphere that resonates with the raw beauty of Hawke's Bay (and new zealands’) landscape.
In the broader context of Hawke's Bay interior design, the choice between granite and quartz countertops speaks volumes about the evolving preferences in New Zealand's architectural and design landscape.
Granite, with its one-of-a-kind appearance and robust nature, appeals to those who value uniqueness and the timeless charm of natural stone. Quartz, renowned for its engineered strength and diverse colour palette, caters to a modern aesthetic, offering consistency and ease of maintenance that many homeowners find attractive.
In Hawke's Bay, where the design ethos often reflects a blend of natural beauty and contemporary living, both granite and quartz stand as testament to the region's affinity for quality and style in interior design.
As we move into 2024 and 2025, the decision between these two materials will continue to shape the look and feel of kitchens across New Zealand, underpinning a broader narrative of personal taste, functional needs, and a connection to the natural or engineered environments we choose to inhabit.
Whether you’re drawn to the natural allure of granite or the sleek, modern appeal of quartz, both materials offer substantial benefits for creating striking, durable, and functional benchtops in the ever-evolving world of interior design.