Countertops
Quartz vs Granite Countertops: Cost, Upkeep and Which to Choose
Quartz vs granite countertops cost about the same installed, so the real decision is upkeep and look. HomeAdvisor puts quartz at $50 to $200 per square foot installed and granite at $70 to $185 per square foot. Quartz is engineered from crushed stone and resin, so it never needs sealing. Granite is natural stone, and many slabs never need sealing either.
Quartz vs Granite Side by Side
| Quartz | Granite | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Engineered: crushed quartz bound with resin | Natural stone cut from quarried slabs |
| Installed cost per sq ft | $50 to $200 | $70 to $185 |
| Typical project | $1,500 to $8,000 (HomeAdvisor); $2,600 to $4,400 (Fixr) | $2,000 to $4,000 (HomeAdvisor); $2,500 to $5,000 (Fixr) |
| Sealing | Never needed | Many slabs never need it; a water test tells you |
| Heat | Direct heat can damage it; makers say always use a trivet | No resin binder; trivets are still a good habit |
| Outdoor use | Standard quartz is not for outdoors (sunlight affects the resin); some outdoor-rated lines exist | Natural stone with no resin to discolor in sunlight |
| Look | Uniform, wide color range | Unique veining; no two slabs alike |
| Seams | Easier to match | Harder to match on busy patterns |
Pros and Cons
Quartz
Pros
- Never needs sealing
- Consistent color from slab to slab
- Highly stain resistant
Cons
- Direct heat can damage it
- Can look less natural
- Standard lines are not for outdoor kitchens
Granite
Pros
- Natural stone, every slab unique
- No resin to scorch or fade
- Works outdoors
Cons
- Some slabs need periodic sealing
- Slabs vary, so choose in person
- Seams show on busy patterns
What the Cost Figures Say
Per square foot installed: quartz $50 to $200, granite $70 to $185 (HomeAdvisor (Angi Inc.), How Much Does It Cost to Install Quartz Countertops? (Updated 2026-06-19)). For a typical project, HomeAdvisor reports $1,500 to $8,000 for quartz and $2,000 to $4,000 for granite (HomeAdvisor (Angi Inc.), How Much Does It Cost to Install Quartz Countertops? (Updated 2026-06-19); HomeAdvisor (Angi Inc.), How Much Does It Cost to Install Granite Countertops? (Updated 2026-06-20)); Fixr reports $2,600 to $4,400 and $2,500 to $5,000 (Fixr, Quartz Countertop Installation Cost (Updated 2026-01-29); Fixr, Granite Countertop Installation Cost (Updated 2025-01-31)).
What Actually Drives the Price
Slab grade and thickness, the edge profile, the number of cutouts for sinks and cooktops, backsplash height and local fabrication rates. Ask each fabricator to price the same slab, edge and cutouts so quotes compare.
Does Granite Need Sealing?
Often not. The Natural Stone Institute says many granite countertops never need sealing, and a good sealer can last years. Test instead of sealing on a schedule: put a little hot water on a busy spot, wait 10 to 20 minutes and wipe it off. If the stone has darkened, it is absorbing water and is due for sealing (Natural Stone Institute, Sealing Natural Stone Countertops (2006-11-08 (adopted)); Use Natural Stone (Natural Stone Institute), How to Care For Your Granite Countertops (2018-02-26)).
Heat and Outdoor Use
Quartz makers tell owners to always use a trivet or hot pad, including under slow cookers and air fryers (Cambria, Cambria Quartz Product Care (undated, accessed 2026-10-19)). Standard indoor quartz is not meant for outdoor kitchens because sunlight affects the resin; some makers sell lines rated for outdoor use, so check the warranty (Caesarstone, The Outdoor Collection FAQ’s (2021-01 (upload date))).
Health and Safety Note
Cutting, grinding and polishing engineered stone releases fine crystalline silica dust, which can cause silicosis. US rules on silica exposure bind fabricators and installers, not homeowners using finished counters, and OSHA and NIOSH publish a hazard alert for countertop work (OSHA and NIOSH, Hazard Alert: Worker Exposure to Silica during Countertop Manufacturing, Finishing, and Installation (DHHS (NIOSH) Publication 2026-101, OSHA HA-3768-2026) (2026); OSHA, 29 CFR 1926.1153 Respirable crystalline silica (construction) (current text, accessed 2026-10-19)). California adopted a permanent rule for stone fabrication in December 2024 (Littler Mendelson, Cal/OSHA Approves Final Respirable Crystalline Silica Regulation, While Other Potential Limits on Engineered Stone Remain Under Consideration (2025-01-15)). Do not cut quartz yourself, and ask your fabricator how they control dust (wet cutting, extraction, respirators).
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more expensive, quartz or granite?
They overlap: $50 to $200 per sq ft installed for quartz and $70 to $185 for granite (HomeAdvisor (Angi Inc.), How Much Does It Cost to Install Quartz Countertops? (Updated 2026-06-19)).
Can you put a hot pan on quartz?
No. Use a trivet; direct heat can damage it (Cambria, Cambria Quartz Product Care (undated, accessed 2026-10-19)).
How often do you seal granite?
Only when a water test shows the stone absorbing water. Many slabs never need it (Natural Stone Institute, Sealing Natural Stone Countertops (2006-11-08 (adopted))).
Can quartz go outdoors?
Standard quartz should not; outdoor-rated lines exist (Caesarstone, The Outdoor Collection FAQ’s (2021-01 (upload date))).
Is quartz dust dangerous?
For fabricators cutting it, yes; finished counters do not release dust in normal use (OSHA and NIOSH, Hazard Alert: Worker Exposure to Silica during Countertop Manufacturing, Finishing, and Installation (DHHS (NIOSH) Publication 2026-101, OSHA HA-3768-2026) (2026)).
Next: Kitchen remodel cost calculator · Cabinet refacing vs replacing · Find countertop installers near you
Sources
- HomeAdvisor (Angi Inc.), How Much Does It Cost to Install Quartz Countertops? (Updated 2026-06-19)
- HomeAdvisor (Angi Inc.), How Much Does It Cost to Install Granite Countertops? (Updated 2026-06-20)
- Fixr, Quartz Countertop Installation Cost (Updated 2026-01-29)
- Fixr, Granite Countertop Installation Cost (Updated 2025-01-31)
- Natural Stone Institute, Sealing Natural Stone Countertops (2006-11-08 (adopted))
- Use Natural Stone (Natural Stone Institute), How to Care For Your Granite Countertops (2018-02-26)
- Cambria, Cambria Quartz Product Care (undated, accessed 2026-10-19)
- Caesarstone, The Outdoor Collection FAQ's (2021-01 (upload date))
- OSHA and NIOSH, Hazard Alert: Worker Exposure to Silica during Countertop Manufacturing, Finishing, and Installation (DHHS (NIOSH) Publication 2026-101, OSHA HA-3768-2026) (2026)
- OSHA, 29 CFR 1926.1153 Respirable crystalline silica (construction) (current text, accessed 2026-10-19)
- Littler Mendelson, Cal/OSHA Approves Final Respirable Crystalline Silica Regulation, While Other Potential Limits on Engineered Stone Remain Under Consideration (2025-01-15)