Quartz is usually more expensive. There are varying price ranges with both products. Both products are available in 2 cm and 3 cm thickness. General pricing for granite starts at $35/sq. ft. with quartz starting at $55/sq. ft.
Granite is a natural stone, cut from the earth. Quartz is a man-made stone with more of a patterned look. Granite must be sealed approximately once a year. Quartz never has to be sealed. Both products will have seams in larger pieces.
An average-size granite countertop can be sealed and maintained in about one hour per year. The sealing process is easy. Clean off your countertops. Apply a thick coat of sealer by brushing or wiping. Let it set for 10 – 15 minutes. Wipe off the excess.
Stone is heat-resistant but not heat-proof. Quartz can withstand heat to 340 degrees F; granite to 400 degrees F.
As a man-made material, quartz should not stain, and it doesn’t need to be sealed. Quartz is less porous than granite or natural stone. Granite should not stain if it is properly sealed (about once a year). And, it’s worth mentioning that, while both quartz and granite are stain resistant, stains can occur, especially if your counters come into contact with liquids or materials that are acidic or heavily-dyed. Citrus fruits or citrus juice, wine, red drinks, tomato juice, etc. are a few examples. Wipe up these spills immediately!
A mid-size kitchen takes approximately 30 minutes to template. Larger areas or several rooms will take longer.
A mid-size kitchen will take approximately three to five hours to install. Larger jobs that include a kitchen, laundry room, and three bathrooms will take approximately six to eight hours.
The next day. We recommend waiting until the following day to hook up any plumbing. This gives the glue fastening the under-mount sink plenty of time to set. Plumbing too soon may cause the glue to come loose. We generally caulk around a countertop as well. One day (or overnight) gives the caulk plenty of time to set up as well.
