skip to main content

Remodeling Design Dilemma Kitchens

lost on countertops, granite vs quartz

6 years ago

We recently renovated our very dated 70’s kitchen with white shaker cabinets from IKEA. I wanted a quartz with veining but had seen one granite that grew on me and was a great price point. Now three months after our first quote the sq ft price went from $50 to $87. Is that normal? I can’t see why when we were quoted quartz cheaper than that.

There are several different quartz I like (Spectrum Sophistication, Caesarstone Noble Gray and helix, LG Rococo, LG minuet, and hanstone Italian waves). I started to delve into if one brand was better over the other, did my research and had gotten discouraged by some of the comments on here. I had seen a lot of people suggesting against Chinese made quartz and to use one that uses Breton Technology. All of the above except for Spectrum use Breton. However, Spectrum is NSF certified. I need help choosing what color would look best against my white shaker. I want timeless, clean, calming and something that lasts.

Featured Answer

mayflowers

6 years ago

I read a good tip on here once on how to make choices. Compare only two and pick your favorite between them. Compare the winner of that round with another choice until you get to your final choice. But if you find a tile you love, I'd let that determine which counter I'd pick. Ceramic is more timeless than glass.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

kilcrease1
Original Author
6 years ago
Different lighting for quartz choices
Related Discussions
Help need advice Granite vs. Quartz
Q
Comments (21)
Like I said up thread, I have both quartz and granite in our kitchen: granite on the island, and a white quartz on the perimeter. The granite is pretty busy with a lot of movement. Even so, because of the highly reflective polish, it's easy to see smears. Oddly enough, it totally hides crumbs and other kitchen detritus (I just wiped a black ball point pen off that was hiding in the pattern!). We've had it less than a year, so we haven't had to reseal yet. The quartz isn't as highly reflective, which I like (my husband wanted the high gloss on the island). The more uniform color let us go with a busy mosaic backsplash, which we couldn't have done with our busy granite. It seems more "smear" resistant than the granite, and the light color makes it easier to keep clean, because I can see when and where it needs wiping down. As far as staining, I haven't had trouble with either surface. Two days after install, I left a box of blackberries on the quartz overnight, not realizing a pool of juice had soaked through. That left a shadow, but it came off immediately with a little Soft Scrub. And as far as heat, as I said, I'm kind of paranoid. It's not that hard to use pot holders, cutting boards and trivets, so that's what I do. Both surfaces have great qualities, it comes down to what you want to see in your kitchen.
...See More
Bianco Romano Granite vs. White Quartz
Q
Comments (9)
Have you seen the Bianco Romano with your own eyes? Is it white with beige or is it mostly gray? What do the garnet spots look like? I looked and looked for great BR, and ended up giving up.....the ones I saw in Portland were super gray with large garnet spots that looked like melanoma moles. Our local granite folks told us BR had been "all quarried out" and wasn't as pretty as ten years ago. So, be sure you look at it firsthand. If you love it, great. Be sure to look at the Finished Kitchens blog and type in "white granite" and take a look at the other BR counters. Also, go take a look at firsthouse mp's postings of her white quartzite (White Princess? White Fantasy?) It's really gorgeous, and looks like marble.
...See More
countertops: Quartz vs. Granite? Lighter color granites?
Q
Comments (23)
andreammd - I'm afraid I can't help much with stone yards in BC, I'm in Ottawa and I had to go to Montreal to get the quartzite. That said, I'm sure Vancouver must have a couple of great stone yards with a good enough selection to stock quartzite. I doubt you would find it anywhere other than in the lower mainland generally, but who knows? The quartzite goes by a few names, I've seen Luce di luna from most of the US posters, at Ciot (the stone yard I visited in both Mtl and Toronto) it is called Quartzite Bianca. There are other white/grey quartzites out there that seem to hit that combination of a marble feel without the granite look and yet more movement than quartz, so definitely call a few yards and ask to see everything they've got. I have also seen here on Gardenweb a few white/grey granites that I actually like - it would probably be worth looking at all of the white/grey quartzites and granites in case you see a granite you like as well. I saw lots of the more common white/grey granite slabs at Ciot, but nothing that really did it for me. Good luck!
...See More
countertop granite quartz vs corian
Q
Comments (10)
I am a fabricator. Pick the look you like 1st and then evaluate the different materials. With respect to chipping; either quartz or most granites are very chip resistant if the top corner of the edge is radiused at 3/8" or greater. I believe the vast majority of chipping complaints for either material are due to a sharp top radius. Any of the options you are considering should be durable. I have to disagree with others that assert that granite can't take hot pans. In 18 years I've only had one countertop failure due to heat and that was a lady that had four "lefse" burners set out for a party so the stone was subjected to hot spots for several hours. I move hot pans directly from my stove and oven on to my granite all the time with no ill effects.
...See More
wolfgang80
6 years ago
Quartz is being used in almost every flip and remodel in my area of SoCal and in almost all tv reno shows. This feels more like a trend than timeless.

Flippers and remodelers used what is now thought of as dated granite for years before quartz took over.
biondanonima (Zone 7a Hudson Valley)
6 years ago
If you want something calming, I would immediately eliminate the darkest, busy option on the right in your lighting photo. I would also eliminate the left-most of the three smaller pieces in the center - it's far too warm with your white cabs to my eye. After that it's a question of whether you want a mostly-white counter or a mostly-grey counter. The remaining two whites are similar, but I prefer the smaller piece with more prominent marbling.

BTW, where have you gone to look at granite/other countertop materials? With granite, there is so much variation from slab to slab, it can be really eye-opening to go to a yard and look at what's available. Something you may not have liked as a small sample may really appeal to you in a larger format.
Becky Richardson
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago

I'm going through a similar situation. Yesterday I reserved a quartzite slab, Mont Blanc, for my kitchen. Our shaker cabinets will be bright white and floor is gray/white porcelain tile. The quartzite will be $3000. over our counter top budget but it's not a cost dellema rather a design dellema. We'll have a 5'x10' island in an open design concept home so the island really takes on center stage. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
PRO
Filipe Custom Woodwork
6 years ago
Now three months after our first quote the sq ft price went from $50 to
$87. Is that normal? I can’t see why when we were quoted quartz cheaper
than that.

Price of natural stone being granite etc will fluctuate especially three months later.

1st Choice = 4th piece

2nd Choice = 1st piece.

3rd Choice = 2nd piece.
PRO
Anglophilia
6 years ago
I don't like the dark one at all. I think the decision between the others will be difficult for us due to variations in colors on computer monitors.

Whatever, just keep it simple.

Related Stories

KITCHEN COUNTERTOPS Quartz vs. Granite: The Battle of the Countertops

Read about the pros and cons — and see great examples — of these popular kitchen countertop materials

KITCHEN COUNTERTOPS Kitchen Countertop Materials: 5 More Great Alternatives to Granite

By Kathryn Peltier Design

Get a delightfully different look for your kitchen counters with lesser-known materials for a wide range of budgets

KITCHEN DESIGN Alternatives to Granite Countertops, Part II

Still looking for a new kind of countertop? Try sodalite, zinc, limestone, onyx and more

KITCHEN COUNTERTOPS Why I Chose Quartz Countertops in My Kitchen Remodel

By Lyndsye Felsman // By Design Podcast

Budget, style and family needs all were taken into account in this important design decision

KITCHEN COUNTERTOPS What’s the Difference Between Quartzite and Quartz Countertops?

By Marie Flanigan Interiors

Weigh the pros and cons of these popular kitchen countertop materials

KITCHEN COUNTERTOPS Kitchen Countertops: Granite for Incredible Longevity

By Ivon Street Studio

This natural stone has been around for thousands of years, and it comes in myriad color options to match any kitchen

KITCHEN DESIGN 5 Favorite Granites for Gorgeous Kitchen Countertops

By Charmean Neithart Interiors

See granite types from white to black in action, and learn which cabinet finishes and fixture materials pair best with each

BATHROOM DESIGN Bathroom Countertops: The Pros and Cons of Engineered Quartz

See why these designers like engineered quartz for its durability, color options and more

KITCHEN DESIGN Alternatives to Granite Countertops, Part III

9 more reasons to rethink the granite kitchen counter

KITCHEN COUNTERTOPS Kitchen Confidential: The Case for Quartz Countertops

If you want durability, consistent coloring and a low environmental impact, quartz might be the right material for you

Sponsored

More Discussions

"Timeless" bathroom for Spanish Mediterranean style home

41

White oak kitchen cabinets stain?

38

New Home Design Help

6

Kitchen design help!

18

What should I do with this brick fireplace?

10