How they are made
Granite is natural stone, quarried in large blocks and cut into slabs. Each slab is different, with veining, flecks and color variation that come from the rock itself. Quartz countertops are engineered: crushed natural quartz is combined with resins and pigments and formed into slabs. That process gives quartz a consistent color and pattern from slab to slab.
Appearance
If you want a one-of-a-kind look with natural movement, granite delivers it, but you should see the actual slab before it is cut, because a sample can differ from the full piece. If you want a predictable, uniform look, or a clean solid color, quartz is easier to match across a long run of counters and an island. Many quartz lines are designed to resemble marble or other stone.
Day-to-day care
- Quartz is non-porous, so it does not need sealing and resists staining well. Wipe with mild soap and water.
- Granite is porous to varying degrees, and many granites benefit from periodic sealing to resist stains. Sealed and cared for, it is very durable.
- Both are hard surfaces, but neither is a cutting board; use one.
Heat
Granite generally tolerates heat better than quartz, because the resin in quartz can be discolored or damaged by a very hot pan. With either material, trivets are the safe habit, especially next to the range and on an island with a cooktop.
Islands and seams
In an open kitchen, the island top is often the largest and most visible slab in the room. Slab size determines whether the island can be done in one piece or needs a seam, and where that seam falls. With granite, a seam also means matching the pattern across two pieces. With quartz, the pattern is more uniform, so seams can be less noticeable. Waterfall edges, where the countertop wraps down the side of the island, use more material and need careful matching. Two Kitchen Kings projects in Reston use waterfall islands, shown on our projects page.
Edges, thickness and backsplash
Beyond the material itself, a few details affect the look and the price. The edge profile can be simple and square or more decorative. Slab thickness affects how substantial the counter looks, especially on an island. And the backsplash can be a short strip of the same material, a full-height slab behind the range, or tile. A full-height stone backsplash uses more material and needs careful planning around outlets and the range hood.
Matching the counter to the cabinets and floor
In an open-plan Ashburn kitchen, the countertop is seen alongside the cabinets, the floor and the family room. Bring a cabinet door sample and a floor sample when you look at slabs. A bold granite can be stunning on its own and busy next to a patterned backsplash; a plain quartz can look flat next to plain white cabinets. Seeing them together, in your own light, avoids surprises.
What Kitchen Kings uses
For quartz, Kitchen Kings works with MSI, a leading supplier of quartz and natural stone surfaces. Kitchen Kings' countertop service covers quartz, granite and other surfaces, including measuring and templating, removal of the existing countertops, cutouts for sinks, cooktops and outlets, and installation and sealing. The photo above shows a quartz slab in a Kitchen Kings remodel in Herndon that was in progress at the time. That project replaced the original granite countertops with quartz.
Cost
Kitchen Kings' published Northern Virginia reference range for countertop projects is $3,000–$12,000. Where a project lands depends on the material and slab chosen, square footage, the number of cutouts and seams, edge details and removal of the existing tops. In a full remodel, quartz or granite countertops are part of the mid-range tier ($35,000–$60,000).
What about other surfaces?
Quartz and granite are not the only options. Kitchen Kings' countertop service covers other surfaces as well, and the published cost tiers mention laminate and lower-tier countertops for basic refresh projects. A lower-cost surface on the perimeter paired with a stone island is one way to spend where it shows most. If you are considering a less common material, bring it up at the consultation so we can talk through how it is fabricated, installed and cared for.
Resale and everyday use
Homeowners sometimes ask which material buyers prefer. Tastes shift, and both quartz and granite are widely used in kitchens across Northern Virginia, so neither is likely to put buyers off. The better question is which one suits how you cook and how much upkeep you want. A countertop you are happy to live with every day is usually the right one.
How to choose
- Decide whether you want a natural, varied look (granite) or a consistent one (quartz).
- Be honest about upkeep: are you happy to reseal periodically?
- Think about where hot pans land, especially near the range.
- View slab samples in your own kitchen's light, next to your cabinet door sample.
- Choose the sink and faucet before templating.
Does quartz need sealing?▸
No. Quartz is non-porous and does not need sealing. Granite often benefits from periodic sealing.
Which is more heat resistant?▸
Granite generally handles heat better. The resin in quartz can be marked by very hot cookware, so use trivets with either material.
Which brand of quartz does Kitchen Kings install?▸
Kitchen Kings works with MSI for quartz.