Quartz vs. Granite Countertops

Quartz or granite countertops are an exceptional way to add functional extravagance to your home. If you love the look of granite, Cambria designs offer the same aesthetic, but feature the unique benefits, elegance, and resilience only quartz can deliver. Before you begin your next project, it’s important to understand the similarities and differences of both materials.

Berwyn™

Quartz vs. Granite

Curious about the similarities and differences of quartz and granite countertops? Explore what sets them apart.

What Is Quartz?

Quartz countertops are made of abundant natural quartz crystals that are then combined with binders and pigments to create its final, beautiful product. This process enables quartz countertops to be extremely durable, nonabsorbent, and resistant to stains, scratches, and chips. Available in a wide range of designs, colors, and consistent patterns, quartz also presents a uniform look from slab to slab.

What Is Granite?

Granite countertops are made from natural stone mined from quarries as large blocks later cut into smaller slabs. Each slab features unique patterns in a range of colors and designs. While granite is strong and durable, the process to create granite countertops leaves tiny spaces within the surface that can absorb liquids, potentially leading to staining if not regularly sealed.

Performance: Quartz vs. Granite

Quartz and granite stand out as popular surface materials. Discover the differences between how the two perform.

Learn more about quartz countertops

Maintenance

Quartz countertops are maintenance free, stain resistant, naturally nonabsorbent, NSF-51 certified, and never need sealing. To clean, just wipe with warm water, a soft cotton cloth, and mild soap, if desired. While durable, granite countertops need to be sealed to maintain their beauty and prevent staining.

Summerhill™

Durability

Since quartz is naturally harder than granite, it offers exceptional chip and scratch resistance. While granite countertops excel in heat resistance and impact durability, quartz’s resilience makes it ideal for daily use in high-traffic areas like kitchens and baths. Cambria surfaces are also backed by a transferable Full Lifetime Warranty and support of Customer Care professionals.

Hermitage™

Appearance

Quartz countertops offer a wide range of consistent colors and patterns, ideal for any designs and ensuring a uniform look. Granite countertops offer natural, unique variations that can pose more challenges when trying to find a slab that matches a kitchen or bath design. Quartz is often preferred for its versatility within various styles and color schemes, with Cambria known as an industry leader in design innovation.

Huntley™

Environmental Impact

Quartz is harvested by removing small aggregate quartz stones, which leaves a smaller footprint and generates less waste. This harvesting practice allows for more optimal native vegetation restoration. Granite countertops involve extracting large slabs from the earth in an energy-heavy process.

Countertop Cost Considerations

When deciding between quartz and granite countertops, price often plays a big role. From material costs to installation and upkeep, you’ll want to consider all factors before you make your investment.

Learn about quartz pricing

Summerhill™

Granite-Look Countertops

Experience the timeless beauty of granite with the enhanced durability and maintenance-free qualities of quartz. Enjoy consistent design options that offer the best of both worlds.

Browse granite-alternative designs

Hermitage™

Delicate gold veining swirls in tight and open patterns, creating lighter and darker pools of color. This elegant warm design glistens.

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Detailed view of Cambria Hermitage™ quartz countertop design

Berwyn™

Berwyn convenes swirls of whites, ivories, and creams with subtle gray veins and hints of gold and silver radiance throughout.

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Detailed view of Cambria Berwyn quartz countertop

Huntley™

A white, creamy base etched with fine lines hosts scatterings of warm, walnut-brown accents and gradated gray splotches to create an abstract composition that invites closer inspection.

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Detailed view of Cambria Huntley™ quartz countertop design

Granite-Look Countertop Samples

Loving multiple Cambria designs? Order samples to see which ones best stand out in your home. Just select the ones you want, and we’ll send them to your home.

Order your quartz samples

Frequently Asked Questions

How do Cambria quartz surfaces compare to granite?

Cambria is made from natural quartz, one of the hardest minerals on Earth, for superior durability and performance. With Cambria, you can get the look and feel of granite but with the benefit of it being nonabsorbent and maintenance free. Simply clean Cambria with warm water, a soft cotton cloth, and mild soap, if desired. Cambria is stain resistant and never needs sealing or reconditioning.

Where can granite-look quartz designs be purchased?

Cambria granite-look designs can be purchased at one of our retail partner locations. Use our online retail locator to find our closest partner who can provide you with a quartz countertop estimate. Generally, you will need the dimensions of your cabinet layout, information regarding backsplash requirements, edge profile selections, and your sink and stove locations and dimensions to get an accurate estimate.

Is a Cambria quartz surface a natural stone?

Cambria is made from pure natural quartz, pigments, and binders. Quartz is the extremely hard mineral that gives Cambria its strength. Our unique process results in a quartz product of uncommon elegance, style, and superior durability.