The short answer
There is no single right answer — it depends on how you use your kitchen. Granite is natural stone, so each slab is unique and it is the more heat-resistant of the two, but it is porous and usually needs sealing once or twice a year to resist stains. Quartz is engineered — quartz crystals bound in resin — so it is non-porous, virtually stain-proof and needs no sealing, with a consistent colour, but its resin means it is less heat-resistant and a hot pan placed straight on it can scorch the surface. On price both sit in a similar bracket: granite around £270–£600 per m² and quartz around £280–£500 per m² fitted. Choose granite for keen cooks who want natural character, and quartz for a low-maintenance, consistent finish.
Granite and quartz look similar in a showroom but behave differently day to day. The real decision is about heat, maintenance and the look you want — here is how they compare on the things that matter.
At a glance
- Granitenatural, heat-tough, needs sealing
- Quartzengineered, stain-proof, no sealing
- More heat-resistantgranite
- More stain-resistantquartz
- Costboth ~£270–£600 / m² fitted
How the two materials compare
Granite is quarried natural stone, so colour and veining vary slab to slab and every worktop is one of a kind. It handles heat well — a hot pan straight from the hob is generally fine — but it is porous, so it is usually sealed once or twice a year to keep liquids from soaking in and staining. Quartz is manufactured from quartz crystals and resin, giving a uniform colour and a non-porous surface that resists stains without sealing and is easy to wipe down. The trade-off is heat: the resin in quartz can scorch under a very hot pan, so a trivet is sensible. Both are hard-wearing and long-lasting when looked after.
| Feature | Granite | Quartz |
|---|---|---|
| Type | natural stone | engineered (quartz + resin) |
| Heat resistance | high (hot pans usually fine) | lower (use a trivet) |
| Stain resistance | porous — needs sealing | non-porous — stain-resistant |
| Maintenance | seal 1–2× a year | wipe clean, no sealing |
| Look | unique, natural veining | consistent, wide colour choice |
General comparison for guidance — behaviour varies by specific stone and quartz brand. Sourced UK guidance from trade and stonemason guides.
How to choose for your kitchen
- Keen cook who puts hot pans down? Granite's heat tolerance suits you, with the trade-off of annual sealing.
- Want fit-and-forget, low maintenance? Quartz is non-porous and needs no sealing — just a wipe.
- Love natural character? Granite's unique veining means no two worktops are alike.
- Want a consistent, predictable look? Quartz gives uniform colour with a wide range to match a scheme.
Want help weighing granite against quartz?
We'll match you with a vetted worktop supplier and fitter who templates your kitchen and quotes both options, with heat, maintenance and cost set out clearly.
Frequently asked questions
Is granite or quartz better for a kitchen worktop?
Neither is simply better — it depends on use. Granite is more heat-resistant and naturally unique but needs sealing once or twice a year. Quartz is non-porous, stain-resistant and needs no sealing, but is less heat-tolerant, so a trivet is sensible under hot pans.
Does quartz need sealing like granite?
No. Quartz is non-porous, so it does not need sealing and resists stains with just regular cleaning. Granite is porous and is usually sealed once or twice a year to prevent spills soaking in and staining.
Is granite or quartz more expensive?
They sit in a similar bracket — granite around £270–£600 per m² and quartz around £280–£500 per m² supplied and fitted — though premium quartz colours can reach £600–£1,000+ per m². The final figure depends on colour, thickness and fabrication.
Sources & further reading
Figures on this page are typical UK ranges drawn from published sources and depend on your specific kitchen. They are guidance, not a quotation.