Quartz and granite account for the majority of countertops Kitchen and Bath Experts installs across Richmond, and we install both without preference. Each wins in different situations. This guide gives you the differences that matter in a real kitchen, not a showroom.
What they actually are
- Granite is natural stone, quarried in slabs, cut and polished. Every slab is unique, with movement, veining and color that no two kitchens share.
- Quartz is an engineered surface: roughly 90% ground natural quartz bound with resin and pigment, pressed into slabs. The pattern is designed, so it is consistent from slab to slab and from the sample to your kitchen.
Side-by-side comparison
| Factor | Granite | Quartz |
|---|---|---|
| Look | One-of-a-kind natural patterns; select your exact slab | Consistent, controlled patterns, including convincing marble looks |
| Sealing | Needs sealing periodically (typically every 1–3 years) | Non-porous; never needs sealing |
| Stain resistance | Good when sealed; oils and wine can mark unsealed stone | Excellent |
| Heat resistance | Very high; hot pans are generally fine | Resin can scorch or discolor; use trivets |
| Scratch resistance | Very high | High; avoid cutting directly on it |
| Chip risk | Edges can chip; repairable | Edges can chip; repairable |
| Outdoor / sun exposure | Fine | Can yellow in direct UV; not for outdoor kitchens or sunny windowsills |
| Seams | Visible on busy patterns; can be hidden on uniform ones | Easier to hide on consistent patterns |
| Cost | Wide range; entry-level granite is often the least expensive stone | Wide range; comparable to mid-to-high granite |
Choose granite if
- You want a surface no neighbor can duplicate and like choosing your slab in person
- You cook a lot and set hot pans down without thinking
- You are considering an outdoor kitchen or a counter under a sunny window
- You are fine resealing every couple of years, a ten-minute job
Choose quartz if
- You want a marble look without marble's maintenance
- You want the sample you approve to match what gets installed
- Low maintenance matters more than natural variation
- You prefer clean, modern or two-tone kitchens with uniform surfaces
What Richmond homeowners are picking right now
White and soft-gray quartz with subtle veining leads in Short Pump, Glen Allen and Midlothian new-build renovations. In the Fan, Museum District and Church Hill, where homeowners are preserving character in older houses, honed granite and soapstone-look surfaces are popular. Both pair well with navy, sage and two-tone cabinetry, three of the most requested cabinet colors in our Richmond projects.
Installation details that make or break the job
The material is only half of a good countertop. Kitchen and Bath Experts:
- Templates after cabinets are installed, not before, so the top fits the actual cabinets
- Plans seam placement with you, away from sinks and cooktops where possible
- Cuts for undermount sinks, faucets, soap dispensers and cooktops in the shop, not in your kitchen
- Supports overhangs over 10–12 inches with hidden brackets so an island seating ledge never cracks
- Offers eased, beveled, bullnose and mitered edge profiles, and explains how each affects price
Caring for your new counters
Granite: wipe with mild soap and water, reseal when water stops beading. Quartz: mild soap and water, no abrasive pads, trivets under hot pans, and nothing acidic left sitting. Both will outlast most of the rest of your kitchen with basic care.
Frequently asked questions
Which adds more value to a Richmond home? Buyers value both; what matters more is that the countertop is in good condition and coordinates with the cabinets. Neither is a wrong choice.
Can I put quartz in a bathroom? Yes. Quartz is one of the best bathroom vanity tops because it never needs sealing and resists cosmetics and water marks.
How long does countertop installation take? Templating takes about an hour, fabrication roughly one to two weeks, and installation usually a single day.
See both in person
The best way to decide is to put the samples side by side in your kitchen's light. Book a free consultation and we will bring samples to you, or visit our showroom [Client to confirm showroom] to see full slabs.