Then you might see other rock names floating around, like shale, and wonder if any of that matters. Quick answer: shale is a soft sedimentary rock – great for geology examples, terrible for countertops. The real battle is quartz vs granite countertops.
When you start planning a kitchen or bathroom upgrade, one of the first money questions is:
Is quartz or granite more expensive?
Then you might see other rock names floating around, like shale, and wonder if any of that matters. Quick answer: shale is a soft sedimentary rock – great for geology examples, terrible for countertops. The real battle is quartz vs granite countertops.
The twist? There is no single universal winner. In many projects, quartz is slightly more expensive than mid-range granite. In others, especially where you choose rare stone, granite can be the pricier option. The right answer depends on the exact material, design, and fabrication choices you make.
This guide breaks everything down in a search-friendly way, while keeping granite as a central keyword and concept:
- How granite stone forms and why that affects price
- Real-world granite countertop cost vs quartz
- Maintenance and durability differences
- Design choices like white and black granite countertops
- Where to find affordable vs premium granite
- How Aardwolf granite products fit into your decision
We’ll also nod to fun geology tangents like
What Type of Weathering Is Illustrated by the Cracks in the Simulated Granite Outcrop?
and this classic rock question:
what type of igneous rock makes up most of the ocean floor – basalt, granite, lucite, shal, shale?
Understanding Granite Stone and Quartz (and Where Shale Fits In)
What is granite stone?
Granite is a natural igneous rock that forms when molten magma cools slowly beneath the Earth’s surface. That slow cooling lets large, visible crystals grow.
Typical granite geology and composition includes:
- Quartz – hard and scratch-resistant
- Feldspar – white, cream, grey, or pink background colors
- Mica & accessory minerals – dark flecks, shimmer, and veining
These minerals give the key characteristics of granite:
- Very high hardness and durability
- Excellent heat resistance
- Slight natural porosity (so sealing granite matters)
- Ability to take – and keep – a high polish
Weathering and tectonics can later crack, bend, or layer granite in nature. If you like the science side, dig into:
- What Type of Weathering Is Illustrated by the Cracks in the Simulated Granite Outcrop?
- How granite behaves compared to basalt and shale in:
What type of igneous rock makes up most of the ocean floor – basalt, granite, lucite, shal, shale?
Those topics connect the stone on your worktop to what’s happening in real rock outcrops.
What about quartz countertops?
“Quartz countertops” aren’t slabs of quartz crystal. They’re engineered stone:
- Around 90–95% ground stone (often quartz)
- Mixed with resins and pigments
- Cast into slabs and factory-polished
Quartz offers:
- Non-porous surfaces (no sealing needed)
- Very consistent color and pattern
- Great stain resistance
- Less tolerance for very high heat than granite
If you want more about price and performance from another angle, see:
And shale?
Shale is a soft, layered sedimentary rock. It breaks into thin sheets and weathers easily. In other words: perfect for geology diagrams, disastrous as a kitchen work surface. So in the context of granite vs quartz countertops, shale is just a contrast, not a real option.
Is Quartz or Granite More Expensive? The Short, Honest Answer
There’s no one-size-fits-all price rule, but you can think of it this way:
- For many standard kitchens, mid-range granite is often a bit cheaper than mid-range quartz.
- When you move into exotic, heavily veined or rare colors, granite stone can become more expensive than quartz.
- The actual difference often comes down to:
- Specific color and pattern
- Brand (for quartz) and origin (for granite)
- Complexity of your design and installation
So:
Quartz is often slightly more expensive than common granite – but rare granite can absolutely cost more than many quartz options.
That’s why some homeowners swear quartz was pricier for them, while others say their dream granite was the budget-breaker.
Granite Countertop Cost vs Quartz: What Really Drives Price
Key cost factors for granite countertops
- Color rarity and pattern (“movement”)
- Simple, speckled stones in neutral colors = more affordable granite countertop options
- Bold, sweeping veins and rare colors = premium granite stone with a higher price tag
- Slab thickness and size
- Standard 2–3 cm slabs are cost-effective
- Extra-thick edges or jumbo islands use more material and add fabrication cost
- Fabrication details
- Straight runs with basic eased edges are cheaper
- Fancy edge profiles, curves, and multiple sink/cooktop cut-outs increase labor
- Where to buy granite countertops
- Local fabricators and showrooms
- Wholesale granite suppliers where you can hand-pick slabs
- Big-box stores with simplified, pre-priced packages
All of these influence whether your final granite countertop cost ends up below, equal to, or above a similar quartz quote.
What drives quartz pricing?
Quartz pricing is dominated by:
- Brand (big-name brands often cost more)
- Pattern (especially realistic marble-look designs)
- Thickness and edge choices
- Market demand for certain colors
Because quartz is manufactured, its entry-level pricing is often a bit higher, but its top-end pricing is usually more “capped” than the wild extremes you sometimes see with exotic granite.
Maintenance and Lifetime Value: Clean Granite Countertops vs Low-Maintenance Quartz
Initial price is just the starting point. Long-term value matters too.
Maintenance of granite countertops
To keep clean granite countertops looking their best:
- Use mild dish soap or stone-safe cleaner for daily wiping
- Avoid harsh acids and abrasive powders
- Plan to seal granite every 1–3 years (fast DIY job or a simple add-on from your stone pro)
When issues pop up:
- Removing stains from granite (wine, coffee, oil) is usually possible with the right methods
- Repairing chips in granite along edges can be done with clear or color-matched epoxy
- Polishing granite surfaces can restore shine if they become hazy or lightly etched
Because granite is a natural, solid stone, you can often refinish and restore it instead of replacing it altogether.
Maintenance of quartz countertops
Quartz benefits:
- Non-porous surface—no sealing ever
- Great everyday stain resistance
- Simple cleaning with mild soap and water
The trade-off:
- Resins can be damaged by direct high heat, so hot pots and pans must go on trivets or pads
- Deep burns or heavy damage can be harder to repair discretely
If “maintenance-free” is your top priority, quartz may justify a slightly higher price. If you’re comfortable with light maintenance and like the idea of refinishing, granite remains very cost-effective over the long term.
Natural Stone Countertop Comparison: Granite vs Quartz, Marble, Soapstone & Concrete
Granite vs quartz countertops: performance snapshot
- Granite
- Natural beauty; every slab unique
- Needs sealing; can be repaired and repolished
- Excellent heat resistance; great for serious cooks
- Quartz
- Engineered consistency; controlled patterns
- No sealing; easy cleaning
- Less tolerant of high heat
So even if quartz is slightly more expensive, granite may still be the better “performance per dollar” choice in a busy kitchen.
Granite vs marble: pros and cons
- Marble – Softer, more prone to scratching and etching from acids. Stunning, but high-maintenance.
- Granite – Harder, more forgiving, and less likely to show every little mishap.
Granite vs soapstone durability
- Soapstone – Non-porous and very stain-resistant, but scratches and dents more easily, and is often oiled to even out its appearance.
- Granite – More scratch-resistant and better at holding a polished finish under everyday wear.
Granite better than concrete countertops?
- Concrete – Highly porous, can crack, and depends heavily on sealers and reinforcement.
- Granite – Naturally dense and strong, with simpler care and often comparable or lower total installed cost.
In most natural stone countertop comparison scenarios, granite sits in the sweet spot between luxury and practicality.
Style and Design: White Granite Countertop, Black Granite Countertops & More
Even when quartz pricing is close, many homeowners still choose granite for the aesthetics alone.
Why designers still love granite stone
- A white granite countertop can brighten a space and pair beautifully with modern, coastal, or Scandinavian designs.
- Black granite countertops bring depth and drama, especially when contrasted with white or pale cabinets.
Designers also play with:
- Granite backsplash designs – full-height slabs that showcase movement, or more budget-friendly tile plus granite accents
- Pairing granite with cabinet colors – for example:
- Warm cream granite with natural oak
- Cool white granite with grey or navy cabinets
- Dark, moody granite with minimalist white cabinets for a modern look
Quartz can mimic many of these looks, but granite’s natural depth and variation are still hard to beat.
Aardwolf Granite: Premium Stone, Clarity on Cost
If you’re leaning toward granite—whether because it’s more affordable than your quartz options or because you simply like natural stone better—the Aardwolf granite ecosystem makes decisions easier.
Aardwolf granite countertop collection
The Aardwolf granite countertop collection offers:
- Curated Aardwolf premium granite slabs chosen for strength, consistent quality, and beautiful patterning
- A wide range of tones and textures, including many of the best Aardwolf granite colors to match popular cabinet and flooring trends
Aardwolf granite installation services & pricing guide
With Aardwolf granite installation services, you get:
- Professional templating and careful measurements
- Expert cutting, edging, seam placement, and structural support
- Correct initial sealing so your granite performs well from day one
The Aardwolf granite pricing guide helps you:
- Understand how specific stones sit on the price spectrum
- Compare granite options against quartz quotes in a clear way
- Balance budget, durability, and aesthetics for your actual kitchen—not just averages
This kind of structured information makes it much easier to answer your own question: “Is quartz or granite more expensive for my project?”
Final Verdict: Is Quartz or Granite More Expensive?
In theory:
- Quartz is often slightly more expensive than mid-range granite, especially for popular engineered designs.
- Granite can be more expensive than quartz when you choose rare colors, strong veining, or complex fabrication.
In practice:
- Prices overlap heavily.
- Your actual quote depends on stone choice, brand, layout, edge details, and installer.
If you value:
- Non-porous, no-seal surfaces
- Very consistent color and pattern
…you might happily pay a bit more for quartz in your market.
If you prefer:
- The natural beauty and uniqueness of granite stone
- Excellent heat resistance
- The ability to clean, repair, repolish, and reseal for decades