Comparing Countertops: Solid Surface vs. Quartz vs. Granite

Solid Surface

We know it and love it at Durasein—because it’s our specialty! At a glance, here are the basics you should know about solid surface as a material:

• Composition: Solid surface is typically made with 33% synthetic material and 66% natural components like minerals.

• Customization: These countertops can come in practically any color known to the human eye (and some known only to bees). They can also replicate the look of marble and other natural stone.

• Affordability: Solid surface countertops are one of the most cost-effective ways to remodel your kitchen or bathroom because pricing is so competitive.

Quartz

As the name implies, quartz countertops are made of crushed-up quartz crystals and other minerals, all mixed with resins in natural or custom colors. Here are a few other things you should know as an introduction to quartz:

• Composition: In most cases, quartz countertops are roughly 10% synthetic material like resins and pigments and 90% engineered natural stone.

• Customization: Quartz is known for being an easy way to replicate the look of granite, marble, or other types of stone that occur in nature.

• Affordability: Despite its reputation as a premium countertop option, quartz is in the middle of the pack between these three countertop materials.

Granite

Slab granite comes mined directly from the earth and has the most natural look of the three types. Here are a few points you should know about this luxurious option:

• Composition: Granite is all natural—while it needs to be honed and polished to serve as a countertop, it doesn’t have any synthetic materials added to it.
• Customization: While it depends on the mineral composition of the rock being quarried, granite comes in all types of natural shades, from white to black and even red or green.

Solid Surface Countertops vs. Quartz

Both quartz and solid surface countertops are known for being highly durable in their own right. Neither option needs to be sealed and they’re both nonporous. 

The biggest difference between the two is that while solid surface can scratch, some types of quartz countertops can be scorched. 

Solid Surface vs. Granite

You’d be forgiven for thinking granite is the toughest type of countertop you can find—after all, mountains are made of it. However, if rock slides aren’t enough of an indicator on their own, granite is prone to cracking and breaking.

For some people with granite countertops, these cracks can be expensive to fill. Not to mention, there’s no way to completely fix cracked granite.

By contrast, solid surface countertops are less prone to cracking. While they can be scratched, these scratches can be sanded out fairly easily with standard sandpaper. Furthermore, you can also avoid scratching your countertops by not using them as a giant cutting board when you’re preparing food.

Countertop Seams

Because of how it’s created and installed, solid surface material is famous for having a smooth, seamless appearance. Countertops made of solid surface also have seams, but they’re far less visible than other materials.

On the other hand, quartz and granite are known for having visible seams due to the nature of what it takes to install them in your space. 

Touch Factor

Quartz and granite are famous for their smooth, glossy surfaces. Once they’re honed and polished, even touching them can give you a sense of luxury since you’re touching real crystals and stones.

By contrast, solid surface has a soft, matte-like texture to accompany its uniform appearance.

Overall Aesthetics

This factor is pretty subjective and often boils down to personal taste. 

Solid surface has uniform patterns, making it ideal for either simple solid colors like Bliss Blue or Arctic White. However, it can also replicate the look of natural stone fairly easily, without having to pay natural stone prices.

However, quartz is a lustrous material with a 3D appearance that can imitate all types of stones. Even more, granite is the gold standard for many people because it has so many natural crystals from its volcanic origins.

Solid Surface: Easy to Install & Maintain

If you’re looking for a no-fuss way to make your bathroom, kitchen, or other countertop space more beautiful, it doesn’t get better than solid surface. These countertops are easy to maintain, don’t need to be sealed, and can take just about any beating you can dish out.

They’re also far easier to install because they’re usually a few hundred pounds lighter than quartz or granite. If you want your countertops to look and feel beautiful without making your fabricator and installer resent you for the delicate operation they’d have to do, solid surface is the way to go.

Quartz: Variety with Vulnerability

Although it’s beautiful to look at and overall a hard material to have as a countertop, quartz isn’t invincible. This is especially true if you put a hot pan from your stove directly onto the countertop.

As mentioned, quartz can be scorched with enough heat exposure. Although there are products to help clean up burn marks, they often require the work of a professional to be restored to their former perfection.

As a countertop, quartz can also be expensive to install because it’s heavy and hard to work with. Most quartz slabs weigh hundreds if not thousands of pounds, are hard to drill into, and are breakable. Needless to say, you’ll need to make sure you hire a professional and be prepared to pay out—if you’re not already paying out for new cabinets that can hold their weight.

Granite: The Price of Beauty

There’s a reason why granite countertops are considered one of the top luxuries in home design—they’re beautiful, but they’re both expensive to install and maintain.

Granite is the heavyweight champion of the countertop world, making it even harder to install than quartz. Because of this, you’ll need to hire a professional who can reinforce your cabinets before installing your new countertops.

Without a doubt, granite has an unmistakable natural beauty to it that’s hard to fully replicate. However, much like a stereotypical Hollywood diva, granite countertops are somewhat high-maintenance. They require sealing every few years, especially if your countertops are lighter in color.

Otherwise, your white granite countertops could easily turn dingy.

Granite vs. Solid Surface Bathroom Countertops

Granite countertops are great for adding luxury to your bathroom space, especially if that bathroom gets frequent use. However, it’s just as fussy in the bathroom as it is in the kitchen and will require some maintenance because it’s porous.

However, solid surface countertop material is a popular choice because it’s easy to clean and maintain while still having an air of quality and luxury.

Quartz vs. Granite vs. Solid Surface Kitchen Countertops

Function and form both play roles if you’re trying to choose a material for your kitchen. Your kitchen needs a countertop material that can withstand the wear and tear of meal prep three times a day, potentially for life.

If you need a material that can withstand heavy-duty kitchen usage with straightforward maintenance, solid surface may be your best bet.

By contrast, if you’re looking for a more unique option and don’t mind working around materials that are a bit more delicate, quartz and granite are good choices. However, solid surface will almost always be the better option for your wallet.