Quartz vs Granite vs Quartzite: The Calgary Homeowner's Guide
Every week we get the same question. Here's the honest answer, without trying to upsell you on the most expensive material. The right stone depends on how you cook, how much maintenance you'll actually do, and what you want your kitchen to look like.
Side by Side
The Key Differences
| Feature | Quartz | Granite | Quartzite |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Engineered stone | Natural stone | Natural stone |
| Needs sealing | Never | Once a year | Once a year |
| Heat resistant | No, use a trivet | Yes | Yes |
| UV stable (outdoor) | No, fades in sun | Yes | Yes |
| Pattern consistency | Very consistent | Every slab is unique | Every slab is unique |
| Hardness (Mohs) | 6 to 7 | 6 to 7 | 7 to 8 |
| Typical installed price (Calgary) | $70 to $150/sq ft | $60 to $140/sq ft | $90 to $200/sq ft |
| Appearance options | Very wide range | Wide range | More limited, dramatic |
| Repairability | Difficult | Minor chips fillable | Minor chips fillable |
Choose Quartz If...
Quartz: the Low-Maintenance Choice
- ✓You want zero annual maintenance. No sealing, ever.
- ✓Your household is hard on surfaces, kids, pets, high cooking frequency.
- ✓You want a consistent, predictable pattern. No surprises.
- ✓You want white or grey with veining and don't want natural stone maintenance.
- ✗You put hot pans directly on the counter. Quartz will scorch.
- ✗You're building an outdoor kitchen. Quartz fades and cracks outdoors.
- ✗You want one-of-a-kind stone. Quartz patterns repeat.
Best quartz brands we carry: Silestone, Caesarstone, Cambria and MSI Q Premium. See our quartz countertops Calgary page.
Choose Granite If...
Granite: Natural Stone at a Proven Price
- ✓You want 100% natural stone with unique character.
- ✓You set hot pans on the counter regularly. Granite handles it.
- ✓You want the widest possible range of colours and patterns.
- ✓You're comfortable sealing it once a year (10 minutes, spray-on).
- ✗You want very dramatic white-and-grey veining. That's quartzite territory.
- ✗You want zero maintenance whatsoever. Sealing is real.
Granite is the material we've worked with longest. We know how to select it, match it and install it perfectly. See our granite countertops Calgary page.
Choose Quartzite If...
Quartzite: Natural Stone with Dramatic Movement
- ✓You want the marble look, sweeping veining, dramatic movement, but with more durability.
- ✓You set hot pans on the counter. Quartzite handles it; quartz does not.
- ✓You're building an outdoor kitchen. Quartzite is UV stable and frost-safe.
- ✓You want the hardest natural stone available for countertops.
- ✗You want zero sealing maintenance. Quartzite needs annual sealing like granite.
- ✗Budget is very tight. Quartzite is the most expensive of the three on average.
See our quartzite countertops Calgary page for the full guide to varieties and pricing.
Still Not Sure? Let's Talk It Through.
Tell us about your kitchen and how you cook. We'll tell you which stone makes sense, honestly.
FAQ
Common Questions About These Three Stones
Which is better, quartz, granite or quartzite?
None is universally better. Quartz is best for low-maintenance households. Granite is best for those who want 100% natural stone at a proven price point. Quartzite is best for natural stone with dramatic veining and higher hardness. The right choice depends on your cooking habits, maintenance tolerance and aesthetic preference.
Does quartz need to be sealed?
No. Quartz is engineered and non-porous. It never needs sealing. Granite and quartzite are natural stone and need an annual penetrating sealer, a straightforward 10-minute routine.
Can you put a hot pan on quartz or quartzite?
Quartzite and granite handle direct heat. They're natural rock. Quartz cannot: the resin binders can discolour or crack above about 150°C. No matter what your surface is, using a trivet is the better long-term habit.
Which is the most durable for everyday use?
For scratch resistance, quartzite edges both granite and quartz on the Mohs scale. For stain resistance, quartz wins because it never needs sealing. For heat resistance, granite and quartzite beat quartz. Durability depends on what your kitchen asks of the surface. There's no single winner.