The Work
Quartz is engineered: about 90% ground quartz bound with resin and pigment. Granite is natural stone, quarried as slabs, and every slab is different.
Quartz never needs sealing and does not etch from lemon or wine. The pattern is consistent from slab to slab. It is not heat-proof: hot pans go on a trivet. Most quartz is not made for sun, so it stays indoors; Cambria and Silestone exclude outdoor use. Jobs: Cambria Bentley in Naperville, Caesarstone Airy Concrete in Burr Ridge, MSI Calacatta Cinela in Naperville.
Granite takes hot pans, does not etch, and holds its color in the sun, so it works outdoors. It is sealed at install; when a drop of water darkens it, it is time to reseal. Jobs: leathered Black Pearl in Park Ridge, leathered Negresco in St. Charles, Titanium Black in Chicago.
| Quartz | Granite | |
|---|---|---|
| Made of | About 90% ground quartz, with resin and pigment. | Natural stone, quarried. |
| Heat | Not heat-proof. Use a trivet. | Takes hot pans. |
| Sealing | Never. | At install; reseal when water darkens it. |
| Etching | Does not etch from lemon or wine. | Does not etch. |
| Outdoors | Most quartz is not made for sun. | Yes. |
| The look | Consistent from slab to slab. | Every slab is different. |
| Installed | Naperville, Burr Ridge, Lake Forest, Chicago, New Berlin, New Buffalo. | Park Ridge, St. Charles, Glencoe, Chicago, Western Springs, New Berlin. |
