Choosing stone
Granite vs. quartz: which is better for your Hartford kitchen?
It’s the question we hear most in the showroom: granite or quartz? Both make superb kitchen countertops, and both are in our Hartford yard — but they win in different ways. Here’s the honest comparison.
Durability & maintenance
Quartz: the low-maintenance option
Quartz is engineered and non-porous — it doesn’t absorb liquids, so a spilled glass of wine is a wipe, not an emergency. It never needs sealing. The trade-off: it doesn’t love direct high heat, so keep a trivet handy.
Granite: the natural choice
Granite is 100% natural rock, extremely hard, and shrugs off hot pans. Because it’s naturally porous, it needs resealing every year or two to stay stain-resistant — a ten-minute job, but a real one. We seal every granite top before it’s installed.
Cost in Connecticut
As a general range, granite runs about $60–$100 per square foot installed and quartz about $70–$120, depending on the stone or brand and the complexity of the job. Exotic granites can exceed premium quartz; entry granite is usually the most affordable way into real stone.
The look
Quartz gives you consistency — the slab matches the sample, which designers love in big, modern kitchens. Granite gives you a one-of-a-kind pattern that no neighbor will ever duplicate. Neither is wrong; they’re different kinds of beautiful.
So which is better?
If you want zero maintenance and an exact color, choose quartz. If you want natural, unrepeatable stone and the best heat resistance, choose granite. The fastest way to decide is to stand in front of both: our slabs are outside in daylight at 97 Airport Road, and estimates are free.