Quartz vs Granite Countertops: Bay Area Kitchen Guide

Choosing the Right Countertop for Your Bay Area Kitchen

Countertops define the look, feel, and function of your kitchen. They are the surface you touch most, the backdrop for every meal, and one of the first things buyers notice. For Bay Area homeowners planning a kitchen remodel, the decision usually comes down to two materials: quartz and granite.

Both are premium choices. Both add resale value. But they differ in composition, maintenance, heat tolerance, and aesthetics. This guide breaks down every factor so you can choose with confidence.

Quartz vs Granite: Side-by-Side Comparison

Factor	Quartz	Granite
Cost (installed/sqft)	$50-$200	$40-$225
Durability	Extremely durable; resists chips and cracks	Very durable; can chip at edges if struck hard
Maintenance	No sealing required; wipe with soap and water	Requires sealing every 1-2 years
Heat Resistance	Low (up to 185F); always use trivets	High (up to 1,200F); hot pans are safe
Stain Resistance	Non-porous; highly stain-resistant	Porous; can stain without proper sealing
Appearance	Consistent patterns; wide color range	Unique natural veining; no two slabs match
Resale Value	Trending higher in 2026; modern appeal	Strong and timeless; appeals to traditional buyers

What Is Quartz?

Quartz countertops are engineered stone. Manufacturers combine roughly 90-94% ground natural quartz crystals with 6-10% polymer resins and pigments. The result is a dense, non-porous slab with consistent color and pattern throughout.

Because quartz is manufactured, you get precise control over appearance. Want a clean white surface with subtle veining that mimics Calacatta marble? Quartz can do that. Want a solid charcoal with no variation? That too. The consistency makes it easier to match slabs across a large kitchen island and surrounding counters.

Quartz Pros

• Zero maintenance. No sealing, no special cleaners. Soap and water handle everything.
• Stain-resistant. Wine, coffee, tomato sauce, and oil wipe right off the non-porous surface.
• Bacteria-resistant. The non-porous surface does not harbor bacteria, making it an excellent choice for families.
• Consistent appearance. Every slab matches your sample, so there are no surprises at installation.
• Wide design range. Available in colors and patterns that natural stone cannot replicate, including solid colors and marble lookalikes.

Quartz Cons

• Low heat tolerance. Resin binders scorch above 185F. You must always use trivets or hot pads.
• Not fully natural. If a completely natural, organic material matters to you, quartz will not satisfy that preference.
• UV sensitivity. Prolonged direct sunlight can cause discoloration over time, making quartz less ideal for outdoor kitchens.
• Visible seams. On large surfaces, seams in solid-color quartz can be more noticeable than in patterned granite.

What Is Granite?

Granite is natural igneous rock, formed deep underground over millions of years. Quarried in large blocks and cut into slabs, each piece of granite has its own unique pattern of minerals, veining, and flecks. No two slabs are identical.

This natural variation is granite’s greatest strength and its biggest challenge. You get a surface that is genuinely one-of-a-kind, but you also need to hand-select your slabs at the stone yard to make sure you love the specific piece going into your kitchen.

Granite Pros

• Heat-resistant. Granite handles temperatures up to 1,200F. You can set a hot pan directly on the surface without damage.
• Completely natural. If you value organic materials and authentic stone character, granite delivers.
• Unique appearance. Every slab has its own character. Your countertop will be unlike any other.
• Proven track record. Granite has been a premium countertop material for decades, and buyers recognize it instantly.
• UV-resistant. Granite does not fade in sunlight, making it suitable for outdoor kitchens and sunny Bay Area homes.

Granite Cons

• Requires sealing. You need to seal granite every 1-2 years to prevent staining. Without sealing, the porous surface absorbs liquids.
• Stain risk. Even with sealing, acidic substances like lemon juice and vinegar can etch the surface if left too long.
• Can chip. Hard impacts on edges or corners can cause chips that need professional repair.
• Inconsistent slabs. The sample you see at the showroom may not match the slab you receive. Always view the actual slab before purchasing.

Cost Breakdown for Bay Area Kitchens

Bay Area countertop costs run higher than national averages due to elevated labor rates and material transport costs. Here is what to expect in 2026.

Quartz Pricing

• Entry-level quartz: $50-$80/sqft installed. Basic solid colors and simple patterns from mid-tier brands.
• Mid-range quartz: $80-$140/sqft installed. Popular brands like Caesarstone, Silestone, and Cambria with marble-inspired veining.
• Premium quartz: $140-$200/sqft installed. High-end designs, thick profiles, and specialty finishes.

Granite Pricing

• Entry-level granite: $40-$70/sqft installed. Common colors like Uba Tuba, Santa Cecilia, and New Venetian Gold.
• Mid-range granite: $70-$140/sqft installed. Distinctive colors with interesting veining and movement.
• Premium granite: $140-$225/sqft installed. Rare colors, exotic origins, and bookmatched slabs.

Total Cost for a Typical Bay Area Kitchen

A typical Bay Area kitchen has 40-60 square feet of countertop surface. Based on that range:

Material Tier	40 sqft Kitchen	60 sqft Kitchen
Entry-level quartz	$2,000-$3,200	$3,000-$4,800
Mid-range quartz	$3,200-$5,600	$4,800-$8,400
Premium quartz	$5,600-$8,000	$8,400-$12,000
Entry-level granite	$1,600-$2,800	$2,400-$4,200
Mid-range granite	$2,800-$5,600	$4,200-$8,400
Premium granite	$5,600-$9,000	$8,400-$13,500

These figures include material, fabrication, and installation. Edge profiles, sink cutouts, and backsplash additions are typically included in the per-square-foot price but can vary by fabricator.

Durability and Daily Use

Scratch Resistance

Quartz scores a 7 on the Mohs hardness scale, making it highly scratch-resistant for kitchen use. You can chop vegetables directly on quartz without leaving marks, although using a cutting board is still recommended to protect your knives.

Granite also scores 6-7 on the Mohs scale, depending on its mineral composition. Both materials resist scratches well in normal kitchen use.

Impact Resistance

Quartz’s resin binders give it slight flexibility, making it less prone to cracking from impact than granite. Granite, being a rigid natural stone, can chip at edges and corners if struck with a heavy object. Chips in granite can be repaired, but the repair is sometimes visible.

Longevity

Both materials last 25 years or more with proper care. Quartz requires almost no maintenance to maintain its appearance. Granite needs regular sealing but otherwise ages gracefully. In the Bay Area, where kitchen remodels happen every 15-25 years on average, both materials will likely outlast the design style that surrounds them.

Maintenance Compared

This is where quartz pulls ahead for busy Bay Area households.

Quartz daily care: Wipe with a damp cloth and mild soap. That is it. No special cleaners, no periodic treatments, no worry about staining from spills left overnight.

Granite daily care: Wipe with a damp cloth and stone-safe cleaner (avoid vinegar, lemon, or acidic cleaners). Blot spills promptly rather than wiping to prevent spreading into the pores. Seal the entire surface every 1-2 years using a penetrating stone sealer.

For families with young children, frequent entertainers, or anyone who simply does not want to think about countertop maintenance, quartz is the lower-effort choice.

Resale Value in the Bay Area

Both quartz and granite countertops signal a quality kitchen to Bay Area buyers. However, market preferences have shifted in recent years.

Quartz is trending higher in 2026. Real estate professionals report that buyers, particularly in the $1.5M-$4M range common across Santa Clara and San Mateo counties, increasingly prefer quartz for its modern aesthetics and zero-maintenance reputation. Neutral quartz tones with subtle veining pair well with the clean, contemporary kitchens that dominate Bay Area design trends.

Granite remains strong in traditional and luxury markets. In communities like Los Gatos, Saratoga, and parts of Palo Alto where traditional architecture is common, granite’s natural beauty and timeless appeal still resonate. Exotic granite slabs can serve as the centerpiece of a high-end kitchen.

Neither material will hurt your resale value. Both are considered premium upgrades that buyers expect in Bay Area homes.

Which Should You Choose?

Choose Quartz If:

• Low maintenance is a top priority
• You want consistent color and pattern across all surfaces
• You prefer modern, clean kitchen aesthetics
• You have young children and want a bacteria-resistant surface
• You rarely place hot pans directly on the counter

Choose Granite If:

• You want a completely natural, unique stone surface
• You frequently cook with high heat and move pots directly to the counter
• You prefer traditional or transitional kitchen design
• You enjoy the character of natural stone with its variations
• Your kitchen gets significant direct sunlight

Consider Both Together

Some Bay Area homeowners use both materials in a single kitchen. Granite on the perimeter counters (where hot pans land near the stove) and quartz on the island (where kids do homework and food prep happens). This approach gives you the heat resistance of granite where you need it and the low maintenance of quartz where it matters most.

How Custom Home Helps You Decide

Choosing between quartz and granite is just one of hundreds of material decisions in a kitchen remodel. At Custom Home Design and Build, we guide you through every selection during our Phase 1 design process, so you see exactly how your choices affect the total budget before construction begins.

Our design team will help you:

• Compare actual slab samples in the context of your cabinetry, flooring, and lighting
• Understand the full cost impact of your countertop choice on the overall project
• Visit local stone yards to hand-select granite slabs or review quartz samples from top manufacturers
• Plan edge profiles, backsplash integration, and sink cutout details that affect both aesthetics and cost

You will never be surprised by the final number. Our locked-in pricing means the countertop cost you approve in design is the cost you pay at installation.

Ready to Start Your Kitchen Remodel?

Whether you choose quartz, granite, or a combination of both, the right countertop transforms your kitchen from functional to exceptional. Contact Custom Home Design and Build to schedule a consultation and start planning your Bay Area kitchen remodel today.