Big, beautiful kitchen! If you read the wish list people shopping for a new home, you’ll find this phrase. Okay, may not this exact wording but the kitchen is a major focal point for most homebuyers.
A chic kitchen updated with the latest in appliances and fixtures attracts more shopper than those with outdated flooring and peeling Formica countertops.
About those countertops. You’ve likely heard upgraded countertops boost the value of a home. They can if they’re made from the right material.
If you’re considering quartz vs. granite countertops, you may not be sure which adds the most value.
Read our guide to these two popular countertops so that you’re better prepared when you’re ready to sell your home.
A Short History of Quartz in the Kitchen
Quartz in kitchens isn’t an American phenomenon. Kitchen lovers in Italy and throughout Europe made quartz countertops a thing back in the early 1960s.
As popular as quartz was in Europe, laminate was the predominate countertop material in American kitchens. Like many trends that originate abroad, quartz took a little longer to catch fire here. American consumers finally embraced the beauty and value of quartz in the1990s.
Quartz is still booming in popularity. Just a few years ago, 40% of urban homes in the United States had quartz countertops.
What’s it Made Of?
You might remember studying quartz in science class, especially if you loved geology. To see it quartz in its natural state, click here.
Beautiful, isn’t it? But you won’t see a single quartz crystal in your quartz countertops.
Quartz countertops include quartz but not solid quartz. They’re man-made with a combination of quartz, resins, polymers, and different pigments. What you end up with is a beautiful and durable artificial rock.
Engineered stone is a more accurate description. You can buy quartz countertops that resemble natural limestone, marble, or granite—all popular countertop materials.
The Popularity of Granite Countertops
As you can see, the words stone and natural are often bandied about in discussions on flooring and countertops in the kitchen.
If you’ve ever walked on a stone floor or run your hand over a stone countertop, you know what luxury feels like. People love the look and the feel of stone, especially granite.
If you don’t believe it, watch a few episodes of HGTV’s reality show, House Hunters. There aren’t many episodes without at least one person who turns their nose up if a kitchen doesn’t have granite countertops.
The history of granite and kitchens goes way back to the late 1980s. Graphic designer, Deborah Sussman, used them in her home, where they received a ho-hum review from a New York Times writer. That was in 1986 but by the following year, a writer from the L.A. Times touted granite as a revolutionary countertop material.
Like quartz, granite is popular today and found in homes all over the country, from the trendiest lofts, the sprawling kitchens of coastal homes, and even kitchens in tiny homes.
We know homeowners give a whole lot of love to both quartz and granite, let’s figure out if home shoppers feel the same.
Quartz Countertops and Home Value
If you choose either material for your kitchen you’ve done so for one of two reasons. Either you’re head over heels in love, or you hope your choice adds value when you sell your home.
People love quartz because it resists the impact of hot pans, knives, scrubbing pads, and stains from your homemade spaghetti sauce. Quartz also demands less upkeep. The durability and maintenance factors alone should add value.
Makes sense but how much value will you add?
The per square foot cost for quartz countertops averages between $50 and $ 100. Installation ranges from $150 to $280 per square foot. That’s for installing a quartz slab—If you want special finishes or need extra cutouts, the cost goes up.
If you choose quartz, your heart rate might increase because you’re in love but you should also see an increase of 3-7% home value.
And Granite Countertops?
When you fall for granite, you can choose between slab or tile countertops. Slabs average between $40 and $60 per square foot. Tiles average between $5 and $15.
Like quartz, granite can take the heat. Granite is also scratch resistant, won’t dent, and doesn’t mind cleaning chemicals. What granite offers more of than quartz is variety in colors and patterns.
If you stick with white granite, you can stay in the $40-$60 price range. Choose the most exotic color, which is blue, and you’ll pay on average $70-$100 per square foot. Granite installation runs between $2,000 and $4,000.
Granite is a must have on many buyers’ lists and it certainly makes your kitchen more appealing than one with outdated countertops.
Talk to any group of realtors and ask about quartz vs. granite countertops. You’ll find several who side with granite. Installing granite may attract a buyer quicker and get you closer to your asking price.
Who Wins the Argument Between Quartz vs.Granite Countertops?
As with any argument, there are multiple sides and multiple answers. That’s our diplomatic way of saying both countertop materials can add value to your home.
When determining ROI for kitchen remodeling you must take several things under consideration.
Do the other homes in your area have granite countertops? If they do and you don’t, you risk having to underprice your home. In this case, granite makes sense.
If other homes sold in your area have quartz countertops and sold at or under your home’s value, granite doesn’t make sense. In this case, quartz adds the most value.
Buyers will pay extra for upgrades but not if they can purchase a home similar to yours for a lower price without them.
When you’re calculating the added value for countertop upgrades, consider this general rule: avoid spending more than 5-7% of your home’s current value for renovation projects.
Ready for New Countertops?
Now that you know a little more about upgrading your kitchen countertops before listing your home, what did you decide?
When choosing between quartz vs. granite countertops, both can add value to your home. Either material makes a stunning addition to your home decor.
So, you’ve read about it, but the choice is better made in person. We invite you to visit one of our showrooms and let us help you make your final decision.
