Quartz vs. Granite Countertops: A Florida Homeowner's Guide

Quartz vs. Granite: Which Should You Choose?

Countertops are one of the biggest decisions in a kitchen or bathroom renovation. Quartz and granite are the two most popular premium options — but they’re very different materials. Here’s how they compare for South Florida homes.

At a Glance

Feature	Quartz	Granite
Material	Engineered (93% stone + resin)	Natural stone slab
Maintenance	None — never needs sealing	Annual sealing required
Stain resistance	Excellent — non-porous	Good when sealed, can stain if neglected
Heat resistance	Moderate — can discolor from hot pans	Excellent — handles heat well
Appearance	Consistent, uniform patterns	Unique — every slab is different
Cost (installed)	$50 – $120/sq ft	$45 – $100/sq ft
Durability	Very hard, chip-resistant	Very hard, can chip at edges

Why Quartz Works Well in Florida

South Florida’s humidity is a factor most homeowners don’t consider:

• Non-porous surface — quartz doesn’t absorb moisture, making it naturally resistant to mold and mildew growth in our humid climate
• Zero maintenance — no annual sealing means one less thing to worry about
• Consistent appearance — if you need multiple slabs for a large kitchen, they’ll match perfectly

Why Granite Still Has Its Place

• Heat resistance — if you regularly set hot pots and pans down, granite handles it better
• One-of-a-kind look — each slab has unique veining and movement that can’t be replicated
• Outdoor kitchens — granite handles UV exposure better than quartz, which can discolor in direct sunlight (relevant for Fort Lauderdale’s outdoor living spaces)

Cost Comparison for a Typical Kitchen

For a 40 sq ft countertop area (average kitchen):

• Mid-range quartz: $2,800 – $4,000 installed
• Mid-range granite: $2,400 – $3,600 installed
• Premium quartz (Calacatta look): $4,000 – $5,500 installed
• Premium granite (exotic slab): $3,500 – $5,000 installed

Our Recommendation

For most Fort Lauderdale kitchens, quartz is the better choice — the zero-maintenance factor alone is worth it in our climate. Choose granite if you have an outdoor kitchen, want a truly unique natural look, or regularly cook with high heat.

Either way, we’ll help you select the perfect slab. Schedule a free consultation and we’ll bring samples to your home.