Quartz looks like what it is, a man made fake stone.

If you like that go for it.

Granite can chip,stain,and generally be quite dirty.

Granite,particarly product imported from China, can put out some elevated radon emissions.

If you like the look of a dirty $5 street walker then go for granite.

If you like understated and sophisticated then quartz is for you. Plus if you like the idea of having built-in Microban you can get Silestone.

Wow -- this may be the most emotional post about the granite/quartz divide that I have ever read. I can see that both have their positives and negatives, and some things come down to a matter of preference/opinion, once the homeowner is educated on both options.

However, I can honestly say I have never walked into a home with granite and thought, "Oh, you dirty $5 street walker, you are so unsophisticated!!" That's just a little extreme. And where can you find a "$5 street walker" in 2011 anyway?

Wow every time we look at our Granite counter top all I am going to see is a dirty $5 street walker who is unsophisticated . And we thought it was beautiful.

Granite is beautiful and quartz is beautiful. It depends on the kitchen cabinets, wall colors, flooring etc. The most beautiful kitchen has all the elements that complement each other. So give me granite and give me quartz!!! So many different choices make so many different people happy. Full disclosure I have granite but originally looked at quartz. I love them both!

"Granite can chip,stain,and generally be quite dirty."

As can ANY counter material.

"Granite,particarly product imported from China, can put out some elevated radon emissions."

Wrong.
It depends on the individual stone, not where it came from.

"If you like the look of a dirty $5 street walker then go for granite."

Give us a break.
All you have to do is wipe the counter, just like every other counter.

"If you like understated and sophisticated then quartz is for you. Plus if you like the idea of having built-in Microban you can get Silestone."

Only if "understated and sophisticated" means uniform man made powdered stone in resin.

There is no real proof of the long term efficacy of any anti-microbial in counter material (let alone the consequences of long term low level exposure to same).

Well, in my humble opinion, there is very nice granite and very nice quartz, and no reason to insult anyone because they prefer one over the other.

This degree of defensiveness/aggression over a counter material choice is mind-boggling.

I love some granites and some quartz's. I think it has to do with the color you are looking for. Some look better, in my opinion, in the natural stone. However, sometimes you want a more consistent stone that cannot be achieved though a granite.

I guess I never new that I like the look of a dirty $5 street walker.

My kitchen granite isn't even fully installed and now I need to be ashamed when the neighbors come over. Guess I'm a little trashy!

Gosh - seriously I wish we could give this topic a rest.
I don't see topics about "granite vs marble" or "laminate vs woodtop" or "quartz vs soapstone" any other "countertop y vs countertop z" ever producing such hurtful/hateful/ignorant comments.
All the counters have their pros/cons and we make our choices based on our individual tastes, desires, needs and often times budgets.
I have granite because I like the organicness (If there is such a word?) of it and it suits our house, our needs, and our neighbourhood (forested hills)
If I lived in a different neighbourhood or house I could see myself looking at different counters.
There are a couple I would never use - am I going to say which ones? - no because other people like them and for them those choices make sense.

deeageaux: Yes this is an open forum and people should feel comfortable to state their opinions but (IMHO) your comments about both granite and quartz were unwarranted, unsophisticated and unnecessarily cheap shots. You have done yourself and the people on this site a disservice.

"Granite can chip,stain,and generally be quite dirty.
Granite,particarly product imported from China,
can put out some elevated radon emissions.

If you like the look of a dirty $5 street walker then go for granite.

If you like understated and sophisticated then quartz is for you.
Plus if you like the idea of having built-in Microban you can get Silestone."

These are perhaps, the most outrageous, uninformed and...dare I say it, idiotic statements I've ever seen posted on this forum. I say this as
someone who is NOT putting granite in my new kitchen. Wait, are there
definitive statements you'd like to make about the soapstone so many
of us are drawn to, deeageaux?

Duh, let me guess...you've got engineered quartz on your counters?

Wow - all of these very strong feelings, nastiness and defensiveness about an inanimate object? I'm actually still in the process of deciding between granite and one of the man-made "stones." Thought I might get some useful info in this thread...but...not so much!!!!!

Well, I installed granite in my previous home in 2000 when I remodeled the kitchen and when I left that home on 5/22/10, I still loved the look of it. I'm planning to have it in the new kitchen as well as I really like the punch of it in a kitchen. I love all types of granite although I would only buy certain ones since I have very specific tastes. I don't really care what anyone else thinks of my selections,since it's my home and my kitchen.

I've seen examples of quartz on this site and they're stunning as well, however, I wouldn't choose that for my kitchen. Everyone has his or her individual tastes and it's THEIR choice as to what type of countertop they plan to install.

I'm hesitant to state this but we chose Corian for the guest bathroom, it's called Moondance. Now if granite is a dirty $5 street walker, I can only imagine what someone might say about this, however, it's my house and my guest bathroom so I don't really care.

Wow. I can't say that there's any countertop material that I have such strong feelings about.

I think the only material that bothers me is laminate that tries to look like granite. That seems a little silly to me. Oh, and teal green Corian might make me feel twitchy, but I'd never call it a dirty hooker. If they ever come up with technology that allows someone to create countertops with imbedded Thomas Kinkade images, that might drive me to make rude statements.

Some of the counter manufacturers have been doing everything they can to try and convince folks to purchase their products.

From radiation to bacterial contamination.

It has gotten a little ridiculous.

I have heard then even try the '[stone] is not used in commercial kitchens' claim.

Commercial kitchens cannot afford stone, and have no interest in trying toe get it approved.

Remember the wood cutting board fiasco form a few years back?
'Wood cutting boards are dangerous since they can hold bacteria.'

It turned out to be a fabrication, and that plastic cutting boards are actually worse.

It turned out when actually tested, the extractives in wood killed bacteria better, making then less likely to harbor things.
How did anyone survive the horrible conditions before all the 'new' materials came around?

Don't feed the troll.

I really want a five dollar hooker countertop, because it would be so cool. I'm gonna get asphalt counters, though, because I think that better embodies the idea of a five dollar hooker. Plus, I'm gonna trick out the counter edges with neon. And instead of a rollout recycling and trash base cabinet, I'm just going to buy a big 'ol dumpster. Plop that sucker right in the kitchen. Any other ideas on how to transform my kitchen into the "$5 Hooker" theme?
Suggestions are welcome.
;o)

Adrienne2011. You'd save a lot of money and get a more authentic $5 hooker vibe if you ditch the dumpster in favor of a big ol' junk pile outside the kitchen window. I suggest you spend the money you save on some glitter to mix in with the asphalt.

Adrienne: How about fishnet inserts in your cabinets, 8" stiletto heels for your cabinet feet with sequined pendant "globe" lights.

Wow! that's a bit extreme...how about we just pick marble (elegant and lovely) and call it a day? :)

This is the greatest thread yet - $5 hooker counters? I agree with the troll call!

Wow- I didn't realize the response this would get! The blog post is a bit partial, as are many blog posts. I hope you will continue to read the blog as it is very informative (and quite entertaining!)

Here is a link that might be useful: Kitchen Details and Design

STOP SPAMMING.

I was in General Mills not long ago and got to peek at the Betty Crocker test kitchen. Guess what? It was pimped out with those $5 hooker counters.

Betty Crocker, that tramp.

I turned to a friend of mine and said, "Is it freakish that I know the name of that granite?" :^D In the baking kitchen, there were long expanses of gleaming stainless steel and thick butcher block--Boos, to be exact. ;^) There were huge stainless steel shelving units with every kind of baking accoutrement you could ever want, and there were large slabs of marble with lots of patina. And those ginormous Hobart mixers...ooooh.

It was grand.

Hello there! For the record, I just found this post in my blog stats. I do NOT know Kitz in any way. Was insulting that someone thought she was spamming. And, thank you Kitz for liking my blog. And yes, fella who says is an 'opinion' of a designer. Indeed. That is how most blogs are structured. I have 15 years of experience, install and project manage our own jobs and have opinions based on my experience. I agree with above SANE individuals who say 'to each his own'. People hire me because they like what I create. Look for yourself. And, 80% of my jobs are quartz. They both have similar properties but I like quartz mostly for the looks over granite...in my area and in my aesthetic. WE use granite when the job is right for it.

Really just wanted to thank Kitz for liking my blog and defend her since some IDIOT ( yeah, I just said that) thought she was spamming. Good luck!

Here is a link that might be useful: Details and Design