Quartz is made basically the same way on the same machinery by everyone who makes it, so the decision is more about looks, price, and things like country of origin if that's important to you. The quartz crystals are bound in about 7% resin, which is polished down so that the quartz shows. The resin makes it pretty impervious. It's easy to care for, and if it's well installed seams generally disappear.

Granite is cut from natural stone, though resin is used in the cutting process and many slabs have a thin film of resin on the surface. This kind of glues loose bits in place, but isn't enough to make it impervious. Some more crumbly slabs are specifically "resined" which means that there's an actual tangible layer of resin holding the loose bits together, but that's different. Some people have said that resined granite is as impervious as quartz, but I don't know if that's true. Granite can be "honed" so that any remaining resin and the polished surface are removed so you have the look and feel of the natural stone. Most granites need sealing, though there are some that are particularly dense and stable which don't.

Kapeman,

Plllog did a great job explaining.

I just want to ask when you mean Man Made, do you mean a
quartz stone material? I want to confrim not Corian or
maybe Formica or Wilson art? These are other man made materials.

Have you gotten to look over granite, and slabs of quartz ?
That is always a good place to start to see them in person.

There is a great link to check out to understand the
different man made surface types. I know, I know it is
from dupont. But dupont makes Quartz and Corian. These are
two different surfaces so you can understand them as far
as man made surface.

Here is the Dupont link that can explain the different
types
http://www2.dupont.com/Surfaces/en_US/products/index.html

Corian or Hi-Mac will not have seams and it molded to fit
your counter area. But it can sometimes have a plastic or
shiny look to it.

Quartz will have more of a stone look. These also come in
slab size and will be cut to make a counter. This means
seams. They are said to be stain resistant.

Here is the Hi-Mac link ( a product similar to corian.
Corian was patented by Dupont but the patent ended so
now LG can sell it under the name Hi-Mac)
http://www.lghi-macs.com/surfaces.html

I had a Corian surface in my other home with itergrated
sinks. This was in my children's bathroom. It was easy
to clean. And the surface was a shiny bright black and
white trim. I would recommend it for a bathroom.

And here is a silestone link.
http://www.silestoneusa.com/index/index.cfm?CFID=25976114&CFTOKEN=72538719

My close friend bought Cesearstone counters at the same
time I was getting granite. She loves her counters and
I love mine. We each chose ours for the look. I wanted
a natural stone look she wanted a more polished look.
I can honestly say one is not easier than the other to
care for. In my case Granite was cheaper for me to install
than Quartz.

Years ago to drum up business the Quartz companies claimed
that THEIR product was superior because it does not stain,
have to be sealed or need extra care. I can tell you there
are granites in the exact same catagory as a quartz.
In some ways it was great that Quartz came along because
it brought down the prices of some common granites.

Visit a kitchen design store just to see the options.
Touch them, look up close and get a feel for what you
want in your kitchen. There are also concrete counters,
marble, recycled glass which are considered green
friendly, slate counters, tile and even butcher block
wood.

You'll discover what makes you happy and which you
are going to love.

~boxerpups

Honestly, I think a lot of it depends on the look you want. Quartz countertops are man-made and look very consistent. To my eye they don't look at all like granite, but that may be just what you are looking for. Personally I wanted a more variable, natural looking product so we went with granite.

FYI we have Verde Peacock granite which, so far as I can tell, is one of those bullet-proof granites. We've left all kinds of things on there overnight (not on purpose, lol) from tomato sauce, vinegar, water, tea, etc. Everything has come off easily with either a soapy cloth or a razor blade (for the stuck on things). It polishes up nicely with just a simple microfibre cloth.

So I think it's much more about which look you prefer and which will go with your kitchen design better. The maintenance issue is not nearly as much of an issue as some would like you to think.

I have had a Cambria Quartz counter for about 18 months now, and I'm very happy with it. I chose it because it was low-maintenance, and I like the appearance. We didn't care for the busier granites. I agree that some granites are equally low-maintenance. I also made the choice because I liked the idea of a US made product, whereas I wasn't so comfortable about working conditions in quarries somewhere in China or Brazil for some granites.

The different Quartz manufacturers produce material of equal quality. I chose Cambria because it is made in the USA. Hanstone is made in Korea; Caesarstone in Israel, Silestone (I think) in Spain.

We just ordered Lg Hi-Mac Camaroon for our kitchen. I liked that the surface if scratches happpen can easily be rubbed out. Its non porous so, it won't stain. I am getting mine polished instead of the standard matt finish. And I like the look and feel of the integrated sink. I am a person that likes to have more uniformity, and Granite is too "busy" for me. The Hi-Mac is also more budget friendly too.

Good luck with your search.
Paula

I have black galaxy and so far, with a lot of teens, it has been wonderful. No sealing and to me it is pretty consistant looking in reguards to uniformity for granite