Quartz is slightly different than granite in that it is not 100 percent natural.   Instead, countertops are manufactured using 95 percent ground natural quartz and 5 percent polymer resins.

One of the main reasons quartz has exploded in popularity is due to appearance.   Quartz has the look of stone while also allowing homeowners to customize the design.   While granite offers many options in terms of appearance, you may have to search for the right piece that matches your color scheme. With quartz, the selection process is much easier.

Depending on the quality of quartz and style of edging,   HomeAdvisor.com places the average cost to install quartz countertops between $1,500 and $5,500.   You can do some of the preliminary work to save money, but because engineered quartz is heavier than other stone surfaces, a professional installer needs to make sure the space is structurally sound.

Like granite, you’ll want to clean any spills on quartz countertops with soap and water or a household cleaner, but that’s about it in terms of maintenance.   The solid surface means that there is no need to have your countertops resealed.

Quartz is actually harder than granite and thus, more durable.   In fact, quartz is nearly indestructible, and because it isn’t porous like granite, it’s easy to keep your countertops relatively bacteria-free.   Be careful with cooking pans though: Quartz can be damaged by excessive heat, so use heating pads at all times.