By Bruno Venichand, J. Perry & Sons — Florida CGC1540699
On quartz vs quartzite vs granite, the short answer for a South Florida kitchen: quartz is the easiest to live with indoors, quartzite is the natural stone that handles heat, sun and hard use best, and granite is the durable natural option at a lower price. Installed, a typical 55–70 sq ft kitchen runs $7,750–$13,000 in quartz, $7,000–$12,500 in granite and $9,750–$16,000 in quartzite. J. Perry & Sons stone slab installation templates, fabricates and installs all three.
Quartz vs quartzite vs granite: cost and performance
| Factor | Quartz (engineered) | Quartzite (natural) | Granite (natural) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Installed, 55–70 sq ft kitchen | $7,750–$13,000 | $9,750–$16,000 | $7,000–$12,500 |
| What it is | Ground quartz bound with resin | Sandstone metamorphosed into very hard stone | Igneous stone, crystalline |
| Heat | Resin can scorch or discolor from a hot pan | Very good | Very good |
| Direct sun and UV | Can yellow or fade over years; not for outdoor kitchens | Stable | Stable |
| Stains | Non-porous, no sealing | Porous to varying degrees; seal every 1–2 years | Porous; seal every 1–2 years |
| Etching from acids | No | Rare in true quartzite | No |
| Scratches | Good | Excellent | Excellent |
| Look | Uniform, consistent veining | Marble-like veining, every slab different | Speckled or flowing, every slab different |
Ranges include the slab at mid-range pricing, template, fabrication, a standard eased or bevel edge, sink and cooktop cutouts, seams, installation and, on natural stone, the first sealing. Removing old tops, waterfall ends, mitered edges and full-height backsplashes are priced on top.
Where each countertop wins
Quartz is the choice when you want a clean, consistent look and no maintenance. It does not need sealing, does not stain from coffee or wine, and the color you pick from a sample is the color you get. Its weak points are heat and sunlight: the resin binder can mark under a hot pot, and a quartz top in direct sun from a west-facing window or on a covered patio can shift color over time. Use trivets and keep it indoors.
Quartzite is the natural stone people pick when they want the look of marble without marble's softness. Taj Mahal, Sea Pearl and similar slabs have soft veining and take heat and scratches well. The cost is higher because the slab costs more and it is slower to cut and polish. Some stones sold as quartzite are actually softer marbles or dolomites; we test a sample with a knife and an acid drop before fabrication. The quartzite countertop cost guide has the slab-grade breakdown.
Granite has fallen out of fashion in some kitchens, but it is hard, heat-proof, UV-stable and usually less expensive than quartzite. Newer granites with large movement and fewer speckles look nothing like the 2005 kitchen. For an outdoor kitchen, it is one of the safest choices.
Free estimate — call (561) 556-7509 or send us your project. Send a photo of your kitchen and the stone you are considering, and we'll give you a same-day range.
Call (561) 556-7509 or send us your project with photos, the city, approximate dimensions, and material selections.
How the slab choice changes the price
Natural stone is sold by the whole slab, roughly 55–75 sq ft each. A kitchen that needs 62 sq ft of counter may need two slabs because of piece sizes, the island length and vein matching, and the second slab costs the same whether you use a third or all of it. Quartz is sold the same way but slabs are more uniform, so layout waste is easier to manage.
Islands drive the slab count. A 10 ft island in one piece needs a slab at least that long; jumbo slabs cost more. A waterfall end adds 12–18 sq ft per side plus a mitered joint.
Edges are the other variable. An eased, bevel or half-bullnose edge is standard. A mitered edge that makes a 3 cm top look 6 cm thick adds fabrication time and cost on every linear foot.
How stone countertops are fabricated and installed
- Slab selection. You pick the slabs at the yard. For natural stone we tag the specific slabs so the layout uses the veining you saw.
- Template. A digital template after the cabinets are level and anchored, with the sink and cooktop on site.
- Layout. Pieces are placed on the slab image so seams land at the sink or a corner and veins run in a sensible direction across the island.
- Fabrication. Cutting, edge profiling and cutouts at the shop, typically 7–14 days.
- Install. Tops set on silicone, leveled and shimmed, seams joined with color-matched epoxy, undermount sink attached.
- Seal. Natural stone is sealed on install day.
Florida-specific considerations
Outdoor kitchens. Sun, rain and heat rule out quartz outdoors. Granite and dense quartzite hold up; leathered finishes hide water spots. See the outdoor kitchen cost guide.
Humidity and sealing. Sealers on natural stone work as well here as anywhere, but kitchens near the coast see more salt residue and hard-water marks. A pH-neutral cleaner and a resealing schedule every 1–2 years keep natural stone right.
Condo deliveries. Slabs arrive in pieces up to 10 ft long and several hundred pounds. We confirm elevator dimensions, loading dock hours and the association's insurance requirements before fabrication.
Porcelain slab as a fourth option. Thin porcelain slabs are heat-proof, UV-stable and need no sealing. They chip at the edges more easily than stone and need a mitered edge for thickness.
Stone countertops by city
- Stone slab installation in Boca Raton
- Stone slab installation in Fort Lauderdale
- Stone slab installation in Parkland
- Stone slab installation in Wellington
- Stone slab installation in Coral Gables
- Stone slab installation in Jupiter
- Stone slab installation in Weston
Related guides: Quartzite countertop cost · Porcelain slab walls cost · Kitchen remodel cost
Prefer to send photos or plans? Send us your project
Quartz vs quartzite vs granite — FAQ
Which is better for a Florida kitchen, quartz or quartzite? Indoors with normal use, both work. Quartz needs no sealing; quartzite handles heat and sun better and costs more. For an outdoor kitchen or a counter in direct sun, choose quartzite or granite.
Is quartzite more expensive than granite? Usually, yes. A typical kitchen runs $9,750–$16,000 in quartzite and $7,000–$12,500 in granite, because quartzite slabs cost more and take longer to fabricate.
Does quartz need to be sealed? No. Quartz is non-porous. Quartzite and granite get a penetrating sealer at installation and every 1–2 years after.
Can I put a hot pan on quartz? Avoid it. The resin can scorch or discolor. Quartzite and granite tolerate hot cookware far better, though trivets are still good practice.
How do I get an exact price? Call (561) 556-7509 or send photos and rough dimensions through our project form. A written estimate is typically ready within 24–48 hours after a site review and scope confirmation.
Free estimate — call (561) 556-7509 or send us your project. Licensed Florida general contractor CGC1540699. Serving Broward, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade counties.
Call (561) 556-7509 or send us your project with photos, the city, approximate dimensions, and material selections.