Introduction: Quartz vs. Granite – What’s Winning Hearts in 2025?
Picture yourself standing in a showroom in Little Rock, torn between two stunning countertop options: quartz and granite. Both look amazing, but there’s a buzz around quartz that’s hard to ignore. So, you wonder, “Why do people prefer quartz over granite?” It’s a question popping up everywhere—from Sherwood kitchens to Hot Springs remodels—and for good reason. Quartz has been climbing the popularity charts, stealing the spotlight from granite in homes across Arkansas and beyond.
At The Countertop Store, located at 14844 Ingram Rd, North Little Rock, AR 72117, we’ve watched this shift firsthand—helping folks in Conway, Pine Bluff, and Benton pick their perfect countertop. In this 2025 guide, we’re diving into why quartz is winning over granite—covering maintenance, style, durability, and more. Let’s unpack the reasons and see if quartz is your countertop crush too!
Quartz vs. Granite: A Quick Rundown
Before we get into the “why,” let’s set the stage with what these contenders bring to the table in North Little Rock or Maumelle.
What Is Quartz?
Quartz countertops are engineered—90-94% crushed natural quartz mixed with 6-10% resins, pigments, and binders. Think of it as nature meets tech—tough, non-porous, and customizable for kitchens in Searcy or Jacksonville.
What Is Granite?
Granite is 100% natural stone, quarried from the earth—each slab a unique mix of minerals with wild veins and speckles. It’s a classic, loved for its raw beauty in homes from Bryant to Cabot.
Why Preference Matters
Your search intent? You’re likely weighing a countertop upgrade in Conway or Alexander, wanting to know why quartz is the crowd favorite—and if it’s right for you. Let’s explore the reasons people in Arkansas are picking quartz over granite!
Reason #1: Low Maintenance – Quartz’s Big Win
One word keeps popping up in Sherwood or Hot Springs: maintenance—or rather, the lack of it with quartz.
No Sealing Needed
- Quartz is non-porous—resin seals every gap at the factory. Spill wine in Pine Bluff? Wipe it off—no sealing, no stress. Granite’s porous—needs yearly sealing ($50-$100) in Benton or Searcy to block stains. Skip it, and you’re scrubbing for life.
Easy Cleaning
- Soap and water—30 seconds daily—keeps quartz pristine in Little Rock. Turmeric in Maumelle? No stain. Granite demands quick spill action—oil or coffee sets in without sealant, costing $200-$500 to fix in Conway.
Time Saved
- No sealing, no special cleaners—quartz cuts upkeep to nil in Jacksonville. Granite’s a chore—30 minutes yearly for sealing, plus stain watches. Busy families in Cabot love quartz’s “set it and forget it” vibe.
Real-World Edge
- A Bryant mom told us, “Quartz saved me—I cook messy, and it’s still flawless.” Granite in Alexander? Her friend seals every year—quartz wins for ease.
Reason #2: Endless Style Options
Quartz isn’t just practical—it’s a style chameleon, dazzling homes from Sherwood to Hot Springs.
Color Variety
- Quartz offers every shade—white, gray, black, even blues or pinks—in Conway or Benton. Granite’s stuck with nature’s palette—earth tones in Searcy, rare exotics in Pine Bluff cost $100+/sq.ft. Quartz’s range wins hearts.
Pattern Control
- Want marble-like veins? Uniform speckles? Quartz delivers—consistent across slabs in Maumelle or Jacksonville. Granite’s wild—beautiful but unpredictable—slabs mismatch in big Cabot kitchens.
Finish Flexibility
- Polished or matte—quartz nails 2025 trends in Little Rock. Granite’s polished or leathered—great, but less sleek in modern Alexander homes. Quartz’s matte whites steal the show.
Design Appeal
- A North Little Rock client picked quartz’s veined gray—$80/sq.ft.—over granite’s $60/sq.ft. speckles. “It fits my modern vibe,” they said—quartz’s tailored look trumps granite’s chaos for many.
Reason #3: Consistency and Uniformity
Quartz’s engineered edge shines in Benton or Bryant—here’s why it’s a preference perk.
Slab-to-Slab Match
- Quartz slabs are identical—perfect for big kitchens in Conway or Hot Springs. Granite varies—slabs from different batches clash in Sherwood, frustrating perfectionists in Searcy.
Seamless Look
- Large installs (50+ sq.ft.) in Cabot—quartz seams blend better with uniform patterns. Granite’s wild veins highlight joints in Maumelle—less polished.
Predictable Beauty
- Pick a quartz sample in Jacksonville—it’s what you get. Granite in Alexander? What you see might not match the slab—quartz’s reliability wins trust.
Client Story
- A Pine Bluff homeowner swapped granite for quartz—$3,200 vs. $2,500—“Granite didn’t match; quartz nailed my vision.” Consistency’s a biggie!
Reason #4: Durability with Less Fuss
Quartz holds its own in Little Rock or Conway—durability without the drama.
Stain Resistance
- Non-porous quartz laughs at spills—curry in Benton wipes off, no sealing. Granite stains without care—$200-$500 fixes in Sherwood if unsealed.
Scratch Resistance
- Mohs 7—quartz resists knives in Bryant (use boards anyway). Granite’s 6-7—tough, but sealing gaps matter—quartz feels sturdier in Cabot.
Heat Catch
- Granite takes hot pans—1,200°F—in Hot Springs. Quartz caps at 300°F—trivets ($5-$20) needed in Jacksonville. Granite wins heat, but quartz’s ease balances it.
Longevity Payoff
- Quartz: 30-50 years, no upkeep—$2,000-$4,800 in Maumelle. Granite: 50-100 years, but sealing’s key—$1,600-$4,000 in Conway. Quartz’s fuss-free life sways folks.
Reason #5: Cost vs. Value Sweet Spot
Price tags matter in Searcy or Alexander—quartz’s value shines bright.
Upfront Cost
- Quartz: $50-$120/sq.ft. – $2,000-$4,800 for 40 sq.ft.
- Granite: $40-$100/sq.ft. – $1,600-$4,000—cheaper at low end in Sherwood.
Maintenance Savings
- Quartz: $0/year—no sealing in Benton. Granite: $50-$100/year—adds $500-$1,000 over 10 years in Hot Springs. Quartz saves cash long-term.
ROI Boost
- Quartz: $2,000-$5,000 added value—60-80% ROI in Little Rock. Granite: $2,000-$6,000—same range, but luxe markets in Conway lean granite. Quartz’s ease sells faster.
Budget Win
- A Cabot family picked quartz—$3,500—“No sealing saved us $500 already.” Granite’s upkeep in Bryant tipped them to quartz’s value.
Overcoming Quartz Challenges
Quartz isn’t perfect—here’s why people still pick it over granite in North Little Rock or Pine Bluff.
Heat Sensitivity
- Issue: 300°F limit—burns need trivets ($5-$20) in Conway.
- Why Quartz Wins: Granite’s heat-proof, but quartz’s no-seal ease outweighs it in Maumelle—$200-$500 fixes are rare with care.
Higher Cost
- Issue: $50-$120/sq.ft. vs. $40-$100/sq.ft.—pricier start in Benton.
- Why Quartz Wins: No upkeep evens it—$2,000-$4,800 beats granite’s $1,600-$4,000 + $500-$1,000 sealing in Sherwood.
Less “Natural”
- Issue: Engineered vs. granite’s raw stone—some in Searcy miss nature.
- Why Quartz Wins: Versatility—modern vibes in Jacksonville trump granite’s wildness for most.
Fix It
- Trivets, remnants ($10-$30/sq.ft.), and bold quartz designs—$2,000-$4,800—keep it winning in Cabot or Alexander.
FAQ: Your Quartz vs. Granite Preference Questions
Still curious? Here’s what folks in Arkansas ask us at The Countertop Store:
Why do people prefer quartz over granite?
Low maintenance—no sealing—plus style and consistency win in Little Rock.
Is quartz easier to maintain than granite?
Yes—wipe and go vs. yearly sealing ($50-$100) in Conway—quartz rules.
Does quartz look better than granite?
Depends—quartz’s sleek variety shines in Sherwood; granite’s wild charm rocks Hot Springs.
Is quartz worth the cost over granite?
For ease—$2,000-$4,800—yes; granite’s $1,600-$4,000 saves upfront in Benton.
Where can I see both?
Visit 14844 Ingram Rd, North Little Rock, AR 72117—samples galore!
Conclusion: Quartz’s Preference Edge in 2025
So, why do people prefer quartz over granite? It’s the no-seal life—wipe and go in Little Rock or Sherwood—paired with endless styles, from Conway’s sleek whites to Maumelle’s bold veins ($2,000-$4,800). Granite’s durability (50-100 years) and natural charm ($1,600-$4,000) shine in Benton or Searcy, but quartz’s ease, consistency, and modern appeal steal the show in 2025. At The Countertop Store, we’ve seen quartz win hearts across Arkansas—Pine Bluff to Jacksonville—for its fuss-free beauty.
Ready to see why quartz is the countertop king? Stop by 14844 Ingram Rd, North Little Rock, AR 72117, call 501-658-6511, or visit thecountertopstore.co for a free quote. Let’s make your kitchen in Bryant or Cabot the envy of 2025—quartz-style!
