<p>It will be one or the other but we are undecided because of too many conflicting claims. So we would like to hear experienced opinions. Both are in the same $60/70 PSF range and predominately dark in color. </p>
<p>We don’t know which is better both for use and resale value. Any advice appreciated. </p>
<p>Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>If it were me, I would go for something besides granite. I think quartz is much more durable, and not so trendy. </p>
<p>I’ll also be interested in what others think.</p>
<p>I think granite has a very slight edge in resale value. Granite needs to be sealed periodically. Quartz is slightly more bacteria resistant. You shouldn’t put a pot straight from the stove on either. I think you should go with whichever one you like the best.</p>
<p>Quartz, granite if not sealed correctly can give off radiation.</p>
<p>I L O V E my quartz counters. Don’t scratch, Don’t stain, don’t need maintenance and look great! And I got a smooth color, not spotty like granite. Just my 2¢, don’t know anything about resale value.</p>
<p>[snopes.com:</a> Granite Countertops and Radon](<a href=“http://www.snopes.com/medical/toxins/granite.asp]snopes.com:”>Granite Countertops and Radon | Snopes.com)</p>
<p>Sounds like a test is in order at our home. I am guessing it will be fine…seems like a big fuss would have been made if suddenly homes were being innundated with radiation.</p>
<p>Still, good to know…</p>
<p>Soapstone is so nice.</p>
<p>Ditto on the soapstone!</p>
<p>I realize OP said they were going with either granite or quartz, but I gotta say when we remodeled our kitchen, I was so uncertain, and couldn’t decide between granite and quartz. Kept looking & looking. </p>
<p>Until I finally considered soapstone. It feels so good to the touch, has a strong, calming look, you can set hot dishes directly on it, won’t stain, doesn’t have to be sealed (although can be oiled). I feared the possible scratches, but I really can’t tell that mine has any scratches (had it about 4 years now).</p>
<p>Again, can’t really help if you are certain it’s between granite and quartz. But, if there is any uncertainly, I would suggest giving soapstone a(nother) look.</p>
<p>We did granite countertops in our kitchen this year as part of a whole house upgrade for sale purposes (house is on the market now). We live in the south in a large suburban neighborhood that’s about twenty years old. The reno. guys we hired told us to go with granite since that’s what most of the general public (in our price range) expects to see when they walk in the door.</p>
<p>I have granite in a kitchen and don’t like it( the type/color)…i put granite in a master bath remodel and LOVE it…at your price point,not sure i could find a granite i’d like…the granite in our kitchen is a very common,boring granite…when we redo the kitchen we will replace the granite with a nicer granite…that said, what do the homes in your area have? This wouldn’t be a deciding factor, but something i would consider</p>
<p>I’ve had granite in my kitchen for about 15 years now - rather tired of its striations and busy pattern. When I remodel, I’ll look at soapstone and a very plain white marble such as statuario - I’d like a creamy, neutral look. Most of the quartz I’ve seen looks quite contemporary and rather severe.</p>
<p>We did granite last year. I love it. We got one we love and I really liked that we picked out the exact slab we wanted. What I love is pulling things out of the oven or off the stove and putting it right on the counters. </p>
<p>You don’t have to seal it that often, that is a myth, and it’s not like it’s a big deal to do it.</p>
<p>I would see what sells better in your area, or what is expected. Around here for my house value people expect granite and stainless appliances.</p>
<p>I love the soapstone and also the stained concrete. I think the granite is on its way out already.</p>
<p>I have soapstone in the bathrooms and granite in the kitchen. Granite looks better and is easier to maintain. If I had to do it over, I would do granite throughout. It’s available in so many colors and patterns that it would please anybody. I have put hot pots on the granite and nothing has happened. I haven’t sealed it since we put it in five years ago. Much easier to clean than the soapstone. I use soap and water.</p>
<p>We have quartz (Silestone & Caesarstone) in kitchen & baths. It’s best for us because the stuff is virtually indestructible. I clean with Lime Away and Windex, no changes in color, scratching etc. That said, it’s still a resin and does look laboratory-esque in the style/color we got. Also, the kitchen counter is in coffee brown, which is great for hiding random coffee grounds & drips but also hid the major ant infestation until it was at the “OMG why are the coffee grounds moving” stage. My friends have all gotten granite, and I have extreme granite envy when I visit. If I had it to do over I would probably go for a black (uba tuba?) granite that has the extreme sealant-supposedly as good as quartz.</p>
<p>Not a granite fan at all. Love soapstone. But it’s a matter of taste - yours. Because you really never know what the taste of the next home buyer of your home will be.</p>
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<p>We got Ivory Fantasy granite…it’ very light.</p>
<p>I think you should go with whatever you like best. We have friends who love their granite, others who love their quartz and others who love their soapstone (I wlll say the soapstone owners have already had a chip in theirs…they were NOT happy about that).</p>
<p>We looked at all three. At the end of the process…we found a granite we really like that does not have a lot of variation in the pattern. It is a light color and looks great in our kitchen.</p>
<p>We found it MUCH harder to choose the sink and faucet (see other threads)! We went with a quartzite sink and a Hansgrohe Allegro E faucet.</p>
<p>If you plan on living there 7 years or more go for what you would like. Have you ever watched those home buying shows? Any time anyone walks into a kitchen that is not brand new they assume they are going to tear it out. </p>
<p>Right now everyone loves granite. I admit, when I look at homes, I assume I’d take out the soapstone/quartz because I prefer granite. (And I have granite right now.) But you aren’t selling right now.</p>
<p>My kitchen granite - stony creek - is truly, indestructible. I guess that’s why I still have it after 15 years. It does not need sealing, nor has it cracked or chipped. I chose a gray/tan very plain granite for my son’s bathroom which does require regular sealing, but it’s actually my favorite stone in the house. My SIL just bought a new home with creamy off white marble and black slate in the kitchen - the island is black and the surrounding counters are white (really ivory), and it looks great - sophisticated, neutral. The cabinets are mostly antique white bead board with some dark cherry pieces here and there. Very nice. I guess it wouldn’t be right for me to copy her kitchen, though.</p>
<p>Marble looks beautiful, but you have to be very careful to clean up spills right away, or it can stain. It’s used more and more in high-end kitchens these days, but I don’t think it’s a very practical choice, other than for a small baking area.</p>