Compare · Updated July 2026

Quartz vs Granite vs Dekton: Full Worktop Comparison 2026

For a typical 7-metre UK kitchen in 2026, expect granite at £2,400–£3,650, quartz at £2,650–£3,850, and Dekton/porcelain at £3,650–£4,750 supplied & fitted. Granite wins on natural character; quartz wins on consistency and zero maintenance; Dekton wins on heat & scratch resistance plus the ability to span longer runs with fewer joins. The right choice depends on your priorities — here’s a full side-by-side.

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Quick Answer

Which worktop wins?

  • Best value: Mid-range granite (Star Galaxy, Black Pearl) — £340–£460/m², 25+ year lifespan
  • Best for low-maintenance: Quartz — non-porous, no sealing ever needed
  • Best for heavy cooks: Dekton — only one of the three that’s genuinely heat-proof
  • Best for resale value: Quartz in marble-look finishes (Calacatta, Statuario) on £450k+ properties
  • Best for character: Granite (unique slab, natural patterns)
Side-by-Side

Full Comparison Table

Same scope (7 linear metres, mid-range product, square-edge, 2 cut-outs, supplied & fitted) across all three materials.

PropertyGraniteQuartzDekton/Porcelain
Material100% natural stone~93% quartz + 7% resinSintered porcelain composite
Cost per m² (fitted)£340–£520£380–£550£520–£680
7m kitchen total£2,400–£3,650£2,650–£3,850£3,650–£4,750
Heat resistanceExcellent (300°C+)Poor — resin softens at 150°CExcellent (700°C+, hot pan straight off hob OK)
Scratch resistanceExcellent — harder than steelVery goodExcellent — effectively scratchproof
Stain resistanceNeeds sealing (1–2 yrs) — otherwise stains from wine, oil, citrusExcellent — non-porous, never sealExcellent — non-porous
UV stabilityExcellent (outdoor OK)Poor — resin yellows in direct sunExcellent (outdoor kitchens OK)
Pattern consistencyLow — each slab uniqueHigh — engineered for uniformityHigh — printed pattern, very repeatable
Slab size (max)3050x1900mm typical3050x1400mm3200x1440mm (large format = fewer joins)
Edge profile flexibilityExcellent — ogee, bullnose, mitred all viableExcellentLimited — ultra-hard material chips on complex profiles
MaintenanceReseal every 1–2 yearsNone — wipe with soapy waterNone — wipe with soapy water
Lifespan100+ years (with care)25–40 years40+ years
Outdoor useYesNoYes — designed for it
Best for resaleTraditional kitchensModern open-plan kitchensHigh-end / new-build kitchens
In Depth

Granite: When It’s the Right Choice

Granite is quarried natural stone — volcanic rock containing quartz, feldspar and mica. Each slab is unique. Cheapest tier (Star Galaxy, Black Pearl, New Caledonia, Steel Grey) at £340–£420/m² fitted. Premium / rare colours (Blue Bahia, Azul Macauba, Verde Lapponia) easily double that.

✓ Granite wins on:

  • Heat resistance (direct hot pans usually fine, though thermal shock can crack it)
  • Hardness & scratch resistance (harder than most kitchen knives)
  • Unique natural character — no two slabs identical
  • Suits traditional / classic / Shaker kitchen styles
  • UV-stable — works in conservatories & outdoor kitchens
  • Long lifespan (100+ years in heritage buildings)

✗ Granite loses on:

  • Needs sealing every 1–2 years (£80–£120 in product if DIY)
  • Stains from wine, oil, lemon juice if unsealed
  • Pattern variation can look busy in modern kitchens
  • Heavier than quartz — sometimes needs cabinet reinforcement
  • Premium colours can be 2–3× the entry price
In Depth

Quartz: When It’s the Right Choice

Engineered stone: typically 93% crushed natural quartz bonded with polymer resin and pigment. Brands include Caesarstone, Silestone, Compac, Cimstone, Cosentino, Quartzforms. Mid-range at £380–£460/m². Marble-look premium ranges (Calacatta, Statuario imitations) at £480–£580/m².

✓ Quartz wins on:

  • Zero maintenance — never needs sealing
  • Non-porous — doesn’t stain from wine, oil, citrus, coffee
  • Highly consistent pattern — predictable visual result
  • Best marble-look effect without natural marble’s fragility
  • Modern open-plan kitchens & resale value protection
  • Hygienic — no pores for bacteria

✗ Quartz loses on:

  • Resin softens at ~150°C — hot pans cause permanent damage
  • Resin yellows in direct sunlight — not suitable outdoors
  • Slightly smaller slabs than granite (more joins on long runs)
  • Crystalline silica content has fabricator-side health risks (HSE)
  • Engineered look — less character than natural stone
In Depth

Dekton/Porcelain: When It’s the Right Choice

Ultra-compact sintered surface — raw materials (porcelain, quartz, glass) pressed at 25,000 tonnes and sintered at 1,200°C. Brands include Cosentino Dekton, Neolith, Lapitec, Laminam. 12mm, 20mm or 30mm thickness. £520–£680/m² fitted. Premium but the longest-lasting and most technically capable of the three.

✓ Dekton wins on:

  • Heatproof to 700°C+ — only material where hot pan straight from hob is safe
  • Scratchproof — can’t damage with kitchen knives or steel wool
  • UV stable — safe for outdoor kitchens & BBQ runs
  • Largest slabs — minimises joins on long L-shapes
  • Frost-proof — works in unheated outbuildings
  • 40+ year lifespan, often longer

✗ Dekton loses on:

  • 30–40% more expensive than quartz for same scope
  • Edge profiles limited — complex ogee or bullnose can chip during fabrication
  • Brittle on impact — dropped heavy pan can crack thin (12mm) panels
  • Fewer UK fabricators — longer lead times in some regions
  • Repair if damaged is harder than granite or quartz
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Verdict

Our Recommendation by Scenario

🏡 Family home, busy kitchen, mid-budget

Choose: Quartz in mid-range plain or subtle marble-look (Caesarstone Cloudburst Concrete, Silestone White Storm). Zero maintenance, kid-proof, modern look. Budget ~£2,800–£3,500 for a typical 7m kitchen.

🏫 Heritage / Shaker / period kitchen

Choose: Granite in a darker grain (Star Galaxy, Steel Grey, Black Pearl). Natural character suits traditional cabinetry. Budget ~£2,400–£3,100. Plan in 30 min of sealing every 18 months.

🔥 Serious cook, gas hob, lots of hot pans

Choose: Dekton — only option where you can place a hot pan straight from the hob. Budget ~£3,650–£4,400. The premium is worth it for the use-case.

🏖 Outdoor kitchen / BBQ area

Choose: Dekton or granite. Both UV-stable. Avoid quartz — resin yellows in direct sunlight within 18–24 months.

💰 £450k+ home, resale focus

Choose: Quartz in premium marble-look (Caesarstone Calacatta Nuvo, Silestone Eternal Calacatta Gold). Highest ROI in modern open-plan kitchens. Budget ~£3,600–£4,300.

🏡 Rental / refurb-to-let

Choose: Entry-tier granite or premium laminate. Granite at £340/m² + standard edge gives 25+ years with zero tenant-side maintenance issues. Marketable in valuations.

Frequently Asked

Common Questions

For most kitchens, no — quartz handles 90% of daily kitchen abuse and the maintenance difference is marginal. Where Dekton genuinely earns the premium: outdoor kitchens, gas-hob enthusiasts who actually do place hot pans on the worktop, and high-end new builds where the design language matters. For a typical UK family kitchen, the £1,000–£1,400 saved by choosing quartz over Dekton is better spent on a better hob or sink.
Yes — granite is porous (especially lighter colours like white granite or Bianco Romano). Wine, oil, citrus and tomato juice can stain unsealed granite within hours. Sealer costs £25–£50 and takes 30 minutes to apply. Re-seal every 12–24 months — the “water bead test” (drop water on the surface; if it beads up the seal is intact) is a reliable check. Dark granites (Star Galaxy, Black Pearl) are less prone to staining — some homeowners go 3–4 years between seals.
Surface scratches: yes, fabricators can polish out with a buffer for ~£120–£220. Heat damage (burn marks from hot pans): no — the resin is locally destroyed and you usually need to replace the affected slab section. Chips on edges: yes, can be filled with colour-matched resin but it’s rarely invisible.
Once installed: completely safe — the silica is bound in resin and inert. The risk is to fabricators dry-cutting it without proper PPE. Following 2024 industry changes (and Australia’s ban on high-silica engineered stone), most UK suppliers now offer low-silica quartz (under 40% crystalline silica). Ask the supplier to confirm silica content if the topic concerns you. Reputable UK fabricators have moved to wet-cutting under HSE guidance.
Natural marble is gorgeous but high-maintenance for kitchen use — etches from anything acidic (lemon, vinegar, tomato), scratches easily, stains badly without aggressive sealing. For the look without the fragility, choose a marble-effect quartz like Caesarstone Statuario Maximus or Silestone Eternal Calacatta. Same look, 30+ year warranty, zero etching.
20mm is the modern default for all three materials — lighter, less stone, cleaner look. 30mm costs about 20% more, looks more substantial. For islands viewable from multiple sides, 30mm gives a more weighty appearance; for runs against a wall, 20mm is the smart spend. A 20mm slab with a mitred build-up to 60mm or 100mm gives a substantial waterfall edge look without the cost of 30mm.
Sources & Methodology

How we researched this comparison

Cost data drawn from 460+ recent UK worktop quotes via BestBuilders (Jan–May 2026), plus published 2026 trade pricing. Technical properties cross-checked against:

  • Caesarstone, Silestone, Compac & Cosentino 2026 technical data sheets
  • Dekton by Cosentino, Neolith, Lapitec 2026 spec sheets
  • Marble Institute of America granite stain & sealer testing data
  • HSE (Health & Safety Executive) guidance on respirable crystalline silica, 2024 update
  • Office for National Statistics Construction Output Price Indices for regional weighting
  • Cross-checked against published 2026 reviews on Which?, Real Homes & Houzz

Prices include VAT.Reviewed by the BestBuilders editorial team · Last updated: 3 August 2026. How we research & fact-check.

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Reviewed by the BestBuilders editorial team · Last updated: 3 August 2026 · Next scheduled review: November 2026 · See our editorial standards.
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