Granite, Quartz, and Quartzite: Which Is Right for Your Matthews NC Home?
Choosing among stone types is the most common question surrounding countertops Matthews NC buyers face. Here is a direct comparison to guide your decision.
Granite is a 100% natural igneous stone quarried in slabs. It requires annual sealing to prevent staining and scores a 6–7 on the Mohs hardness scale, making it highly scratch resistant. According to Remodeling Magazine's 2023 Cost vs. Value Report, a midrange kitchen countertop project returns approximately 60–70% of its cost at resale in the Charlotte metro region, which includes Matthews.
Quartz (engineered stone) is composed of roughly 90–95% ground natural quartz crystals bound with polymer resins. It is non-porous, never needs sealing, and is available in hundreds of consistent colors. The NKBA reports quartz is now the single most installed countertop surface in new kitchen construction.
Quartzite is a natural metamorphic stone that is harder than granite and offers a marble-like aesthetic without high porosity. It typically costs $70–$120 per square foot installed in the Matthews NC market, placing it in the premium tier.