Key Takeaways
- Quartz is engineered stone made of ground quartz and resin, while granite is a porous natural stone.
- Cambria, a quartz brand RDC sells, says its quartz is not heat-proof and recommends a hot pad or trivet for hot pans.
- A kitchen with 55 sq ft of countertop costs $2,750 to $6,600 in quartz and $2,475 to $5,500 in granite at RDC.
- Removing the old countertop is a separate line on an RDC estimate, and RDC reconnects the sink.
- RDC's Bell Rd showroom in North Phoenix is open Sunday to Friday, 10 AM to 5 PM.
Is Quartz or Granite Better for a Phoenix Kitchen?
For an indoor Phoenix kitchen, quartz is the easier countertop to live with, and granite is the better pick for one-of-a-kind natural stone. Your cooking, cleaning and look preferences decide it. Both are durable countertops for Phoenix homes, and RDC sells and installs both.
RDC Renovation & Design Concepts is a flooring contractor in Phoenix, Arizona, that sells and installs flooring, tile and countertops. Its quartz and granite countertop installation in Phoenix covers kitchens, bathrooms and outdoor kitchens.
When Granite Wins
- You want real natural stone with movement and depth.
- You cook a lot and set hot cookware down often.
- You want natural stone at a starting price a little below quartz.
When Quartz Wins
- You want a surface with no sealer to renew.
- You want a consistent pattern that matches from slab to slab.
- You want a busy family counter that needs only daily wiping.
- You are doing a bathroom vanity or laundry room where low upkeep matters most.
A white veined quartz waterfall island, installed by RDC in a Scottsdale kitchen.
Quartz vs. Granite Countertops: Pros and Cons Side by Side
| Factor | Quartz | Granite |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Engineered stone (ground natural quartz + resin) | 100% natural stone, quarried in slabs |
| Sealing | Never, nonporous | Yes, then resealed when the sealer maker says |
| Hard-water spots | Clean with warm water and mild soap (Cambria) | White buildup can form around fixtures |
| Heat | Use a trivet or hot pad for hot pans | Takes heat well; a trivet is still a good habit |
| Appearance | Consistent, predictable patterns | Unique, no two slabs alike |
| Outdoor kitchens | Not recommended outdoors | Recommended by RDC |
| Thickness at RDC | 2 cm or 3 cm | 2 cm or 3 cm |
Please note: these are typical ranges and can vary. Final pricing is set individually for each customer based on your specific project, materials, and scope, confirmed in your free written estimate. See financing options.
Want exact pricing for your kitchen? Get a free written estimate or call or text (602) 788-1446.
Is Quartz More Expensive Than Granite in Phoenix?
Quartz is a little more expensive than granite at RDC in Phoenix, but the two ranges overlap heavily. Quartz countertops cost $50 to $120 per square foot installed and granite $45 to $100. Granite starts $5 lower per square foot. The slab you choose, the edge profile and the cutouts set where your kitchen lands in each range.
Worked example for a kitchen with 55 sq ft of countertop: quartz is 55 × $50 to $120 = $2,750 to $6,600. Granite is 55 × $45 to $100 = $2,475 to $5,500. Removing the old countertop is a separate line on the estimate. RDC reconnects the sink after install.
For every material and tier, see the countertop installation cost in Phoenix guide, or book countertop installation with RDC.
Granite on the island and perimeter of a Mesa kitchen, installed by RDC.
Can Hard Water Damage Quartz or Granite Countertops?
Hard water leaves mineral spots on quartz and granite countertops as it dries, and both care guides treat the spots as a cleaning job. Phoenix water is hard, at 10 to 17.6 grains per gallon in the City of Phoenix Water Services 2025 water quality data. Cambria calls its quartz surface nonabsorbent, so the spots stay on top.
Skip acidic descalers on quartz. The Cambria care and maintenance guide rules out acid and abrasive cleaners.
Granite is a porous natural stone. In a Use Natural Stone granite care article, a stone expert notes that water left around fixtures can calcify and turn white. The article says a neutral cleaner once a week handles the buildup. For more on Phoenix water, see the Phoenix hard water and heat guide or RDC's countertop installation page.
Another view of the same Mesa kitchen: granite counters with a subway tile backsplash, installed by RDC.
Can Quartz Countertops Handle Heat?
Quartz countertops need a trivet or hot pad under hot pans. Cambria says its quartz is not heat-proof. It may not withstand the direct transfer of heat from pots and pans, so the care guide recommends a hot pad or solid trivet. Cambria's warranty also excludes damage from direct or sustained heat.
For granite, Use Natural Stone, the Natural Stone Institute's consumer campaign, says granite will not melt or blister when exposed to heat. A trivet is still a good habit on any stone. RDC's quartzite countertops guide adds the heat comparison for quartzite, and RDC's countertop installation covers every stone.
Can Quartz Be Used in an Outdoor Kitchen in Arizona?
Standard indoor quartz is not a good fit for an Arizona outdoor kitchen. Cambria's warranty, for example, applies only to interior use and excludes outdoor and partially exposed outdoor installations. For a Phoenix outdoor kitchen, RDC recommends granite or a porcelain slab its manufacturer rates for outdoor use. Call or text (602) 788-1446 to talk through the options.
RDC builds outdoor kitchen and BBQ countertops and confirms the outdoor rating of the specific slab before it is ordered. See outdoor and indoor countertop installation for the materials RDC carries.
A light veined quartz countertop with a raised bar ledge, installed by RDC in a Phoenix kitchen.
See Quartz and Granite at the North Phoenix Showroom
RDC's showroom at 1610 E Bell Rd Suite 101 in North Phoenix shows quartz and granite next to quartzite, marble and porcelain slab. You choose your actual slab there, and book-matched slabs are available. RDC then schedules a free in-home measure and a written quote.
"Customers pick the actual slab, not just a sample. You walk the showroom and choose the piece that goes in your kitchen. If it's granite, we seal it the day it goes in."Eli Kovalev, Owner, RDC Renovation & Design Concepts
Showroom hours are Sunday to Friday, 10 AM to 5 PM, and Saturday closed. Get directions or call or text (602) 788-1446 to book a visit. The Phoenix flooring showroom page shows what else is on display.
RDC is fully insured and rated 5.0 on Google. It has completed 382+ projects across the Phoenix Valley, each backed by a 1-year workmanship warranty.
Granite vs. Quartz in Scottsdale: Does the Answer Change?
The answer does not change in Scottsdale: the stones behave the same, and the water there is hard too. Scottsdale's 2026 Water Quality Report lists 13 to 15 grains per gallon south of Indian School Road. North of it, the range is 13 to 17. RDC handles countertop installation in Scottsdale too.
RDC has installed the white quartz waterfall island shown above in a Scottsdale kitchen. See home renovation in Scottsdale for RDC's other work there.
Quartz and Granite Across the Valley
The same comparison applies across the Valley, and RDC has real countertop jobs in several cities.
- Paradise Valley: RDC built an outdoor kitchen and BBQ bar beside a pool in Paradise Valley. See Paradise Valley flooring, tile and stone.
- Mesa: both granite photos on this page show one RDC kitchen in Mesa. See Mesa home renovation.
- Peoria: RDC installed quartz countertops and an engineered hardwood floor in a Peoria kitchen. See tile and flooring in Peoria.
- Gilbert: tile showers and countertops are the most common requests RDC gets in Gilbert. See flooring and tile in Gilbert.
- Chandler: see flooring and tile removal in Chandler for RDC's work there.
For the whole kitchen surface, see kitchen backsplash installation in Phoenix or RDC's guide to choosing a kitchen remodeling contractor in Phoenix. Real project photos are in the gallery, or get a free estimate for your kitchen or bath.