These materials are often confused because of the name, but they’re not related in how they’re made. Quartzite forms naturally underground and is quarried in slabs, so each piece carries its own veining, color shifts, and mineral character. Quartz is manufactured from crushed quartz particles bound with resin, which is why its pattern repeats more predictably from slab to slab. Sealing needs also differ: quartzite may need periodic sealing depending on the specific stone, while quartz doesn’t require it. The clearest way to tell them apart is to see full slabs of each side by side.

Yes, quartz is a popular pick for exactly that reason. Because quartz doesn’t need sealing, everyday messes like spilled juice, sauce, or a splashed water bowl generally wipe off before they can leave a mark. That said, it isn’t indestructible. A heavy object dropped directly on an edge can still chip the surface, so normal care still matters. For homeowners who want to cross one maintenance task off the list, that’s often the deciding factor over a natural stone that needs periodic sealing.

It usually comes down to how the kitchen is used and how much variation you want to see. Granite is quarried stone, so no two slabs look exactly alike, and depending on the specific stone it may need sealing from time to time. Quartz is engineered to be nonporous with a more consistent pattern, which appeals to homeowners who want predictability across a large island. If you’re drawn to the natural movement of real stone, granite may be the better fit; if a uniform look and lower routine maintenance matter more, quartz tends to win out. One of our countertop specialists can walk through both against your layout and how you plan to use the space.

Yes, quartz is a frequent choice when homeowners want a full-height backsplash or an island top that reads as one continuous surface, since its manufactured consistency makes matching easier than with many natural stones. Whether a project can achieve that fully continuous look depends on slab yield and the layout involved, so it’s best worked out during material selection. Our team can review the plan and explain what’s realistic for the quartz color you have in mind.

Generally, no. Quartz is bound with resins that can react to prolonged sun exposure, sometimes fading or discoloring the surface over time. For a covered patio or outdoor kitchen, granite, quartzite, or porcelain are typically more practical choices, and our showroom staff  can help figure out which one suits your specific space.

Price depends on a combination of details rather than a single number: the quartz color and collection, total square footage, and the edge profile you choose all factor in. Sink, faucet, and appliance cutouts, plus site conditions like the current cabinet layout or removing an old countertop, can shift the scope as well. Because of that, a specific quote is the only reliable way to get accurate pricing.

Not necessarily. Many chips and cracks in quartz can be professionally repaired without replacing the whole countertop. What’s realistic depends on where the damage sits, how deep it goes, and whether the material around it is still stable. Our fabrication team can inspect the surface and recommend whether a repair or a replacement section is the better path forward.

Yes, a waterfall edge is one of the custom profiles we fabricate in-house, and quartz works well for it since its consistent pattern can run cleanly down the sides of an island without an obvious break. Getting that continuous look depends on slab size relative to the island’s dimensions, which is typically worked out during measurement and material selection. It’s worth bringing up early, since it can change how much material the project needs.

Once you’ve settled on a material and finalized details like the sink and edge profile, Granite & Marble Specialties schedules a digital template of the space before fabrication starts. The countertop is then cut and finished at the Kent facility ahead of a scheduled installation. Because timing depends on material availability and the project’s complexity, it’s best to confirm a current schedule once the project has been quoted.

Rough measurements or a cabinet plan go a long way, along with any sink or faucet specs you already have. Photos or samples of your cabinets, flooring, or backsplash tile also help when you’re comparing quartz colors and finishes in person. Lynnwood-area customers can visit the Lynnwood showroom directly, which offers more than 8,000 square feet of slabs and displays, while the Kent location remains the largest in-person selection of full slabs.