Granite vs. Quartz: Which Countertop Is Right for Your Lake of the Ozarks Home?

If you’ve been staring at your old countertops wondering whether to go with granite or quartz, you’re not alone. We’ve helped hundreds of homeowners and builders around Lake of the Ozarks wrestle with that exact question.

And guess what? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer.

The right choice depends on your home, your lifestyle, your style preferences—and yes, your budget. But the good news is: we’ve been installing both materials for over 20 years, and we know the pros, cons, and real-world differences like the back of our hands.

So let’s break it down.

Whether you’re redoing a cozy kitchen in Camdenton or updating a rental property in Osage Beach, here’s the real deal on granite vs. quartz countertops—no fluff, no hype, just honest advice.

What Are Granite and Quartz, Exactly?

Let’s start with the basics—because they’re not the same thing, even though they get lumped together a lot.

🪨 Granite: Straight From the Earth

Granite is a 100% natural stone, quarried from the earth, cut into slabs, and polished for use. No additives. No man-made resins. Just nature doing its thing over millions of years.

Every slab is one-of-a-kind, with swirls, speckles, and patterns that are totally unique. Some have big, dramatic movement; others are more subtle and uniform.

You’ll find granite in everything from mountain lodges to upscale kitchens—and it’s not going out of style any time soon.

🧪 Quartz: Engineered for Performance

Quartz countertops are man-made, but still use natural quartz crystals (usually around 90–93%) mixed with resin and pigments. That blend gets compressed into slabs and baked to form a super durable, non-porous surface.

Quartz tends to have a more consistent look than granite, but with today’s designs, it can also mimic natural marble or stone really well.

It’s basically a low-maintenance dream—especially in places like vacation homes or busy family kitchens.

Let’s Talk Looks: Which One Wins on Style?

This comes down to taste. But here’s how they compare when it comes to visual appeal:

🟢 Granite’s Big Strength: Natural Beauty

If you love the idea of something that no one else has—granite is your material. The veining, depth, and variation can be absolutely stunning, especially in larger pieces like islands or waterfall edges.

Want something earthy and warm for your lake house kitchen? Or a dramatic dark slab for a modern bathroom? Granite gives you a lot of personality and natural movement.

💬 “We recently installed a leathered granite top in a home near the Niangua arm. It had these smoky gray swirls that looked like storm clouds. The homeowner couldn’t stop staring at it.”

🟢 Quartz’s Big Strength: Sleek, Consistent Style

Quartz wins when it comes to uniformity and clean design. If you’re after that crisp, modern look with a white background and soft veining—quartz nails it.

It also works great in contemporary lake homes or paired with bold cabinet colors. And if you’ve got a rental property, quartz is the go-to for easy cleanup and fewer surprises.

Durability: Which One Holds Up Better?

They’re both tough—but they each have their quirks. Here’s how they stack up.

🔸 Heat Resistance

• Granite: Handles hot pans, pots, and curling irons like a champ.

• Quartz: More heat-sensitive due to the resin—always use a trivet or hot pad.

Lake tip: If your kitchen sees a lot of grilling or fish-frying (hey, we get it), granite might be a safer bet for high-heat situations.

🔸 Scratch Resistance

• Granite: Pretty tough but not invincible—cutting directly on it isn’t recommended.

• Quartz: Slightly better for scratch resistance overall, but again, use a cutting board.

🔸 Stain Resistance

• Granite: Needs to be sealed once a year to protect from stains (it’s porous).

• Quartz: Non-porous and stain-resistant out of the gate—no sealing ever.

Maintenance: Quartz Is Easier, But Granite’s Not Hard

If you want zero fuss, quartz wins. But don’t count granite out—especially if you’re willing to give it a quick seal once a year (which takes about 15 minutes).

Granite Maintenance:

• Clean with warm water or a pH-neutral cleaner

• Reseal once a year (we’ll show you how)

• Avoid harsh chemicals and acidic cleaners

Quartz Maintenance:

• Wipe with soap and water or a non-abrasive cleaner

• No sealing or special products needed

• Don’t expose to extreme heat or UV light

💬 “One of our clients in Sunrise Beach chose quartz for their Airbnb kitchen—three years in, still looks brand new and takes zero effort to maintain.”

Price: What You Can Expect to Spend

This can vary a lot based on the color, pattern, thickness, and edge detail—but here’s a ballpark:

Granite sometimes comes in under quartz if you pick a common color. But premium quartz styles (especially marble-look slabs) can tip the scale the other way.

We’ll always walk you through the options and pricing before anything gets cut—we hate surprises as much as you do.

Which One’s Better for Lake Homes?

Here’s what we recommend based on real projects we’ve done all around the Lake:

Real Stories From Lake of the Ozarks Projects

Sometimes it helps to hear what others around here have chosen:

• Remodel in Osage Beach: Couple chose white quartz with soft veining to brighten their dark kitchen. Installed in 12 days—kitchen totally transformed.

• New build in Eldon: Builder used granite throughout to add natural character. Every bathroom had a different stone, and the client loved the variety.

• Airbnb in Camdenton: Owner picked quartz for every surface. Guests are hard on things, but it still looks flawless two summers later.

Final Verdict: Which One Should You Choose?

If you want something:

• Unique and natural → Go with granite

• Clean and consistent → Choose quartz

• Low-maintenance → Definitely quartz

• Heat-resistant and bold → Granite’s your guy

• Trend-forward and sleek → Quartz all day

• Good for resale → Either—buyers love both

Still stuck? That’s what we’re here for.

Here’s the Best Part: No Matter What You Choose, You’ll Have It in 14 Days

At 14 Day Countertops, we keep it simple:

✅ Free consultations and estimates
✅ A showroom full of granite and quartz options
✅ Skilled local fabricators with 20+ years of experience
✅ Installation within 14 days of your final measurements

You don’t have to drag this out for months. If you’re ready to get started, we’ll walk you through the whole thing—start to finish.

📍 Serving Lake of the Ozarks, Eldon, Jefferson City, and nearby towns

👉 Schedule Your Free Consultation Today

Ready to finally answer the “granite or quartz?” question for your home?

Let’s take a look at your space, talk about your needs, and help you choose the perfect countertop—for your kitchen, your lifestyle, and your budget.

Contact us now and book your free consultation. Let’s make your home shine—without the wait.