Countertop guides, with the sources shown.
Plain answers on stone, edges, seams and care. Each guide says who is making each claim, and links to where we read it.
Start here
Granite vs Quartz Countertops: Which Is Better?
Match the stone to your habits. Check who is making each claim. Ask to see the exact slab.
- Quartz makers say theirs needs no sealing. The Natural Stone Institute says most granite does not need it either, though in many cases sealing makes sense.
- Use a trivet on both. Every maker and institute care page we read says so.
- Granite is the safer pick in direct sun, per the Institute's campaign site and MSI, who both have a stake. For a patio, MSI says quartz is not recommended outdoors.
Guides to start with
One question each, with the sources shown.
Choosing a material
Stone, edge and sink choices before you order.
Planning the job
Seams, support and the order of work.
Living with it
Heat, sealing and daily care.
- Are Granite Countertops Radioactive? Radon Facts for NJKnow the stone holds trace uranium. Test the air in your home. Fix only what the test shows.Granite holds trace uranium and can release radon, but the EPA calls it extremely unlikely that the radiation from a countertop would raise your yearly dose above background.
- Can You Put Hot Pans on Quartz? What Makers SayUse a trivet every time, and know what your maker's warranty says.No. Set hot pans and appliances on a trivet or hot pad.
- How Often to Seal Granite Countertops (Test First)Run the water test. Read the result. Ask the shop what was done to your slab.The Natural Stone Institute (2006 position) says most granite countertops do not need sealing, though many gain from a quality sealer.
- How to Clean Granite and Quartz Countertops SafelyWipe with soap and water. Skip vinegar and bleach. Test before you seal.Warm water with a little mild dish soap, rinsed and dried, is the safe daily clean for granite and quartz.
- How to Repair a Chip in Granite or Quartz CountertopsMeasure the chip. Check the cutout and the warranty. Know when to hand it over.Fill a chip at home only if it is under a quarter inch, on a flat area, with no crack running from it.
How these guides are written and checked
The Chleb AI editorial team writes each guide for New Granite & Marble. We open and read every source before a claim goes in, and the guide shows who said it: a stone association, a maker or the shop itself. The numbers in each section point to the Sources list at the end, with the date we read each page.
A second reviewer then checks every claim against the linked source. A claim that source does not support comes out. The reviewer's date is on the guide.
Found a mistake or something out of date? Tell us through the contact form and we correct the guide.
Have a stone question we have not answered?
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