How long do quartz countertops last compared to granite in NB?

Both quartz and granite countertops will easily last 25-30 years or more in a New Brunswick kitchen, often outliving the cabinets and appliances around them. In terms of pure durability, the two materials are remarkably close, but their maintenance requirements and how they handle NB's specific climate conditions differ in meaningful ways.

Quartz is an engineered stone — roughly 93% ground natural quartz bound with polymer resins. Because it's non-porous, it never needs sealing and won't absorb moisture during NB's humid summers. It resists staining from coffee, wine, and cooking oils without any special treatment. The resin binders do have one vulnerability: direct heat. Setting a hot pot straight from the stove onto quartz can cause thermal shock and potentially discolour or crack the resin. Always use trivets. In terms of longevity, quartz maintains its appearance with virtually zero maintenance for decades — most manufacturers offer 15-25 year warranties, but the actual lifespan exceeds that significantly.

Granite is a natural stone that's incredibly hard and heat-resistant — you can set a hot pan directly on it without damage, which is a genuine advantage for busy kitchens. However, granite is porous and requires sealing once a year to prevent staining and moisture absorption. In New Brunswick's climate, this annual sealing is especially important: summer humidity can drive moisture into unsealed granite, and the dry winter air that follows can cause that trapped moisture to create micro-fissures over many heating cycles. A well-maintained granite countertop will last a lifetime, but a neglected one can develop permanent staining and dull spots within 5-10 years.

The NB Climate Factor

New Brunswick's extreme humidity swings give quartz a practical edge in longevity with less effort. Granite owners in Moncton or Saint John who stay on top of annual sealing will have countertops that look gorgeous for 30+ years. But many homeowners forget or skip sealing, and that's where granite starts showing its age faster than quartz. If you're the type who prefers a "set it and forget it" surface, quartz is the better choice for NB homes.

Both materials can chip if struck hard on an edge or corner, and both can be repaired by a professional. Quartz repairs tend to be slightly more visible because matching the engineered pattern is harder than filling a chip in uniform granite. Repair costs in NB run $150-400 per chip for either material.

From a resale perspective, both quartz and granite add strong value to NB homes. Quartz has become the more popular choice among buyers in the Moncton, Fredericton, and Saint John markets over the past five years, but granite remains a respected premium surface. At $60-120 per square foot installed for quartz and $55-110 for granite, the pricing in New Brunswick is comparable — your choice should come down to maintenance preference and heat habits rather than longevity concerns.

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Looking for experienced contractors? The New Brunswick Construction Network connects homeowners with qualified professionals:

• Gionetterenovations
• Thirty Four Renovations