Dekton Vs Granite Worktops

Granite and Dekton are popular kitchen materials in many UK homes. Knowing each countertop’s advantages and disadvantages is the trick to choosing a suitable one.

Fortunately, Dekton and granite worktops have many differences that make it easy to decide based on the style of kitchen you want and how you plan to use it.

Stay tuned for a detailed comparison of Dekton vs. granite worktops, covering their designs, maintenance, stain resistance, price, pros & cons and more.

What Are Granite and Dekton Worktops Made Of?

Before comparing performance and appearance, it’s crucial to understand the composition of these two materials. Why? These components dictate what your worktop looks like and how it will fare against brutal force and the elements.

What’s a Granite Countertop Made Of?

Granite countertops come from a similar-named crystalline natural rock (igneous).

This rock must contain at least 20% quartz, or it wouldn’t be granite but other related rocks, such as gabbro. However, some samples contain as much as 60% quartz. That’s why granite countertops are tough and excellent for your kitchen, bathroom, or garage.

Other key minerals within granite are feldspar(10-65%) and muscovite/biotite(5-15%), whose abundance or lack of affects the appearance, as we’ll discuss shortly.

What’s a Dekton Worktop Made Of?

Dekton is a countertop material that combines different components, such as glass, porcelain, and quartz, under intense pressure (25,000 tons). This ultracompaction removes micro-defects and offers this material the hardness equivalent of natural stone alternatives like granite and quartz (7.0 on the Mohs scale).

Because it’s just as hard as the toughest granite and features some similar ingredients in granite, such as quartz, Dekton mimics the breathtaking allure of its natural stone alternatives and performs just as impressively, if not more.

Detailed Comparison of Granite Vs. Dekton Worktops

As mentioned, Dekton and granite have a similar degree of hardness, and the former mimics the appearance of natural stone countertops such as granite. Additionally, these two have a comparable level of heat resistance against regular kitchen high heat(230–260 °C). So, you may think it doesn’t matter which one you pick. But it does. Here’s a side-by-side comparison of these two worktop materials to help you decide:

Aesthetics

Of course, you’ll want your kitchen, bathroom, or workbench to look stylish, whether after a matte, gloss, or ultra-gloss finish, all of which are available in both countertop materials. However, Dekton, a mix of materials subjected to intense pressure, provides more room to play with colour than granite, which involves mining, cutting, and quarrying naturally formed rocks with predetermined compositions.

For instance, you won’t find granite in some solid shades because it’s a mineral mix and is limited to what nature provides. As Dekton is an engineered stone it comes in a wide range of colours including solid, marble-effect and contemporary designs. 

Nevertheless, granite still comes in numerous colours that can complement almost any decor.

Granite’s hue depends on the mineral composition as follows:

Colour options aside, granite is excellent if you want a luxurious, unique aesthetic because of its vast natural blend of minerals in varying percentages. Dekton is ideal for those looking for a contemporary, uniform design.

Stain Resistance

Dekton is the preferred choice for those with messy children and pets, as it’s more resistant to stains than granite. However, both materials offer solid stain resistance because of their low porosity.

Dekton’s zero porosity makes it extra-resilient against spills. However, spills aren’t the only way your countertop can stain (extreme heat leaves marks), so it’s stain-resistant and not stain-proof.

Granite is more prone to stains because its average porosity at room temperature is 0.84%. However, placing hot pans onto the surface can raise the porosity as high as 1.46%. The more porous your worktop is, the more likely it is to absorb soy sauce, mango juice, etc., and leave noticeable blemishes, especially on light-coloured granite countertops.

Scratch and Chip Resistance

Because both materials have the same hardness rating at peak sturdiness, Dekton and granite provide reliable scratch and chip resistance. However, some granite worktops have a 6.0 rating on the Mohs scale, making them less resilient than Dekton countertops.

Maintenance

Both materials are easy to maintain, but Dekton wins this round because it provides impregnable protection against fluid-induced stains.

Since granite is porous, you’ll have to seal it at least every 12-18 months to protect against stains from spills. Dekton worktops do not require sealing.

Often, both rely on the same materials for general cleaning. Apply gentle soap to the food or grease stain and rub gently in a circular fashion with a soft, damp cloth.

Price

Both materials are premium-priced compared to alternatives like laminate. That said, Granite is typically cheaper if you hope to save some money upfront.

On average, a granite worktop costs £120 – £180+ in the UK, while Dekton costs £250 – £800 for the same unit. 

Even at the minimum average lifespan of a granite countertop (10 years), you’ll need to seal it at least 6 to 10 times, following the 12-18-month sealing schedule. Depending on which sealant you use and whether you DIY or outsource services, this can raise your overall maintenance costs.

What Is Better: Dekton or Granite?

Choose a granite worktop if you want a luxurious natural stone at an affordable price. Choose a Dekton worktop if you want to avoid worrying about sealing and want more options for colours. The latter is also a better match if you want to spruce up your kitchen or bathroom with a solid-colour worktop.

Whichever material you decide, both materials often require professional installation.

Paramount Stone Specialists brings decades of experience and works with industry-leading suppliers to install elegant, long-lasting worktops. Ready to revamp your space with a stylish countertop? Call us on 01482 585600 or email info@paramountstone.co.uk to get your free quote and get started.