COMAF Marble & Granite Team
Stone Fabrication Specialists
Most El Paso homeowners walk into our Gateway Blvd E showroom assuming granite is always cheaper than quartz. That used to be true — but the gap has narrowed, and the real answer depends on the slab, your layout, and El Paso's desert climate. We've been a family-owned stone fabricator since 1985, and here's an honest look at which material is actually more affordable for Borderland homes.
Many customers come in expecting granite countertops to be far cheaper than quartz. It once was, but not anymore. The difference between the two materials has narrowed considerably over the past ten years. The National Kitchen and Bath Association reports that mid-range granite and quartz now sit in roughly the same cost bracket for most homes. We often hear from homeowners that they never expected this, even before they start getting quotes.
Granite was once the more common countertop. With so many quarries and fabricators involved, the price stayed relatively low. Over the last several years, quartz has gained more market share with expanded manufacturing capacity and more options. When the market grows and the number of fabricators keeps climbing, the price for the consumer comes down — both in El Paso and across the Borderland.
Granite prices have also gone up as quarries around the world get more selective about which slabs they release to fabricators. That makes it harder for granite fabricators to get certain patterns and colors. Because we work directly with Brazilian quarries, we see firsthand how rarity drives prices. The cost of certain exotic granite slabs can equal — or even exceed — the cost of popular quartz options.
A few of the things that factor into a countertop project's final price: slab color and pattern (a Giallo Ornamental costs far less than a Blue Bahia), edge profile (a simple eased edge is less expensive than a full bullnose or ogee), layout complexity (a large kitchen with an island and more seams costs more than a simple L-shaped kitchen), and cutouts (more sink, cooktop, and faucet cutouts mean more fabrication time and a higher project price).
The countertop material is only one part of the final price. Two homeowners in El Paso's Eastside, for example, could both select a quartz slab in the same color and end up with two different prices because of their layouts.
We see this all the time: a customer thinks granite is less expensive but ends up choosing an exotic granite at the top of the cost range. Meanwhile, a standard quartz in gray or white might be solidly mid-range. Don't assume that granite is always cheaper than quartz. Granite also requires sealing, while quartz does not — so if you look at costs beyond the purchase price, granite requires ongoing care that adds up over time.
Some brands of quartz with veining that mimics Calacatta marble run at the higher end, while a more basic granite in a neutral color might be much less. The point is that you can't compare all 'granites' to all 'quartzes' as one lump — their prices vary too much. Both materials are available in a broad price range.
As a family fabricator that's been in business in El Paso since 1985, we've watched the price balance between the two shift with each market cycle. The best move is to stop in our Gateway Blvd E showroom, look at real samples, and get accurate pricing for your project. Call us at (915) 345-3774 — and don't choose a material on assumptions about cost.
Many homeowners come in assuming the stone slab itself is the most significant part of their project price. That's not always the case. We've been fabricating and installing granite countertops and quartz countertops in El Paso since 1985, and your final price is determined by a combination of several key factors — not just the slab.
Material grade and origin. Every granite slab isn't the same. We import granite directly from Brazil, and there are many, many varieties from that one country alone — different colors, patterns, and mineral makeups. A common speckled granite is less expensive than an exotic color with distinctive veining. Quartz countertops also come in many colors and patterns, but they aren't quite as diverse in price.
Square footage and layout shape. A rectangular kitchen with one continuous countertop typically uses less stone than an L- or U-shaped layout, so it costs less. More edges mean more labor, and each additional corner, angle, or island increases the final price.
Edge profile. A simple eased edge is a common choice, but more decorative profiles like ogee and waterfall take more time at the fabrication shop. Since we fabricate all of our countertops at our El Paso shop, we can show you examples of each edge shape before you decide.
Cutouts and accessories. Every cutout — a hole for a sink, cooktop, or faucet — adds to your final bill. Undermount sinks require more time to cut than drop-in sinks. Installing a faucet into a bathroom vanity is typically quicker than setting one up on a kitchen island that also contains a prep sink and soap dispenser.
Removal and prep work. Does your countertop installation require removing your existing surface? Are your current cabinets sturdy enough to support stone? Both add time and cost to your project.
Even with the same stone, two kitchens in a common Eastside El Paso neighborhood can come out at very different costs. One might have 30 square feet of countertop. The other 55 square feet. A 3-centimeter slab gives a more substantial look than a 2-cm slab, but the 3-cm slabs are also heavier and need stronger supporting structures.
Customers often ask what this or that may cost. Our response is usually the same: come by our shop and let us measure your kitchen or bathroom in person so we can give you an accurate estimate. Many properties built long ago in Kern Place or Sunset Heights have unusual dimensions — uneven walls, non-standard cabinet sizes, plumbing fixtures in unexpected spots. We've seen thousands of Borderland homes with quirks like these, so nothing surprises our crews.
The stone you select matters, but so does everything around it. To understand the total cost of stone countertops in your particular home, call us at (915) 345-3774 to schedule an appointment or drop into our showroom at Gateway Blvd E. We'll walk you through stone options and associated costs based on real slabs and edge profiles — not figures pulled off the web.
The conversation about price really begins after you've purchased the slabs. You have one set of figures you'll write checks for at selection, and another set you'll continue paying for over time. Five years? Ten? Fifteen? Quartz wins here almost without exception.
Granite countertops need to be sealed. Granite care specialists recommend sealing annually — and for certain light-colored granites, twice a year. If you pay someone to seal, that's a real cost. If you do it yourself, it's a cost of time. Skip sealing altogether and granite can stain from wine, coffee, cooking oil, or even lemon juice. Many homeowners from the Eastside or Mission Hills have brought us pictures of granite that looks a decade older than it is — all because of a couple of skipped sealing years.
Quartz countertops never need sealing. That fact has a huge impact on long-term cost of ownership. No sealant to buy. No annual appointments. No worry about staining from normal kitchen use. Quartz is engineered to withstand most everyday spills, and cleaning is as simple as soap and water.
Over ten years, here's what to expect: granite countertops require annual sealing, cleaning with pH-neutral agents, and occasional professional polishing to buff out scratches and wear. Quartz countertops only need light soap-and-water cleaning — no sealing, no professional maintenance. Repair-wise, granite chips can sometimes be fixed at home but cracks require a professional. Quartz chips less often but isn't easily fixed by the average homeowner.
Countertop maintenance is among the biggest mistakes homeowners make when remodeling kitchens, says the National Association of Home Builders. We always tell clients the same thing: think five years down the road, not just the install day.
The El Paso exception. One issue specific to our desert climate affects this cost-benefit analysis. Quartz countertops have a small but real problem that matters more here than in most of the country — direct, prolonged UV exposure over time can cause a slight color change. The quartz resin can yellow or dull after sitting in the sun every day for years.
Take a look around your kitchen. Are there large west-facing windows above the sink? Does the afternoon sun shine over your countertop for hours each day? El Paso sees over 300 days of sunshine a year, so heavy UV exposure is a fact of daily life. We have several clients in Kern Place and the Upper Valley whose afternoon sun pours directly onto their kitchen counters.
Granite does not suffer from this problem. Natural stone can handle the sun and won't discolor or fade. If your kitchen gets a lot of direct sunlight, granite may be the better long-term investment because discoloration won't be an issue down the road.
The fix for the quartz issue is usually simple — choose window treatments, install UV-resistant glass, or place quartz countertops in areas that don't get direct sunlight. Some kitchens actually work best with quartz on shaded runs and granite where the sun hits hardest. We've been helping El Paso homeowners make these calls since 1985 as a family-run company with deep knowledge of countertop installation in this region.
Quartz generally wins on long-term upkeep, but every kitchen is different and your layout matters. For help figuring out which countertop option fits your situation and budget, call us at (915) 345-3774 or stop by our showroom on Gateway Blvd E.
Common questions from El Paso homeowners
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