Pick the slab yourself off a real Austin floor. One crew templates, fabricates, and installs from start to finish.
ATX Granite King works with both granite and engineered quartz. You walk the slab floor in Austin, choose the exact piece you want, and the same crew handles the rest, template, cut, polish, and install.
Granite is a natural igneous stone. It’s hard, resists heat, and comes in unique patterns. Quartz is ground stone mixed with resin. It’s non-porous, needs no sealing, and has a consistent look. Neither is perfect for every job.
This page lays out the real differences so you can decide what matters for your kitchen or bath.
Granite is porous. In most cases, it needs sealing once a year to keep stains from soaking in. Quartz is non-porous and never needs sealing. If you skip sealing granite, liquids like wine or oil can leave permanent marks.
Granite handles hot pans straight from the stove. Quartz can scorch or discolor if a hot pot sits on it too long. Trivets are a must with quartz. With granite, you can usually set a hot pan down without worry.
Both materials can chip on the edges if hit hard. Granite is harder but can crack if the slab has natural weak points. Quartz is more flexible but can still chip if something heavy drops on a corner.
Granite is a natural stone formed from cooled magma. It’s mined in blocks, cut into slabs, and polished. Each slab is unique. The colors and patterns depend on the minerals in the stone. Granite is hard and durable, but it’s not indestructible. It can crack if the slab has natural fissures or if the install isn’t done right.
Quartz countertops are engineered. They’re made from ground stone mixed with resin and pigments. The resin binds the stone together and makes the surface non-porous. Because it’s manufactured, quartz comes in a wide range of colors and patterns, including some that mimic granite or marble. It’s consistent, but it’s not as heat tolerant as granite.
Both materials come in slabs about 120 inches long and 65 inches wide. The crew measures your space, templates the layout, and cuts the slab to fit. If your countertop is longer than the slab, seams will be needed. The crew tries to place seams where they’re least noticeable, like under a cabinet overhang or in a corner.
You start by walking the slab floor in Austin. There are 299 lots on the floor, so you can see the actual slab you’re buying. The crew doesn’t order a generic slab, you pick the exact piece. If you’re doing a rental or flip, the crew works with a partner to source a more budget-friendly slab without sacrificing quality.
Once you’ve picked the slab, the crew comes to your home to template. They measure the exact dimensions of your countertop, including cutouts for sinks, cooktops, and faucets. The template is used to cut the slab in the shop. The crew polishes the edges, drills the sink holes, and preps the slab for install.
On install day, the crew brings the slab to your home and sets it in place. They level the countertop, secure it to the cabinets, and seal the seams. The sink cutout and sink set are included in the work. The crew cleans up the site and leaves you with a finished countertop. They give you care instructions and a timeline for any follow-up sealing if you chose granite.
Granite is heat tolerant but needs sealing. If you cook a lot and don’t want to worry about trivets, granite is the better choice. But if you forget to seal it, stains can set in. Granite’s natural variation means no two slabs are alike. If you like a unique look, that’s a plus. If you want a uniform pattern, it’s a downside.
Quartz doesn’t need sealing and is more consistent in color and pattern. It’s a good choice if you want a low-maintenance countertop. But it can’t handle direct heat. A hot pan left on quartz can scorch the surface. Quartz is also not ideal for outdoor use because long UV exposure can cause fading or discoloration.
Both materials can chip or crack if hit hard. Granite is harder but can crack if the slab has natural weak points. Quartz is more flexible but can still chip on the edges. Seams are visible in both, but quartz seams can be more noticeable because the pattern is uniform. Granite’s natural variation helps seams blend in better.
Start by thinking about how you use your kitchen. If you cook often and want to set hot pans down without worry, granite is the better choice. If you want a low-maintenance countertop that doesn’t need sealing, quartz is the way to go. If you like a unique, natural look, granite wins. If you prefer a consistent, uniform appearance, quartz is the better fit.
Consider your budget. Granite and quartz can both be affordable or high-end, depending on the slab you choose. The crew can show you options at different price points. If you’re doing a rental or flip, they can source a more budget-friendly slab that still looks good and holds up to wear and tear.
Think about resale. Granite has been the standard for years, so it’s familiar to buyers. Quartz is gaining popularity, especially in modern homes. Both materials add value, but the right choice depends on the style of your home and the market in your area. The crew can give you a straight quote so you can compare the cost of both materials.
Call or email to set up a slab viewing. The crew will walk you through the floor in Austin so you can see the actual slabs in person. They’ll answer questions about the materials, the process, and what to expect. If you’re not sure which material to choose, they can help you compare the options side by side.
Once you’ve picked a slab, the crew comes to your home to template. They measure the space, note any special requirements, and give you a written quote with dates for fabrication and install. The quote includes everything: slab, fabrication, install, sink cutout, and sink set. There are no hidden fees.
The crew handles the entire job from start to finish. They cut the slab in their shop, polish the edges, and install it in your home. They clean up the site and leave you with a finished countertop. If you chose granite, they’ll give you instructions for sealing and maintenance. Call for a straight quote to get started.
$38 per square foot, cut, measure, and install included. Jobs over 1,000 square feet: $30 per square foot.
Sink cutout and sink set are included in the fabrication work. Non standard work is still quoted before work begins. Send the rough square footage and the rooms involved, or call (512) 297-7493 for a straight quote.
Both are durable, but in different ways. Granite is harder and more heat tolerant, but it can crack if the slab has natural weak points. Quartz is more flexible and non-porous, but it can scorch from direct heat. Neither is indestructible, both can chip if hit hard on the edges.
Some quartz slabs look very natural, especially those designed to mimic granite or marble. Others have a more uniform, manufactured appearance. It depends on the slab you choose. The crew can show you options that look natural and options that don’t.
Quartz is not ideal for outdoor use. Long exposure to UV light can cause fading or discoloration. Granite is a better choice for outdoor kitchens or bars because it’s more resistant to the elements.
Seams are visible in both materials, but quartz seams can be more noticeable because the pattern is uniform. Granite’s natural variation helps seams blend in better. The crew does their best to place seams where they’re least visible, like under a cabinet overhang or in a corner.
The biggest downside is that granite needs sealing. If you skip sealing, liquids like wine or oil can soak in and leave permanent stains. Granite is also more prone to cracking if the slab has natural fissures or if the install isn’t done properly.
Tell us the rooms, the rough square footage and what you have in mind for granite vs quartz countertops. You get a number for the whole job, in writing, before anyone cuts anything.