The first step on the road to getting new countertops is picking the material.
There are a number of choices, but we’re going to focus on the big three: Granite, Quartz, and Marble. Each has its pros and cons, so the question is, “Which is right for you?”
GRANITE
What originally started the trend of granite countertops is their extreme durability.
You cannot scratch them with steel. You cannot burn them with anything in your home (it survives house fires!).
In addition to its toughness, most importantly, it looks beautiful.
A long-time knock on granite is that it requires sealing…or at least it used to. These days, a good number of granite fabricators offer customers a Lifetime Sealer (Granite Busters included).
Of the “Big 3” stones, granite is the lowest cost option, but can quickly climb in price based on how rare it is.
A good rule of thumb is the simple, speckled stones are the least expensive, while the wild, veiny stones are the most expensive.
Unless you are looking for mostly solid colors, granite offers a wide variety of design options.
QUARTZ
Quartz countertops have risen in popularity the past years because, as a man-made material, it is easy to control the color and design of the final product, so your possibilities are almost limitless.
You can order white, neon green, made to mimic other textures like marble and anything in between.
The drawback to making stone from crushed quartz crystals held together by glues and resins is that it is subject to damage not only by heat, but also scratching, so using cutting boards and trivets are a must.
Unlike granite which is a more porous material, quartz is stain resistant, assuming you get to those red wine, red sauce and coffee spills quickly.
Quartz is also an extremely strong stone that will last as long as your kitchen or bathroom, but you do pay roughly a $20 per square foot premium above granite for the color and design flexibility.
MARBLE
For thousands of years, some of the most iconic and beautiful buildings and statues have been made of marble, so it is in high demand.
It’s hard to argue with the unmistakable white and grey veining, but it is unfortunately not very practical.
Even “hard” marble is relatively soft, so it can be dented, can burn, is extremely porous and is very subject to etching.
Basically, any food or drink with a high concentration of acid will leave its mark – beer, wine, lemons, limes, vinegar and tomatoes are just a few of the biggest offenders.
So why would anybody choose marble?
Simply put, it’s beautiful and provides a timeless look.
Like quartz, marble is an additional $20 per square foot more than granite, but quickly skyrockets.
WHAT IS THE PERFECT COUNTER TOP?
You’ve probably guessed that there is no one answer for everyone.
Granite is the most practical.
Quartz offers a ton of design options.
Marble is stunning.
The only way to really know what is going to fit your project best is to talk to a professional granite fabricator or designer to dig even deeper so you’re happy with your investment for years to come.
As luck would have it, we can help:)