Materials Matter: Which Countertop Material Should You Select?

When choosing a countertop material, which material is Right for your project?

While there are a lot of options out there to choose from, how do you know which countertop material is best for you and your project? There’s natural stone, man-made surfaces, and even wood and concrete to name a few. With many options in design, color, durability, wear and tear, it’s no wonder that not all materials are equal or, are going to be the right fit for you. With Quartz, Marble, Quartzite, Porcelain, Granite, Concrete, Soapstone, Butcher Block, it’s no wonder that so many of us get turned around, heads spinning and confused in any attempt to make this one design decision, which has such a large impact in our spaces. So how do you select which option is best for you? Well, some of it depends on the usability of your space, and of course budget, maintenance, and what will work best for you and the design and the overall look you are going for. So let’s take a look below, at each of these material options to figure out if one of these could be right for you:

Cambria Surfaces: Skara-Brae

Quartz

While Quartz is one of the hardest minerals on earth, Quartz is actually very strong and abundant and many people believe it is “engineered” or “man-made”. But it is in fact a natural stone, which makes it a great choice for kitchen countertops. The amount of natural quartz in a material is dependent on the manufacturer you select. One of the main benefits of Quartz, is that it is extremely durable. Quartz countertops never have to be sealed, unlike marble or granite and other surfaces that require maintenance. There are many beautiful and diverse designs, colors, patterns. Quartz is also scratch resistant. But if placing a hot pan or pot on top of quartz, it can be damaged by this sudden change in temperature. So its best to always use a trivet or pot holder when putting high-temperature cooking items on your quartz countertop. Quartz is extremely hard and durable and essentially maintenance-free. Pricing is usually anywhere between $45 - $150 per square foot making this a great option for your design.

Athena Calderone

Marble

While marble is very beautiful, and glamorous, it is also heat-resistant. You still need to be very careful, as it is prone to scratching and staining agents like lemon juice, wine, tomato sauce, that can seep into the stone. Any sort of scratching from sharp kitchen utensils, knives, or scissors will also show. When this happens, it can be difficult to erase or undo. Right before installation, it is essential that a sealant is applied to help prevent these issues. Applying a sealer every six months will need to be done in order to help prevent any mishaps. This continual maintenance has been a roadblock for many who love the look of marble but don’t want the headache of dealing with the maintenance required to keep it up. Marble is also a soft stone. So scratching and etching will eventually show and is unavoidable, even if the marble is honed (a process that reduces the shine and polish of marble, resulting in a matte look). As stunning and glamorous as marble is, if you’re one to wipe and go, and love low maintenance, then you’ll probably want to skip this one. Prices range anywhere from $60 - $250 per square foot for slab of marble.

Granite: Black Mist

Granite

Granite is another mineral stone material made up of feldspar and quartz, which is what gives it the trademark speckled appearance. Granite can also have a mix of finishes from creamy white to deep black to speckled gray, blue and even salmon-y pink. Granite is considered a durable stone and acid-resistant. The density renders it less likely to scratch than softer stones such as marble and soapstone and is less likely to stain. However, granite is still prone to scratching and staining, though less so than marble, it still needs to be sealed and taken care of especially around acidic foods and beverages. One drawback of granite is that its hard to find something that is updated and modern and not so 1999-ish. It doesn’t mean that its not there, but you may have to hunt a little harder to find the right one. When selecting granite for your countertop, you’ll want to make sure you like the overall look and feel. With such a large piece of material in your home, you’ll want to make sure its something you really love. Some granites have a lot of movement, others less so and some have that splotchy look that granite has become synonymous with. So make sure that what you select is right for your aesthetic. Price range for granite can vary from $40 per square foot to well over $200 per square foot depending on origin and exotic nature of the slab.

Daltile: Quartzite Pegasus White

Quartzite

Quartzite is a hard metamorphic rock, derived from quartz sandstone compressed by intense heat and pressure over thousands of years. Harder than granite, and with the look of exotic marble, quartzite is the best of both worlds. It is considered strong and durable which ensures that it will have a long beautiful life free of scratches and stains. Quartzite has distinct veining and is stain, heat, scratch and etch resistant. Its strong and durable and is essentially maintenance-free. They have the look of exotic stones but are harder and perform better than granite. Quartzite is more resistant to stains, scratching, etching, cracking and other types of damage. They are an excellent alternative to marble because they have the look of some of the most exotic and beautiful marbles in the world, but quartzite essentially performs better and is more durable. Starting pricing is similar to that of marble and the more exotic the stone, the pricier it is.

Daltile: Calacatta Topaz

Porcelain

Porcelain slabs are a high-fired ceramic surface much like porcelain tile. Porcelain slabs use an ink-jet technology to mimick natural stone, wood and any look you can dream up. It is impervious to chemicals and scratch resistant. Porcelain is a solid surface material that is essentially maintenance-free and that are made to look like natural stone. They come in all different sizes, colors and designs. Once it is installed, they are highly durable. However, during the fabrication process, porcelain stone slab is very delicate and can chip/break easily if not handled carefully by an experienced fabricator. Pricing ranges from $10-$25 per square foot and are a good substitute compared to natural stone slabs if you are looking for something more budget friendly.

Pinterest: Concrete Countertop

Concrete

Concrete is a durable and rock-solid countertop option. They are made from one part cement to three parts sand and a general mortar mix used for the composition. Concrete countertops can have any color added to them. Concrete countertops will last you a lifetime if properly sealed and maintained. But it is porous and susceptible to bacterial growth and absorption of liquids, which is why it is super important that concrete is sealed upon installation. As long as you put a sealer on, concrete countertops are incredibly heat resistant. General price ranges for concrete are $65-$130 per square foot and will pretty much last for a long time if taken care of properly and sealed.

Graniterra: Soapstone

Soapstone

Soapstone is a non-porous material and is a great option for your countertops. Soapstone usually comes in shades of gray, black and greenish black and can have a milky look to it giving it a rustic feel. It is a soft material though and you can see scratches and dings, which means you’ll want to use a cutting board on your soapstone countertop. But there are a lot of beautiful veins in soapstone which can also help to hide the scratches and dings and will make them less noticeable. If you do see them, you’ll want to buff them out. If you’re looking for a natural warm surface material, Soapstone is a great option as it is also very warm and versatile. Mostly they are used in more traditional and modern spaces. But really it can be used anywhere. Soapstone is non-porous and won’t crack or tear and has a high usability rate. Soapstone is a great option for when you want that warmth and versatility. Pricing generally varies between $50 per square foot to $120 per square foot.

With so many countertop options to choose from, you’ll want to discuss any particulars with your designer, contractor and or countertop professional. Once you’ve identified the right material for you, then its time to decided on the color and design of your selection. Make sure also that you get to see the full size slab of the material you’ve selected and you’ll be off to a great start with your project.

For any additional questions on material options for your project, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We are always happy to help.

Gina and The Design Team