If you’re looking into remodeling your kitchen, you’ve probably come across the debate about which countertop to choose. We’re going to break down the pros and cons of each of these materials here so that you can make a more informed decision!
Granite – the long-time fave
- The Goldilocks in terms of strength
- Because it’s so durable, granite can be used as a cutting board but be careful – it’ll dull your knives before it shows any wear!
- Porous and can potentially be stained
- Needs to be sealed at installation and every year or two afterwards
- Every slab is unique because it’s a natural material
- Can be the middle-ground in price point
- Many folks feel comfortable putting a hot pot on this material but we recommend always using a trivet because the extreme temperature difference can cause it to fracture
Marble – traditional luxury
- The softest material of the 3
- Porous and can potentially be stained, especially with acidic liquids like wine
- Needs to be sealed at installation and every year or two afterwards
- Every slab is unique because it’s a natural material
- Generally the most expensive
- You *can* put hot pots on this stone but be careful not to scorch and discolor it
Quartz – the new kid on the block
- The strongest of these materials
- Non-porous and unlikely to stain
- Doesn’t need to be sealed
- This is an ‘engineered’ stone and slabs can look similar to each other without that natural uniqueness of the other stones
- Can be the least expensive
- You cannot put hot pots on this stone because it will scorch due to the resin used to bind the Quartz together
As you can see, there are pros and cons to each material. Choosing the right one for your home comes down to your lifestyle, design and budget needs!
Have further questions about which to choose? Send them our way and we can do our best to answer them for you!
