With the easy access to the internet and vast availability of information, you may already know exactly what material you want to use for your new countertops. However, our experience shows that most customers refer to any stone countertop as granite (since it was the most popular material used in the past 10-15 years), or quartz (as this is the newest go-to option). There are a few different stone options to choose from and there are also very distinctive differences between them. Here is a short summary:
GRANITE – one of the most durable natural materials available on the market. Easy to maintain, cost efficient and widely accessible. Not as popular amongst homeowners anymore, due to the colors and patterns it offers (mainly dark hues, tends to have speckles, heavy patterns and lots of movement).
MARBLE – timeless, natural material, very popular and commonly used in bathrooms and for fireplace surrounds. Offers a variety of colors and patterns, mainly in light hues and with some veining throughout. It does require proper maintenance and care, as it is a much softer material (especially in comparison to granite) and could be prone to etching and/or staining. For this reason, many homeowners shy away from using it in heavy traffic areas (such as kitchens). Every client is different though, so if you are considering marble, don’t hesitate to ask about it.
QUARTZITE – this type of a natural material combines the durability of granite with the beauty of marble. It offers a variety of colors (both light and dark), and patterns, while its beauty of a natural stone is unsurpassed, and is a perfect type of stone for most applications. Using quartzite for your new countertops will certainly help in achieving the “wow effect” if this is something you are trying to accomplish.
QUARTZ – not to be confused with the quartzite, this type of a stone is a manmade material and currently one of the most popular ones on the market. It offers a wide scheme of colors (from darkest blacks and greys, through concrete looks, all the way to white with light or dark veining), is easy to maintain, and very durable. Because it is manmade, it also offers consistency in its design, meaning there is very little differentiation between slabs (unlike with natural stones). One thing we always highlight is the importance of the quality of quartz you choose to work with (yes, not every quartz is made equal), so do not hesitate to ask us about the difference.
These are the main categories of stone; however, there are a few different options currently available on the market (for example porcelain slabs), and we will be happy to share our knowledge with you when we meet.
