Countertop Material Options
Get to know your material before making a serious commitment. Find the best material for your application and style.
Quartz (aka Engineered Stone) If you’re looking for low-maintenance, this is the material for you. Durable and stain resistant, quartz will endure the test of time. Bonus: it does not need regular sealing. Quartz offers a uniform appearance unlike natural stones, which showcase individuality in color and veining.
Granite Granite is great for high traffic areas and will hold up nicely against heat and scratching. Offering an inherent uniqueness, no two granite slabs are alike and can differentiate any space in an expressive fashion. It’s important to know that granite should be periodically sealed to protect it from staining.
Marble A natural stone featuring timeless beauty, marble will lend a classic elegance to any space. Available in a vast variety of veining and coloration, marble is best for use in medium traffic areas. Marble can scratch or stain if not treated with care and should be routinely sealed to maintain the surface.
Quartzite is natural—and very different from engineered stone quartz products. Quartzite typically contains a variety of minerals including quartz. Depending on the remaining mineral content, it can display a stunning variety of colors and patterns. With its exotic marble-like appearance, Quartzite is gaining popularity every day. How durable is it? It depends on the mineral content. Many are stain and etch-resistant, but many can have calcium in them and can etch. Those that are called “soft quartzite” can be susceptible to etching or staining. Quartzite slabs generally require sealing.
Onyx is full of visual and tactile delights. Its translucence and variable honey-like colors make Onyx a fascinating material to live with. It's a nonporous stone made of calcite (very much like marble) that can be cut to a very smooth surface — and it transmits light! Onyx can be a bit sensitive, though. Because it will scratch or etch, like marble, Onyx is happiest in lower-activity areas, like the “non-industrial” (not stove, sink, or prep) counters in a kitchen, as backsplash, or on walls, as a vanity top or accents in bathrooms, or perhaps as a fancy formal bar surface. Onyx can be a very dramatic feature, especially when back-lit, but it definitely needs sealing and surface care.
Limestone A material with little veining, limestone offers soft simplicity with an added plus of heat resistance. Best for use in low traffic areas, limestone is soft and porous making it more susceptible to stains, dings, and scratches.
Soapstone Soapstone is a seemly and stunning choice for low traffic kitchens. It resists heat very well and will certainly create a charming ambience. Soapstone is non-porous, therefore a sealant is not required. To speed up the natural darkening process that happens over time, you can periodically apply mineral oil to your countertop and reapply when it lightens again. After repeated applications it will eventually darken permanently into a beautiful patina.
SatinStone You’re carefree … and care to stay that way. While most stone surfaces do require a level of maintenance, you’re not out of luck! SatinStone is a collection of slabs that have been permanently sealed and offer superior stain, scratch and heat resistance. If you prefer low maintenance but desire the alluring look of stone, make a date with SatinStone by clicking here.