Your Countertop Questions Answered

One of the questions we get most often is, “How do I choose a countertop slab?” There are dozens of patterns, colors, and textures to suit every design style, but the most essential aspect to consider is the material. With the multitude of options available, it is important to be realistic about the use of the space and how your lifestyle is going to impact your countertops. We have put together a simple guide on the most popular countertop options to help you determine the material that is best for you.

QUARTZITE 

Quartzite is one of the most durable and versatile countertop materials. It is very resistant to heat damage, scratching, acid-etching, and staining, which makes it a great choice for busy families or the ultimate party hosts. It also materializes in an impressive range of colors and patterns, often containing a unique crystalline appearance that is truly eye-catching. If you love the look of natural stone countertops but want a lower maintenance option, quartzite is the slab for you. It does require regular cleaning with a mild natural stone-safe cleaner and experts recommend you have it professionally sealed at least once a year, more if you put it to hard use.

Quartz

Quartz slabs have exploded in popularity over the last few years and for good reason. Quartz slabs are made from the combination of crushed natural stone particles, most often quartz crystals, pigmented, bound, and compacted into a solid sheet. While the natural stone used varies between manufacturers, quartz is usually considered an environmentally-friendly material because many of its components are bi-products of other building materials and greatly reduces waste. The color and pattern options are endless, but quartz’s biggest criticism is that most people can tell that it is not a “natural stone”. Quartz is a great option for people who are hard on their countertops, because it holds up very well against stains, etching, scratches, and requires next to no maintenance, only cleaning with an ammonia-free cleaner as needed. Just be careful! Quartz is not very heat resistant, so don’t go leaving hot pans or your AIRFRYER on the countertop without taking the steps to protect it first.

Granite

Granite has been a staple countertop material since the beginning of time because of its incredible durability, availability, and affordability. Most granite can withstand temperatures north of 2000° F, is very acid, stain, crack, and scratch resistant and only requires annual sealant to keep it looking its best. The biggest drawback is that in the last 20 years, design trends have pulled away from most of the colors and patterns in which granite occurs, so it can be perceived as outdated. While there are a few granites that we love, overall it is hard to find a “current” pattern at the slab yard. Therefore we highly recommend granite slabs for a rental property or vacation home that is going to see a lot of traffic but where you may not want to spend a higher sum like you would in your main everyday kitchen. It can also be a great material for workplaces where a subtle design and high function are the most important features of the countertops.

Porcelain

Porcelain slabs for countertops have only made a breakthrough in the last 15 years due to a huge increase in design options and desire for affordable building materials. Previously, they were most used for outdoor areas like pool decks and garden paths. Porcelain is extremely durable and comes in every pattern, color and texture you could want. It also does not require annual sealant which is an advantage to natural stone slabs. While the material itself is typically significantly less expensive than our other options, the fabrication and installation of porcelain slabs for countertops is just as expensive (if not more) than any other slab. Porcelain slabs are typically thinner than a standard countertop slab, ranging from 1.2-2 cm thickness, where quartz and other natural stone slabs are usually to 2-3cm. This makes the installation a bit tougher and also means the installer is required to use some tricks to make the edges appear thicker. They are excellent for outdoor use like built-in barbeques and pool bars, affordable office kitchens or bathrooms, and fireplace cladding, but we would not recommend porcelain slab for your main kitchen or bathroom.

Limestone

Limestone is a natural stone found all over the world and has been used in Europe or centuries. Think about all of the steps you may have walked on in Italy, France, England and
other countries. The style can range from very traditional to ultra modern, contain white, gold or blue/gray tones, and comes in matte, polished or leathered finish. Some pieces may even contain fossils or ancient imprints. While we love this products versatility in style, it may not be suited for every application. It is one of the softest countertop stones, so it will wear slowly, over time and can sometimes crack with movement and foundation shifts. Limestone has a tendency to stain and etch when it comes in contact with any acidic liquid like lemons, astringent personal care products, harsh cleaning solutions, and vinegar. If you decide on limestone countertops, be diligent about sealing it every 6 to 12 months to maintain its color and finish and only clean with gentile specialty cleaning products. If you're like us, you may appreciate its natural, sometimes rustic, aesthetic and learn to love the character that develops as your countertop ages and distresses (the more texture the better!), but if you are a perfectionist, this is probably not the stone for you.

Marble

Marble has the most versatile patterns than any of the natural stone slabs we have discussed in this blog, and for that reason, we absolutely love it. You can find a marble to fit any style or color and its prices range widely from slab to slab. While the aesthetic range of marble makes it dreamy, with that comes a durability range that can be nightmarish. Some marbles can be hard and durable, like quartzite, but there are also many that are much softer and are very susceptible to acid-etching, stains, scratching, and chipping even with the most diligent of homeowners. While we recommend marble to many of our clients, it is absolutely essential to discuss the specific slabs you are considering with your installer or slab professional to determine if it is a slab you should realistically use in your space. If you are the kind of person who waits a day or two to clean up spills, marble is probably not the right choice for you. If you find that the visual impact of a stunning marble slab is essential to you, we highly encourage you to embrace the idea that your marble is a natural material and will age or patina over time which can be beautiful in itself.