The best countertop materials get beyond the brand names and your countertop options really just come down to a handful of materials.
Best stone to use for countertops.
Put simply there is no better natural stone option for a countertop.
It s often referred to as engineered quartz or engineered stone in reference to the sealing process.
Hot pots serrated knives abrasive pads and most stains were no match for quartz which is a combination of mineral color and resin.
The chart below compares the main characteristics of the most popular countertop materials in the market today.
It has seen a recent resurgence as an alternative to granite.
Along with granite quartzite is one of the more heat and scratch resistant natural stones.
Here s a look at seven of the most popular.
It comes in vibrant colors in addition to patterns that look.
Available in a wide range of colors and patterns quartz typically ranks close in popularity to the perennial top choice.
Soapstone is another natural stone usually dark gray in color with a smooth silky feel.
Granite has long been the premier choice of designers and builders for countertops due to both its beauty and durability.
Once found almost exclusively in high end homes due to its cost granite has become increasingly more common as the go to stone for countertops.
Practically maintenance free engineered quartz countertops are stain acid scratch heat and impact resistant and thanks to their non porous surface don t need to be sealed like natural stone countertops.
Bakers love to knead dough on cold marble but designers recommend it be used sparingly as a countertop material because it s soft stains easily and chips.
Marble soapstone and jerusalem stone are just some of the natural stones used for kitchen countertops.