How to Choose Your Countertop Stone – Pros and Cons of Stone Types

A lot goes into the selection of your countertops, and it’s not all about the way the countertops look. Each material performs in its own way. As a consumer, it’s important to know the various materials inside and out, so you can choose the material that suits your needs. In this post, we’ll review three of the top-selling countertop types: granite, marble and quartz. With this information, you can decide what kind of countertop is (and isn’t) right for you.

Granite

Granite was the most coveted stone countertop material for years. Its natural beauty and durability come together to create a long-lasting, elegant countertop material for modern kitchens.

Pros

Lifetime investment – Granite lasts for decades, with proper maintenance.
Color and patterns – Granite comes available in almost any color you might want, though the most common counters are available in neutral colors like gray, black and brown.
Limited maintenance – Maintain your granite by wiping it down with a damp dishrag; reseal it occasionally to improve its water resistance.

Cons

Porous – Granite is naturally absorbent and can stain if not properly sealed.
Lack of uniformity – Because granite is a natural stone, there may be a lack of uniformity in the patterns, especially from one slab to another.
Limited slab size – Longer counters may need to be made up of multiple combined slabs, leaving a seam between slabs.

Marble

Marble has long been associated with wealth and beauty. Often seen in pristine shades of white and gray, marble has a luminescence that some homeowners are drawn to. This is a stone for homeowners seeking a particular aesthetic that you can only find in marble.

Pros

Longevity – Properly maintained marble can last for decades, just like granite.
Beauty – Marble is most commonly available in shades of white and gray that match modern kitchens and bathrooms perfectly.
Value – Marble is associated with wealth and can be very impressive to home buyers, which could translate to a higher resale value when the time comes to sell your home.

Cons

Soft – Unlike granite and quartz, marble is easily etched and scratched.
Iron deposits – Some marble contains iron deposits and can turn yellow or brown with time when exposed to water; proper sealing can protect it.
Maintenance – Marble requires regular sealing to prevent staining and other types of damage.

Quartz

Quartz has replaced granite as the most desirable countertop material found in modern homes! It’s long-lasting and even lower maintenance than granite.

Pros

Low-maintenance – Quartz is a man-made countertop material that is non-porous, so it doesn’t stain or require sealing.
Variety of color – Because it’s man-made, quartz is available in nearly all colors and patterns, and can be made to look like marble or granite if desired.
Uniformity – Quartz is made to be uniform, with consistent colors and patterns.

Cons

Cost – Quartz can be one of the more costly types of materials. Work with your stone dealer/installer to explore options and find a product that fits your budget.
Seams still visible – Although quartz is man-made, larger slabs may still have a seam between slabs.
It’s not natural stone – If you’re seeking a totally natural countertop stone, explore marble or granite options.