Choosing Countertop Materials

Whether you’re looking to renovate your kitchen or bathroom, or you’re starting a new project from the ground up, choosing the right countertop material for the project is crucial. The surface you choose will have an impact on the budget of the project, it will affect function and durability of the space, the look and feel, and the material will determine the amount of maintenance and care involved. Understanding the product differences will help you make the right choice. It’s always advised to work alongside a slab dealer who is reputable and prides themselves in quality, professionalism, and expertise in their respective field. Unfortunately, there are slab dealers who mislabel materials and give them made up names such as “Granzite” just to sell it, leaving the buyer overspending on a material they know nothing about. I took a trip to my local Arizona Tile and spoke with the team there to bring you this guide. I hope this helps you understand the differences so you can make the best purchase for your project.

Granite

Granite is a product of nature, therefore no two granite slabs or products are alike and they vary in appearance within the same color. Granite comes in an almost endless possibility of colors. Granite is one of the hardest, most durable, and most heat resistant surfaces available. It is perfectly suited for both indoor and outdoor environments. To care for granite use trivets to protect it from hot pots and pans, have it properly sealed, and wipe clean using a pH-neutral cleaner or warm water.

Quartz

Quartz slabs are manmade from crushed quartz in various sizes, mixed with pigments and resin to bind the material together. Quartz is manufactured in a wide range of colors and is very consistent from slab to slab. Quartz is more prone to damage from heat and harsh cleaners. To care for quartz trivets should always be used, quartz in non-porous and highly resistant to staining, most quartz products do not need sealing. The ideal cleaner is a soft cloth using gentle soap and water, denatured alcohol, or a pH-neutral cleaner.

Quartzite

Not to be confused with quartz, quartzite is formed by nature over many, many years, so each slab is truly individual. Quartzite varies in appearance within the same color, depending on where and when it was mined, and can be found in a wide range of colors. Quartzite is one of the hardest surfaces available and is more heat resistant than any other surface. To care for quartzite, use trivets, it is recommended that a sealer be applied after installation, to clean wipe with a pH-neutral cleaner or warm water.

Marble

Marble is formed by nature, over millions of years, therefore no two marble slabs are alike. Marble is most commonly known for its white color tones, but is also available in warm rich hues including taupe, blue, brown, gray and black. The veining in marble can be intense and dramatic or soft and muted depending on the stone and region. Marble is a hard, durable stone that will last a long time with proper maintenance. Some marbles may be susceptible to scratching or abrasion. Marble is one of the most heat resistant products for countertops, but can be damaged by extreme heat exposure. To care for granite use coasters or trivets, it is recommended that a sealer be applied soon after installation and re-sealed every six months. Clean using a pH-neutral cleaner or warm water.

A final note: not all slab dealers do the fabrication and installation of countertops so be sure to use a fabrication and install company that comes highly recommended.