“What type of countertop should we get?” is one of the most frequently asked questions we get, so we put together this guide to help you choose. A countertop can be made of many different materials. Below we outline some of the most popular materials that can be used for a countertop and some of the features of each material. Hopefully this will serve as a helpful guide when trying to determine which countertop material is right for you.
Quartz (Engineered Stone)
- 7 on Mohs Hardness Scale
- Manmade typically consisting of 93% natural quartz + 7% resin and pigment.
- Scratch resistant
- Strong and durable
- Maintenance free; never needs sealing
- Many colors and patterns
- Non-porous; stain and bacterial resistant
- Typical costs range from $50-$120/sf installed
Granite
- Natural stone mined from the earth
- Unique color, pattern and veining
- Strong and durable
- Impact and scratch resistant
- Should be sealed periodically due to a porous surface
- Typical costs range from $35-$100 sf installed
Quartzite
- 7 on the Mohs Hardness scale
- Usually lighter in color than granite
- Heat resistant
- Natural metamorphic stone
- Often looks like marble but is not susceptible to scratching, etching or chipping
- Should be sealed due to a porous surface
- Typical costs range from $60-over $100/sf installed
Solid Surface
- 3-4 on Mohs Hardness Scale
- Manufactured with natural mineral and 100% acrylic composition
- Stain and heat resistant
- Non-porous
- Inconspicuous seams
- Many colors and patterns
- 100% Renewable
- Integral sink option
- Versatile applications
- Typical costs range from $35-$70/sf installed
Concrete
- Heat resistant
- Can DIY
- Should be sealed due to a porous surface
- May patina over time
- Can be customized with shape, color, texture, or embedding objects in the material
- Costs range from $65-$135/sf
Laminate
- Made from layers of bonded plastic
- non-porous
- budget-friendly
- DIY friendly
- Many colors and patterns
- Typical costs range from $29-$35/sf
Wood
- natural and sustainable
- limited options
- high maintenance
- Naturally anti-bacterial
- porous
- DIY friendly
- renewable so easy to repair
- Typical costs range from $35-$70/sf installed (more for exotic woods)
Marble
- 4 on Mohs Hardness Scale
- natural stone
- porous, high maintenance
- scratches, etches, stains and chips easily
- heat resistant
- Typical costs range from $50-$250/sf
Other options
- Porcelain slab
- Porcelain, ceramic, or natural Tile
- Soapstone
- Composite
- Cultured Stone
- Stainless Steel
- Recycled Glass
Choosing a countertop is a big investment and should be carefully thought about. Consider not only the appearance but also how you will use them and how much maintenance you’re willing to commit to. Sometimes implementing two different types of counters makes sense, such as butcher block for a small section to use for chopping.
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