Countertop materials compared

The materials at a glance

Most kitchen and bathroom counters are one of eight materials. The table compares them on what decides how a counter lives day to day. Hardness is on the Mohs scale, where 10 is diamond and a steel knife blade is about 5.5; anything harder than the blade resists knife scratches.

Hardness figures are for the main mineral in each stone. A natural stone is a mix of minerals, so two granites can behave a little differently. Treat the table as a guide to how a family of stones behaves, then ask about the exact piece.

Natural stone: granite, quartzite, dolomite and marble

Natural stone is quarried in blocks, sawn into slabs and polished. No two slabs are the same, which is most of the appeal: the pattern you buy is the pattern nature made.

• Granite formed from cooling magma. It is hard, holds up to heat and comes in hundreds of colors and patterns, from solid black to flowing white. It is the most common natural stone counter. See granite vs quartz.
• Quartzite started as sandstone and was recrystallized by heat and pressure. It is about as hard as engineered quartz and often has a white, marble-like look. Some stones sold as quartzite are really marble or dolomite, so ask for a scratch test on glass.
• Dolomite is close to marble in look and chemistry but a little harder and a little less reactive to acids. It is a popular way to get a white, veined counter for less than quartzite. See dolomite, quartzite and marble compared.
• Marble is soft and reacts with acids, so lemon juice, vinegar and wine can leave dull marks called etches. Many people accept that as patina; others want a stone that stays polished.

Engineered quartz

Engineered quartz is made in a factory from crushed quartz, often around 90% of the slab, mixed with polymer resin and pigment, pressed into slabs and cured. Because it is not porous, it never needs sealing and it resists stains well. Patterns are consistent from slab to slab, which helps when a kitchen needs more than one piece.

The resin is the weak spot. A hot pan can scorch or discolor it, and many quartz products are not rated for outdoor use because sunlight can fade the resin. Check the maker’s care and warranty terms for the exact product.

Laminate, solid surface and wood

Laminate is the least expensive counter and comes in many patterns, including stone looks. It scratches and can be ruined by a hot pan, and a damaged section usually cannot be repaired. Solid surface is seamless and repairable, with sinks that can be molded in, but it scratches and scorches more easily than stone. Butcher block is warm and easy to sand, and needs regular oiling and care around water.

How to choose

• If you cook hard and set hot pans down without thinking, lean toward granite or quartzite.
• If you want the least upkeep and a uniform look, lean toward engineered quartz and keep trivets handy.
• If you want a soft white, veined look and can live with some wear, look at dolomite or marble.
• If budget leads, compare a prefab stone piece with laminate before you decide. Prefab stone often costs less than people expect.
• For a bathroom vanity, almost any stone works, because a vanity sees little heat and few acids. See bathroom vanity tops.

Whatever you choose, see the actual piece before you buy. Photos can’t show how a stone looks under your kitchen light. Our inventory shows every color we stock, and you can walk in to see the pieces at the warehouse.