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.
Best stone to use for countertops.
The chart below compares the main characteristics of the most popular countertop materials in the market today.
Each surface material ranges in price some being more dramatic than others.
It has seen a recent resurgence as an alternative to granite.
These include granite marble quartzite soapstone porcelain butcher block quartz solid surface and laminate.
Marble soapstone and jerusalem stone are just some of the natural stones used for kitchen countertops.
Granite has long been the premier choice of designers and builders for countertops due to both its beauty and durability.
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.
Put simply there is no better natural stone option for a countertop.
Available in a wide range of colors and patterns quartz typically ranks close in popularity to the perennial top choice.
The best countertop materials get beyond the brand names and your countertop options really just come down to a handful of materials.
Along with granite quartzite is one of the more heat and scratch resistant natural stones.
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.
It comes in vibrant colors in addition to patterns that look.
Here s a look at seven of the most popular.
Soapstone is another natural stone usually dark gray in color with a smooth silky feel.