Countertop Comparison Chart

What Material is Best for You?

The chart below compares the main characteristics of the most popular countertop materials in today’s market, including granite, marble, quartzite, soapstone, porcelain, and engineered quartz.

Price: The price range for each surface will vary, with some being more dramatic than others. Find out which countertops are the most affordable and which are the most expensive.

Durability: There are a few factors to consider when discussing the durability of a kitchen countertop: heat resistance, scratch resistance, and chemical resistance. How a surface is impacted by these factors will determine how it will perform in your kitchen.

Care & Maintenance: Each surface has different care and maintenance requirements. Consider how your kitchen will be used. Will you be cooking regularly? Do you envision your kitchen as a gathering place or are you looking for a work surface? These things will help determine how much these care and maintenance requirements factor into your decision.

Construction: Natural stone has an allure to many homeowners since every piece is a work of art crafted by mother nature. It also provides a connection to nature not available from engineered surfaces. Others prefer the predictability of manmade materials, but it is important to know what these materials are made of.

Heat Resistance: What happens if you take a hot baking sheet out of the oven and set in on your countertop? Some surfaces are susceptible to scorching or even melting. You will also want to know what might happen with prolonged exposure to lower temperatures, such as the use of a Crockpot.

Scratch Resistance: Many popular countertop surfaces are very resistant to scratches. However, softer materials will inevitably get scratched from time to time. Some can be repaired and others cannot.

Availability: Is this countertop surface available from numerous manufacturers/distributors in many colors and patterns? Some have very limited availability which often drives up the price.

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There are many factors to consider when choosing a kitchen countertop surface. If granite has made it to the top of your list, read through the article below to determine if its advantages and disadvantages make it a good choice for your kitchen.  

• Sustainability. Did you know that a single quarry site can provide stone for thousands of commercial and residential projects over several centuries of time? Granite is also very near complete as a countertop material in its natural state. Once quarried, minimal processing is required to prepare it for your kitchen. In comparison, engineered materials have a complicated production process which often includes toxic chemicals and harmful emissions into the atmosphere.
• Heat Resistance. Granite countertops will not melt or blister when exposed to heat. They are one of the most heat resistant countertops on the market. Hot pans can be placed directly on the countertop surface from the oven without any harm. Experts do recommend the use of a trivet when using appliances that emit heat for long periods of time, such as Crockpots.
• Scratch Resistance. Granite scores a 7 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness. This means that very few minerals can scratch it. While you can cut on granite, this isn’t recommended—doing so will dull your knives and can sometimes leave behind a metal residue that can be difficult to remove.
• Seams. In a typical kitchen, granite countertops will need to have 2-3 seams. Depending on the color of granite you choose, average slab size will vary. A typical expectation can be set at 9 feet x 5 feet. Large islands can typically be done without seams. If you have an L or U-shaped layout, expect seams where the countertops angle in a different direction. The good news is that many fabricators will mix custom color epoxy to adhere the seams together which does a great job at disguising them. Expect the seam to be around 1/8” thick.
• Undermount Sinks. Undermount sinks are common in granite countertop installations. This allows crumbs and spills to be wiped directly into the sink without being caught on the lip of a surface mount sink. You can consider using several types of sinks including cast iron, stainless steel, or solid surface. Fabricators will cut and polish the sink hole to match the shape of your chosen sink.
• Backsplash Options. Coved backsplashes that are common in laminate countertops are not available with granite. Typically, a separate 4” piece of the stone slab will be adhered on top of your countertop surface. Tile and full-height granite backsplashes are also used.
• Repairs. Granite countertops should be repaired by a professional. It is rare to get a crack or chip in your countertops, but if you do, call the fabricator who installed your countertops to schedule a service call. Most of the time, a color matched epoxy can be used to fill the void and it will be virtually invisible. Superglue can be used in a pinch to fill chips. If you use heavy cast iron pans, be careful when placing them into your undermounted sink. The edge of these cutouts is the most common place to get chips. A more likely scenario, though, is to experience an increased number of broken dishes.
• Sealing. Granite is a porous material—but this is not necessarily a bad thing. If liquids are left on the surface for long periods of time, they will eventually absorb. But just like they absorb, they will also evaporate. Depending on what the substance is that needs to be removed, you can apply different poultices to speed the process along. However, many will evaporate on their own without the use of chemicals or cleaning products. Most fabricators will apply a sealer to granite countertops before they are installed, which will protect them from absorbing liquids too quickly.
• Maintenance. Granite countertops are considered a low maintenance countertop surface. The likelihood of needing to be repaired or resurfaced is low. Technology for sealers has come a long way over the years, and many will last over 10 years before needing to be reapplied. When they do need to be reapplied, it is something that most homeowners can do on their own: simply apply the product and wipe off the excess. It is a good idea to ask your installer which sealer was initially applied and use the same kind to reapply.
• Price. The average price for granite countertops in a typical kitchen is between $3,000-$4,000. Variables include edge profiles, total square footage, and backsplashes. Don’t be fooled by the stereotype that all granite is expensive. Lower-range granites will cost less than high-range laminate. Though granite countertops are not considered ‘low range’ in pricing, there are a lot of affordable options that will start at around $35-$55 per square foot. Do be careful when comparing pricing between different companies. Make sure you are comparing apples to apples. Your final quote should include material, fabrication, and installation.
• Exotic Options. If you are looking for something truly unique, consider an exotic granite. As with most things in life, price is determined by supply and demand. Some quarries are not easily accessible or can only be quarried for short periods of time throughout the year. If these circumstances exist in a quarry with unique stone, the price will be driven upward. Some granites reach over $400 per square foot.
• Colors Available. With all natural stones, including granite, we are limited to the colors and patterns mother nature produces. You won’t find a lot of solid patterns or bright colors, but both do exist. Also, watch for a large range of color and pattern within the same color of stone. It’s always a good idea to view the exact slab(s) that will be fabricated for your kitchen to make sure they are what you expected to see from the sample. Another factor is that many exotic granites have huge flowing waves, and a small sample will not be a good representation of the whole slab.
• Stain Resistance. In general, darker granites are very dense and sometimes don’t even require a sealer. Lighter granites are more porous and sometimes require multiple coats of sealer to be considered stain resistant. Either way, if properly treated, granite is a stain resistant countertop surface.
• Genuine Natural Material. Eliminating, or at least reducing, our exposure to chemicals and additives has proven beneficial to our health. Genuine natural stone including granite, marble, soapstone, and others, are the “natural choice” for countertop surfaces. They are quarried from the earth in their natural state and sliced into slabs for use in your home. Though engineered quartz surface materials may claim they are also natural, the reality is that they are mostly styrene and polyester resin, with a small percentage of crushed natural quartz.
• Resistance to Chemicals. Granite countertops are very resistant to chemicals. Acids and bases will not harm the material. Do be careful of repeated use, though, as some chemicals will wash away the sealer over time, causing the need for re-sealing before the recommended time.

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Marble is a popular countertop surface that has been trending for years. While granite scores better than marble when comparing performance characteristics in a kitchen environment, many people choose marble due to its aesthetic appeal and subtle veining.

Granite and marble are made of different minerals that perform differently in regards to chemical resistance and hardness. Marble will scratch more easily than granite because it is a softer stone. It will also etch more easily when exposed to acids and bases. Sealing will not prevent etching.

If you use marble in your kitchen, it is important to first understand its nuances. It will not look the same 10 years from now as it did the day it was first installed. As you use the surface, it will acquire scratches and finish variations. This evolution is called a patina, and many consider it a thing of beauty. Some homeowners opt to regularly resurface their marble countertops to restore their original luster. Another option is to choose a honed finish instead of polished. This will reduce the visibility of surface imperfections and allow your countertop to age gracefully.

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Quartzite is a highly-prized natural stone, not to be confused with engineered quartz surfacing. It resembles marble, with soft veining and cool color tones which are on point with today’s white, grey, and smoky blue color trends. It is also a strong performer in a kitchen environment. Granite and quartzite have very similar performance statistics; both are resistant to heat, chemicals, and scratches.

Because quartzite is a fairly new stone on the market that often resembles marble, there have been some instances of mislabeling. This can create issues after installation due to different care and maintenance needs for the two materials. Be sure to talk to your stone provider to ensure that the stone you choose is truly quartzite.

Supply and demand have increased the price of quartzite in some markets, so expect to pay a little more and have fewer color options than with granite. The fabrication process is more complex for quartzite, so if you are eager for a quick installation, be sure to talk to your fabricator about estimated lead times.

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Soapstone is much softer than other popular countertop materials, including granite, marble, and engineered quartz.  Because of this, it has appeal for savvy DIY homeowners who have ambitions of fabricating their own kitchen surfaces.

Unlike most other natural stones, soapstone is nonporous and does not need to be sealed. Untreated, soapstone is a chalky grey with subtle undertones; some varieties have striking white veining while others are more solid. Many designers prefer to enhance the color and veining by applying mineral oil or wax. Others prefer to keep the natural look which will patina overtime and be more vibrant with age.

Like granite, soapstone is highly resistant to acids and bases so there is no need to worry about etching. Because it is soft, it is likely to get scratches and dings over the years. These can be buffed out easily or left to add personality to your space.  

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­Porcelain is one of the newest surfaces in the countertop market. Also known as ‘ultra compact’ or ‘sintered stone,’ some brand names include Dekton and Neolith. At first glance this surface seems to have it all. It is heat resistant, scratch resistant, chemical resistant, UV resistant, and nonporous. Though the color selection is far from extensive, many options exist that attempt to mimic the veining and beauty of marble.

Porcelain surfacing is not without issue. It is not full-bodied, so if you do scratch it, you may not have options for repair. It is thin, typically ½” thick, which means the edges will need to be mitered for it to look pleasing as a kitchen countertop. This increases labor costs. Porcelain is not yet widely available, so you may need to do some searching to find a local installer. It is also at the high end of the countertop price range.

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