Kitchen Counter Top Comparison

It's tough...

You have many options including granite, marble, quartz, solid surface, soapstone, stainless steel, ceramic, wood and laminate and...

Many Myths and marketing messages swirl around the internet often stretching or slanting the truth and presenting conflicting or confusing information.

This is especially true when comparing quartz Silestone vs. granite or Corian counter tops vs granite.

But don't worry... you're in luck.

You'll find below helpful information and links on the various kitchen counter top materials followed by unbiased, real world comparisons that will illuminate the pro's and con's and dispel the myths to help you decide which of the many surfaces is perfect for your project.

Counter Top Choices

Granite

Granite is the traditional favorite kitchen counter top material for its unique colors and patterns, proven durability and lasting value.

Granite is of course a natural stone that is heat, scratch and stain resistant and nearly impossible to damage with proper care and cleaning that is simple once you know how.

Granite is a good choice for any project inside or outside including walls and floors.

Marble, Travertine and Limestone

These are gorgeous stones prized for their elegant beauty. Hundreds of different color and pattern combinations are available.

Marble is softer and more porous than granite, which makes it more susceptible to stains and etching.

Etching is a reaction from alcohol, citrus, or other household products and chemicals that leave a clear, but noticeable mark on a polished surface.

You can eliminate this problem with a matte or honed surface, but staining is still an issue, which is why marble should not be used in the kitchen.

Travertine has qualities and characteristics similar to marble. Likewise, travertine is not recommended for use in the kitchen.

Limestone falls into the same category with marble and travertine. It is generally softer, more porous and more easily stained or damaged.

However, a few limestones are dense and hard enough to be used as a kitchen counter top. Check with your counter top fabricator.

Limestone, Travertine and Marble again are not the best choices for a kitchen counter top, but... these stones are perfect and elegant for counter tops that are not heavily used such as second or powder bathrooms, table tops, showers and floors for their excellent footing with a honed finish.

Engineered Quartz Stone

Engineered stone, or quartz counter tops are an excellent product manufactured from 93% quartz (which comes from granite) and a binding resin.

Quartz counter tops are very similar to granite, but marketing efforts confuse the issue.

For a complete head to head comparison go to Silestone vs. Granite

Several companies (Silestone, Cambria, Zodiaq, CaesarStone) offer basically the same product with colors and patterns that are somewhat limited compared to granite and marble.

Solid Surface

Corian is the most popular brand name for this type of countertop surface. Blending acrylic polymers with stone-derived materials makes for a durable surface.

It's basically rocks and plastic with some notable differences to other counter top materials.

This surface type resists stains pretty well, but it is rather easily scratched by knives or dented by pots and pans and it will be damaged by heat.

The good things are that stains and scratches can be sanded or buffed away, it can be installed without seams and sinks can be molded right into the surface as one piece.

Color choices are limited and conservative, but complimentary to most styles.

Go To Corian vs. Granite for a complete head to head comparison.

As noted above, many marketing myths surround the qualities of different kitchen counter top materials. Mainly, this concerns Corian(solid surface), Silestone(quartz) and granite.

To get the real story and in-depth comparisons go to:

Kitchen Counter Top Comparison -page 2