When it comes time to renovate their kitchen or bathroom, many homeowners know they want natural stone countertops. But deciding on which type of natural stone countertop to install? That’s a bit trickier!
There are a wide variety of natural stone countertop materials available on the market—and choosing the right type for your family really comes down to understanding your budget and opting for the type of stone that makes the most sense for your family’s lifestyle.
Not sure where to get started? Here are a few of the most popular types of natural stone countertops to help get your creative wheels spinning.
Popular Natural Stone Countertop Materials
Granite Countertops
Of all the natural stone countertop types, granite is perhaps the most popular, most common, and most versatile. Granite counters have long been seen as a mark of luxury in a home—and yet, they’re astoundingly durable and much more affordable than many people assume.
Granite counters are known for being very tough, resistant to cracking, and heat resistant. However, it should be considered that granite is a naturally porous stone—which means you’ll need to stay on top of your countertop sealing regiment in order to prevent staining or discoloration over time.
Marble Countertops
Similarly known for their luxurious aesthetic, marble countertops can add an extra dimension of elegance to any space. Like granite, marble is quite hard and relatively heat resistant.
The biggest difference between marble countertops and granite countertops is that marble can be much more susceptible to staining and discoloration. Especially when dealing with lighter tones of marble, it’s crucial to keep countertops properly sealed and to clean up spills ASAP.
Marble countertops are typically also the more expensive option. This makes marble a great luxury option, but potentially less ideal for homeowners on a budget or for young families who may deal with spills more frequently.
Quartz Countertops
Like granite and marble, quartz is a naturally occurring stone. However, unlike granite and marble countertops, quartz isn’t mined as a full slab. Rather, quartz is ground into a powder and then engineered into large countertop slabs.
Translation? Your countertop won’t be made of a literal rough chunk of quartz—but it will be much less porous, highly resistant to stains and discoloration, and extremely durable.
Another benefit of quartz countertops is that, due to their engineered nature, quartz countertops provide more flexibility in terms of choosing different colors, patterns, etc.
Thinking of Installing Natural Stone Countertops in WV, VA, or MD? We’d love to help!
Get in touch with us today & our team will be happy to help you select the right natural stone countertop materials for your project.