Has the time come to pick a new kitchen countertop? If so, it’s time to start weighing your options. The difficulty is that there are so many appealing countertop materials to choose from.
There are two main types of kitchen countertop: man-made countertops and natural stone countertops. Man-made countertops, as the name suggests, are manufactured, usually from materials held together with binding resins.
Natural stone countertops, on the other hand, are cut from stone quarried around the world, in countries including Italy and the United States. Natural stone is durable, but it has its downsides too. The most obvious is that these countertops tend to cost more.
Another downside is that most natural stone is porous. That means there are tiny pores in the surface of the countertop, so liquids can seep in and cause stains or harbor bacteria. Sealing the stone greatly reduces how much it absorbs, which is why natural stone countertops are sealed and periodically resealed.
There are many natural stone countertops to choose from, and they include some of the most admired surfaces you can put in a kitchen or bathroom. Here is how the main options compare.
Marble
When people think of kitchen countertop ideas, marble is often the first stone that comes to mind. That isn’t surprising, considering how admired it is. Marble was once seen as a luxury reserved for a few, but today many more homeowners choose it.
Much of the best-known marble comes from quarries in Italy, and marble is one of the more expensive countertop options. There are many types of marble and the price varies widely between them, but it is rarely the most affordable choice for a kitchen. The question remains: is it worth it?
For many homeowners, yes. Each slab of marble is unique, and few surfaces match its look. It is softer than granite, however, and it can scratch and can be etched by acidic foods such as lemon juice or vinegar. Sealing helps it resist stains, and a well-kept marble countertop can add to the appeal of your home.
When buying marble, choose a good-quality slab. It costs more, but with proper care it will serve you for many years. It pays to look after a marble countertop, whether it’s in the bathroom or the kitchen.
Granite
Another front runner among natural stone countertops is granite. It’s one of the most popular kitchen countertops because of its warm tones, and it is generally more affordable than marble. Granite held the top spot before quartz became popular, and because it has been used so widely it is now a familiar sight in many homes.
You can find granite countertops in a great many kitchens, and the stone continues to be in steady demand. It remains a sound choice for a countertop material because it combines durability with a relatively approachable price.
One of the best things about granite is that it is not hard to source. It is widely available, which helps keep its price reasonable. It may not be the trendiest countertop at the moment, but for quality and natural beauty granite is hard to beat.
Soapstone
Soapstone is a distinctive natural stone countertop material. Its price depends on the type and the slab you choose, and it has merits that many homeowners love in a kitchen.
This stone feels soft and smooth to the touch, hence its name. That pleasant texture comes with a trade-off: soapstone is softer than most other countertop stones, so it is more susceptible to scratches, dents and chips. On the other hand, it is dense and resists stains well, and many owners treat it with mineral oil to deepen the color and even out marks.
Another limitation is that soapstone comes in a narrow range of colors, mostly soft greys through to charcoal and near-black. The good news is that these are neutral colors, so they are not hard to match with the rest of a kitchen, whatever its style.
Dolomite
A lesser-known but very capable countertop stone is dolomite, which has been growing in popularity. Strictly speaking, dolomite is also the name of a mineral; the countertop stone is a rock made up largely of that mineral.
Dolomite is a sedimentary rock that forms when limestone comes into contact with magnesium-rich groundwater. The chemical change that follows produces a stone whose soft streaks often resemble marble. It is generally somewhat harder than marble, though it still needs sealing and can be etched by acids.
Because it is less well known, dolomite is often priced below comparable marble, which makes it worth considering if you like the marble look.
Quartz
Some would argue that quartz shouldn’t be on this list at all, because quartz countertops aren’t cut from natural stone. They are engineered: made mostly of crushed quartz, with resins that bind the slab together. Their price is broadly comparable with good granite.
The rise of quartz changed the countertop market, and it now competes directly with granite in many kitchens. Although it is not a quarried slab, quartz looks and feels like stone, and it is a prime choice for a bathroom or kitchen countertop.
Because it is engineered, quartz comes in a wide variety of colors and veining patterns, so you can find one to fit your kitchen. Take your time weighing the options, as there are a great many colors to choose from.
Onyx
Many people consider onyx an exotic and unusual countertop material. It is a banded stone, meaning it is lined with bands of different colors and textures, which makes it very striking. The banding is caused by varying mineral concentrations in the stone.
The biggest draw of an onyx countertop is its appearance; few materials are as dramatic. There is a downside, however, that leads many people to choose other countertops instead.
Onyx is one of the softest and most delicate countertop stones. It scratches and etches easily, so it has to be carefully sealed and looked after, and it is better suited to lightly used areas than to a hard-working prep surface. Done properly, an onyx countertop can be a striking addition to your home that not many others will have.
The Bottom Line
Natural stone countertops can cost more than other options on the market. In return, they offer lasting beauty and, with proper care and sealing, many years of service.
While it may seem like a large investment, a natural stone countertop can add to the appeal of your home, and it gives you a very functional work surface in the kitchen. A contractor who works with natural stone can help you choose the right one for the way you cook and live.