Choosing the perfect material for a kitchen countertop can be tricky when you’re surrounded by so many options. Granite, marble, and quartz are some popular choices, but what sets them apart from each other? Ideally, you want something durable, low-maintenance, and pleasing to the eye. Choosing the best material can make your countertop the showstopper of your kitchen.

Granite

There’s a reason granite has remained the most popular countertop choice for so many years. It’s the most common igneous rock on the earth’s surface, so it’s entirely natural and environmentally friendly. Granite is incredibly durable, heat-resistant, and offers a plethora of stylish pattern options and color variations. It looks and feels like a high quality material, which is how it makes up for its price tag.

Scratches are easy to fix, maintenance is easy, and although this countertop does need resealing once a year, the process is relatively simple. Rest assured that you’re getting a one-of-a-kind piece when you purchase a granite countertop.

Marble

Marble is a metamorphic rock with elegant, subtle veins created by mineral deposits. It starts off as limestone, but is physically and chemically altered through intense heat and pressure. The marble trend has recently gained popularity, though it’s been wildly desired for centuries due to its clean, elegant look.

Although this luxury countertop delivers a stunning aesthetic to any kitchen it’s featured in, it does have some drawbacks. Marble is incredibly porous and easily absorbs spills. It’s also prone to scratches and stains from common acidic foods like tomatoes and lemons. Unless you take extra precaution, this countertop may not last very long. It’s also not heat resistant and can be expensive to ship because of its weight.

Porcelain Marble

For those looking to get a little more bang for their buck, there is a more practical and sophisticated option out there. Porcelain marble. If you’re head over heels for the marble aesthetic, porcelain provides the traditional flair of marble without most of the disadvantages associated with it. Porcelain is durable, heat-resistant, stain-resistant, lightweight and recyclable. Choose from endless patterns and finishes and don’t worry about resealing.

Quartz

This material is the second most abundant mineral on Earth. Did you know that Quartz is an engineered stone? It’s 90% crushed up granite, marble and natural stone, and 10% polymeric or cement binder.

The battle has always been between quartz and granite, but if we’re being honest, granite usually wins in terms of quality and durability. Although quartz is cheaper and doesn’t need to be resealed, it scratches easier and doesn’t achieve the same natural look that granite or marble does. For these reasons, Quartzite may be a better option for you.

Quartzite

Quartzite, is a beautiful, long-lasting, heat-resistant alternative to Quartz. It derives from pure Quartz, but remains natural and does not undergo the man-made process. It’s similar to marble, but features a more diverse and interesting set of colors to choose from. It does require sealing, but is otherwise easy to maintain. Quartzite brings a natural elegance to a kitchen without sacrificing quality.

Find your countertop at priano

Priano’s a dynamic environment with a complete commercial sample library, multiple design workstations, and over 75 custom displays. Our team of experts is here to help you find and install your ideal kitchen countertop. Contact Priano today to find out more about our products, collection, and installation process.