Using the Best Stone for Countertops

Using stone for countertops in your home is never a bad idea. This material is long lasting, aesthetically pleasing, versatile, and highly sought after.

Here at GranitePro, we offer four amazing stone types that come in a wide variety. In our showroom, you can expect to find granite, marble, quartz, and soapstone, all of which offer their own unique benefits.

In this article, we’ll go over the best stone countertops depending on your lifestyle and the maintenance you’re willing to do.

Granite

When you invest in granite, you’re making a wise decision. This stone offers bold patterns and colorations that never go out of style; it’s just as popular today as it was twenty years ago, and that popularity is not likely to fade anytime soon.

People love granite because of how durable it is, not just because of its great looks. It’s one of the hardest materials in the world, coming second only to diamond, and for that reason it’s very scratch resistant. Still, we recommend always using a cutting board when chopping food—not because your countertop could become damaged, but because your knife could become dulled by the granite.

Granite is a porous stone, which means it needs to be sealed in order to reach its full potential. A sealing routine prevents granite from becoming stained, and it also makes cleaning a whole lot easier.

As for heat, granite is formed under intense pressure and high temperatures under the earth’s surface, which means it doesn’t blink an eye at hot pots and pans. It’s extremely heat resistant, which makes it a great asset for the kitchen.

Marble

People are innately drawn to marble’s luxurious aesthetics and show-stopping glamor, and we can’t blame them for that. This stone is known for its breathtaking looks and stunning natural beauty, along with the way it opens up a room with its crisp and bright aesthetics.

Marble is a porous stone—more porous than granite—which means it must be sealed to prevent stains. Even with sealant, though, marble can be sensitive to certain substances like acids. That means you should never clean with acidic materials, and you should do all that you can to prevent spills from tomato juice, red wine, vinegar, lemon juice, etc.

Marble is actually one of the softer natural stones, which means it sustains scratches a lot easier than granite. To keep your marble surface from becoming scratched, always use a cutting board when you prepare food.

Quartz

Quartz is our beloved engineered stone. It is made of ground-up natural quartz, polymers and resins, and pigments to create the different colors and patterns that quartz is known for. Engineered quartz is a nonporous material, thanks to the polymers and resins, which means it does not require sealant, and it does not stain easily either.

The nonporous nature of quartz also means that it’s incredibly easy to clean, and it stays super hygienic, which is an amazing quality for a kitchen countertop to have.

Quartz countertops are known for their low degree of maintenance, along with their versatility of aesthetics. Since they are man-made, it’s often you’ll find slabs that boast all sorts of looks, including those that mimic the aesthetic of natural stone.

Soapstone

Soapstone is a natural stone like granite and marble, but it’s a nonporous material, as is quartz. It comes in a variety of colors that suit all types of kitchen aesthetics, whether you err on the side of traditional or modern.

This stone for countertops is also known for its durability. Even if your kitchen is a busy place with lots of moving parts, soapstone can handle the hustle and bustle—all without asking for much maintenance in return.

These countertops are resistant to heat, chemicals, acid, mold, and stains. If you’re looking for something tough, soapstone is a great choice.

Your Stone Countertop

The best stone for countertops is one that makes your kitchen come to life in a way that you love. To learn more about the materials that we offer, get in touch with GranitePro today.