Choosing the Right Countertop Material for Your Space
Selecting the perfect countertop is one of the most impactful decisions you'll make in your kitchen or bathroom design. With so many options available, each offering unique aesthetic and functional benefits, it can be overwhelming to determine which material best suits your space. To help guide your decision, we’re breaking down the pros and cons of some of the most popular natural and synthetic countertop materials.
Natural Countertops
Marble
Marble is a natural stone known for its veining and use in historic architecture. It is made primarily from calcium carbonate making it more sensitive to acids and other heavy-duty cleaning products
Pros
Classic, timeless and unique appearance
Naturally heat resistant
Naturally shows wear and use over time (some may see this as a con - again, we like to think of it as patina)
Cons
Porous and easily absorbs liquids
Prone to staining, scratching, and etching without proper sealing
Maintenance:
Clean with warm water, soap, or a simple cleaning spray
Requires frequent resealing and cleaning to maintain its appearance
Quartzite
Quartzite is a metamorphic rock formed when sandstone, rich in quartz, undergoes intense heat and pressure deep within the Earth. This process results in a dense, durable stone that is often chosen for its strength and resemblance to marble.
Pros:
Natural stone with the look of marble but greater durability
Naturally heat resistant
Hard natural stone
Available in a variety of patterns and colors
Cons:
Requires sealing, though not as frequently as marble
Often more expensive than other natural stones
Maintenance:
Clean with warm water, soap, or a simple cleaning spray
Requires resealing about once a year and gentle cleaning to maintain its appearance
Granite
Granite is a natural, igneous rock that forms from the slow crystallization of magma beneath the Earth's surface. It is composed mainly of quartz, feldspar, and mica, which give it its signature speckled appearance and wide range of colors.
Pros:
Hard and resistant to scratches or chips
Heat resistant
Durable
Available in a variety of natural patterns
Cons:
Requires sealing, though not as frequently as marble
Maintenance:
Clean with warm water, soap, or a simple cleaning spray
Requires resealing about once a year and gentle cleaning to maintain its appearance
Example of a granite countertop in our Chefs’ Kitchen Project
Soapstone
Soapstone is a metamorphic rock primarily composed of talc, which gives it its characteristic softness and smooth, soapy feel. It’s a dense, durable material that has been used for centuries for various purposes.
Pros
Non-porous
Resistant to stains
Heat resistant
Rich, earthy tone that can range from gray to blue, green, or brown, sometimes with veining or marbling that adds character to the stone
Cons:
Softness gives it a smooth feel, but also means that soapstone can be scratched or dented more easily than harder stones like granite or quartz
Darkens naturally over time, especially with exposure to oils and heat
Limited color options
Maintenance:
Clean with warm water, soap, or a simple cleaning spray
Surface can be oiled if desired to maintain a more consistent appearance
Manmade / Synthetic Countertops
Quartz
Quartz is an engineered stone surface made from a combination of approximately 90-95% crushed natural quartz crystals and 5-10% resins, polymers, and pigments. This manufacturing process creates a highly durable, non-porous material.
Pros:
Non-porous and non-absorbent
Low-maintenance
Available in a wide range of colors and patterns
Hard surface that does not scratch easily (it receives a seven out of ten on the Mohs Hardness Scale, a tool used to help identify a mineral’s resistance to scratching)
Cons:
Similar in cost or more expensive than many natural stones
Not naturally heat resistant and will require use of hot pad or trivet
Maintenance:
Clean with warm water, soap, or a simple cleaning spray
Does not need to be repolished or resealed
Example of a quartz countertop in our Portland Ave Kitchen Project
PaperStone or Richlite
PaperStone and Richlite are sustainable, solid surface materials made from recycled paper and petroleum-free resin. They consist of compressed layers of recycled paper fibers (often post-consumer or FSC-certified) that are saturated with a phenolic resin derived from natural, non-toxic materials. This combination creates a dense, durable material often used for countertops, millwork, and exterior cladding.
Pros:
Made from recycled paper and resin
Durable
Can be refinished
Cons:
Limited color options
Can scratch (though we like to call this patina 😀)
Not naturally heat resistant and will require use of hot pad or trivet
Maintenance:
Clean with warm water, soap, or a simple cleaning spray
Seal with The Original Beeswax spray or paste when water no longer beads up or the surface appears dull
Solid Surface
Solid surface is a generic term for countertop materials composed of acrylic, polyester resins, and natural minerals, designed to mimic the look of stone. Brands Hanex, Corian and Formica are well-known examples of solid surface materials. These countertops are popular for their seamless appearance, durability, and easy maintenance.
Pros:
Non-porous
Durable
Available in a wide range of colors and patterns
Able to be fabricated to have a seamless appearance - this can be especially useful at a bathroom sink and counter where less seams are preferred
Cons:
Made mostly of plastic
Primarily available in solid colors or small patterns that do not give an authentic representation of stone or other natural materials
Not naturally heat resistant and will require use of hot pad or trivet
Maintenance:
Clean with warm water, soap, or a simple cleaning spray
Does not need to be repolished or resealed
Laminate
Plastic laminate is a combination of paper and resin that is bonded to a particleboard or plywood core. This creates a smooth, durable surface available in a wide variety of colors, patterns, and textures.
Pros:
Cost-effective
Lightweight
DIY friendly
Available in a wide range of colors and patterns
Cons:
Made mostly of plastic
Not naturally heat resistant and will require use of hot pad or trivet
Sensitive to moisture: If water seeps into seams or edges, it can cause the underlying core to swell or warp
Visible seams, especially with larger installations
Maintenance:
Clean with warm water, soap, or a simple cleaning spray
Does not need to be repolished or resealed
Butcher Block
Butcher block is typically made from hardwoods like maple, oak, cherry, or walnut. It is constructed by gluing together strips or pieces of wood to form a solid, durable surface.
Pros:
Rich grain patterns of the wood give butcher block countertops a warm, organic look
Durable and resilient
Able to be sanded down to remove scratches, stains, or knife marks, making it a long-lasting investment if properly maintained
Renewable resource
Cons:
Requires regular maintenance
Susceptible to stains and scratches
If left untreated, wood can absorb moisture, leading to swelling or mold growth
Not naturally heat resistant and will require use of hot pad or trivet
Maintenance:
Clean with warm water, soap, or a simple cleaning spray
Apply food-safe mineral oil or beeswax regularly to prevent the wood from drying out and cracking
Reseal the butcher block periodically to keep it resistant to moisture, stains, and bacteria
Example of a butcher block countertop in our Coffee House Project
Concrete
Concrete is a versatile and durable surface made from a mixture of cement, sand, and aggregates, often with added pigments or stains for color and unique finishes. These countertops can be cast in place or pre-cast in a mold offering a variety of design styles.
Pros:
Customizable
Durable
Can incorporate recycled materials, such as glass, metal, or stone
Unique appearance
Cons:
Can develop hairline cracks over time, particularly if not properly sealed
Heavy and require reinforced cabinetry
If the sealant wears off, the surface can absorb liquids and oils, leading to discoloration and damage
Coffee, wine, or acidic substances can cause discoloration if not cleaned quickly
Maintenance:
Clean with warm water, soap, or a simple cleaning spray
Requires regular sealing to protect against stains, moisture, and bacteria
When choosing a countertop material, consider your lifestyle, maintenance preferences, and overall design aesthetic. For more information on specific countertop types, check out the following resources: