Countertop Material Comparison Guide
At Remodel Works we work closely with you to select the countertop material that fits your home’s unique style. Whether you are working on a bathroom or kitchen remodel, we have a wide variety of materials available for your comparison, from marble to corian, to other natural stone options. Our expert kitchen and bathroom countertops team in San Diego will work closely with you to ensure that everything from material selection to installation is handled professionally and with integrity. Countertops can serve as a primary focal point or as an accent to your overall design plan. Available in an endless array of high-quality, long-lasting, durable and beautiful material options that will fit any remodeling budget.
Compare bathroom and kitchen countertop photos from some of our Remodel Works renovations in our guide below. Explore the differences of modern countertop materials and brands to get a better idea of the different kitchen and bathroom countertop options available.
Understanding Different Countertop Materials
- Granite – Granite is a hard and sturdy natural stone material that results in both a stain and heat resistant countertop. What this means is that you don’t have to constantly worry about damage from placing hot cookware directly on a granite countertop. When properly sealed, granite countertops are resistant to stains from acid, oil, and food. Due to their durability as a solid surface, granite countertop cleaning and maintenance can be a breeze. And pros besides durability? Endless modern color options and unique slabs since every slab of granite is different from the next.
- Leathered Granite – With all the same pros as traditional granite but minimal shine and more texture, leathered granite is rapidly increasing in popularity. Many people feel the texture of a leathered finish enhances the stone’s natural color and provides a truly modern and sophisticated look. And what’s more, the process involves moving diamond-tipped brushes across the surface of granite, and the result of this process actually makes the stone more stain resistant because the stone pores are closed.
- Soapstone – There are two different materials popularly called soapstone. There’s talc, and then there’s steatite, which is what’s used for modern household countertops. While this stone is definitely softer than most other naturally occurring minerals, soapstone is dense and non-porous, even more so than slate, marble, and surprisingly even granite. Soapstone, like granite, is heat, stain and liquid resistant, making soapstone an easy to care for material.
- Corian – If you want your countertop to match a specific color in your bathroom or kitchen theme, Corian, trademarked by DuPont™ , is a material that will give you the best chance of achieving that. Why? Because it’s a solid surface plastic material that that can be pigmented to almost any color you’re looking for. And it can also be made with a granite or a marble effect finish. Another pro to Corian is that because it’s not a natural material, it can be produced in large sheets and provide a completely solid countertop free of seams and joins. The drawbacks? Well, Corian is easy to clean but it’s not quite as durable as stone countertops. It can be scorched by flame, and burned by hot pans unlike some genuine stones. However, for what it costs, corian is a good, durable countertop.
- Silestone – Silestone, a combination of natural quartz and other raw materials, is extremely hard and resilient. Siltstone offers the beauty of natural stone in a wide range of colors and varying textures. Just like natural stone countertop materials, Silestone is great for both kitchens and bathrooms because it’s non-porous which makes it resistant to staining caused by kitchen items such as coffee or bathroom items like makeup. Choose between suede, polished or volcano finishes to find the perfect style for your home.
- Quartz – Some quartz countertop material is made of natural quarried slabs of quartz, while a lot of newly engineered quartz countertop material is engineered with approximately 95% ground quartz and 5% resins. Why is engineered quartz popular? The result of manufacturing quartz is an incredibly hard and natural looking stone countertop. And many people end up choosing it because engineered quartz is available in such a wide variety of colors. And in addition to color options, quartz is also popular as it resists staining and corrosion from oils, liquids and most household cleaning products — so it’s a great fit for both kitchens and bathrooms. Unlike some natural stones, quartz can be damaged by heat, so homeowners should be prepared to protect their quartz countertops with trivets.
- Marble – Marble is referred to by some as the “Cadillac of countertop materials” and many people fall in love with the widely available material for its timeless and elegant beauty. The gleaming surface looks super polished and marble can work with almost any design style. It’s also popular among frequent bakers, as they say marble helps absorb any heat from pastry dough, which keeps the dough desirably cool. What are the cons of marble? It’s more prone to staining and scratching than some other natural stone options, making the care and maintenance a bit more work than some people expect.
Select Countertop Brands Include
- Chroma
- Caesarstone
- Sentrel
- Silestone
- Cambria
- Piedrafina
- Sensa
- Hanex
Visit our showroom to view and compare countertop materials, or contact us today to learn more about the different countertop products and materials we have available!
