Countertop Guide 101

Countertop surfaces have come a long way since the days of Formica, the plastic building material that was once all the rage. With all the options out there now, it can be tough to know what material is going to be best for your style and your lifestyle, as evidenced by the hundreds of questions we get each year asking for advice on picking out countertop materials. We listened to your requests and put together this list of pros and cons for eight different countertop materials and fourteen different countertop edge profiles so you can pick the perfect surface for your spaces.

Pros

• Natural stone
• Timeless
• Heat resistant
• Wide range of colors and styles
• Can be polished or honed
• Often considered the most designer look of all options

Cons

• Porous surface, meaning it can stain and etch
• Scratches and chips
• Wide range of price points depending on the type
• Requires sealing and maintenance

Pros

• Engineered material
• Stain, scratch, impact, and heat-resistant
• Variety of colors and styles
• Nonporous
• No maintenance required

Cons

• Designed to mimic natural stone, but it never will be
• Natural stone has a cold temperature to the touch, but quartz has a more manufactured feel
• Not a one-of-a-kind selection, which can feel impersonal
• Extra caution should be taken for exposure to excessive heat that can cause damage

Pros

• Natural stone
• Heat resistant
• Variety of colors and styles
• When sealed it is more durable than marble

Cons

• Requires maintenance to be sealed
• Can be costly depending on the slab

Pros

• Natural stone
• Timeless
• Does not need to be sealed
• Heat resistant
• Easy to disguise surface scratches with readily accessible products
• Typically cost-effective

Cons

• Susceptible to scratches and nicks
• Narrow range of colors, from gray to black

Pros

• Adds warmth and character
• Great for baking
• Timeless
• Cost-effective

Cons

• Requires regular maintenance
• Scratches and dents easily

Pros

• Modern aesthetic
• Stain, heat, and water-resistant when sealed
• Customizable thickness, profiles, colors, and textures

Cons

• Ages over time
• Prone to stains, scratches, chips
• Requires maintenance

Pros

• Natural stone
• The most heat-resistant natural stone
• Non-porous after it is sealed•Wide range of colors and options
• Cost-effective

Cons

• Speckled appearance versus veining
• Porous if not properly sealed

Pros

• Engineered stone made from clay-based materials
• Veining and colors are very realistic
• Non-porous, scratch and stain-resistant
• Slabs are offered in large sizes
• Cost-effective

Cons

• Edge styles are limited
• Thin material, so seaming on edges can be more obvious