Granite
$45 – $120 / sq ft installed
Quarried natural stone — every slab is a one‑of‑a‑kind piece of art. The classic choice for kitchens that need to handle real cooking.
Pros
- Heat‑proof — set hot pans directly on the surface
- Scratch and chip resistant
- Each slab is unique; hundreds of natural patterns
- Adds real resale value to a home
Cons
- Needs sealing once every 1–3 years
- Heavy — cabinetry must be sound
- Natural fissures may exist on certain slabs
Popular colors: Black Pearl, Uba Tuba, Santa Cecilia, Blue Pearl, Kashmir White, Colonial Cream, Volga Blue, Giallo Ornamental, Steel Gray, Typhoon Bordeaux.
Care: Wipe with warm water and a pH‑neutral stone cleaner. Re‑seal annually using a water‑bead test to check.
Quartz Most Popular
$55 – $135 / sq ft installed
Engineered from roughly 93% ground natural quartz bound with resins. Non‑porous, uniform, and maintenance‑free — the go‑to for modern kitchens and busy families.
Pros
- Zero sealing — ever
- Non‑porous: resists stains, bacteria, red wine, coffee
- Consistent patterns from slab to slab
- Huge range: marble‑look, concrete‑look, solid colors
Cons
- Not heat‑proof — use trivets above 300°F
- Resin can yellow slightly in direct outdoor sunlight
- Premium brands carry premium prices
Popular brands & colors: Caesarstone (Calacatta Nuvo, Organic White), Silestone (Eternal Calacatta Gold, Desert Silver), Cambria (Brittanicca, Torquay), MSI Q (Calacatta Classique), LG Viatera, HanStone Montauk.
Care: Soap and water. No special cleaners, no sealers. Avoid abrasive pads and harsh bleach.
Marble
$60 – $200 / sq ft installed
The softest of the natural stones, prized for its luminous veining. Nothing else looks quite like a real marble island — ideal if you love patina.
Pros
- Unmatched elegance and light reflection
- Cool surface — a favorite for pastry bakers
- Heat tolerant
- Honed or polished finishes available
Cons
- Soft — can scratch and etch from acids (lemon, vinegar)
- Porous — must be sealed and can stain
- Develops a "patina" over time (some love this, some don't)
Popular colors: Carrara, Calacatta Gold, Calacatta Borghini, Statuario, Crema Marfil, Emperador Dark, Bianco Venatino, Arabescato.
Care: Seal every 6–12 months. Wipe spills immediately — especially citrus, wine, and tomato. Use only stone‑safe cleaners.
Quartzite
$70 – $180 / sq ft installed
A 100% natural stone (not to be confused with engineered quartz) that looks like marble but wears like granite. The best of both worlds.
Pros
- Harder than granite — extremely scratch resistant
- UV stable for outdoor kitchens
- Dramatic natural veining rivaling marble
- Heat resistant
Cons
- Requires sealing (porosity varies by slab)
- Higher price point
- Some "soft quartzites" are actually dolomitic marble — lab testing recommended
Popular colors: Taj Mahal, White Macaubas, Super White, Mont Blanc, Sea Pearl, Fantasy Brown, Cristallo, Azul Macaubas.
Care: Seal annually. Clean with pH‑neutral stone cleaner. Safe for hot pans.
Soapstone
$70 – $120 / sq ft installed
A soft, dense metamorphic stone with a velvety matte finish. The traditional choice for historic homes, farmhouses, and chemistry labs alike.
Pros
- Completely non‑porous — never needs sealing
- Impervious to acids, stains, and heat
- Small scratches can be sanded out by hand
- Warm, tactile matte surface
Cons
- Soft — will scratch and dent more easily than granite
- Limited color palette (mostly grays/greens/blacks)
- Darkens unevenly unless oiled regularly at first
Popular varieties: Black Venata, Barroca, Santa Rita, Alberene, Minas, Julia. Expect charcoal greys warming to deep black with mineral oil.
Care: Rub with food‑grade mineral oil monthly during the first year to even out the patina. After that, only soap and water.
