Countertop Choices

The most common natural stones used to make kitchen counters are:

Granite

Marble

Limestone

Jurusalem

Natural Quartz

Engineered Quartz (Silestone, Caeser Stone)

How they compare:
Granite is the most durable. Because stone is porous, each stone requires special sealants. But granite
absorbs the least and only requires resealing about once a year. You can cut, roll dough, and place hot
pots directly on granite.

Limestone offers a unique weathered look but also stains easily. Jerusalem stone has a similar look but it's
not quite as soft and porous.

Natural quartz has the grayish-blue look of slate but doesn't stain or scratch as easily.

Engineered quartz, which is a mix of 93% stone and resin binders, doesn't require sealants. It has the
look of natural stone yet has a consistent color. Its color should be very close to what you saw in the
showroom.

You should insist on seeing the slabs selected for your kitchen before they arrive (typically you'll have a
chance to do this at the fabricator's workshop). If they were prepared from different lots, the color of the
stone you saw in the showroom may not exactly match the stone set aside for you. Make sure you are
comfortable with any differences. Expect to pay about $70-$100 per square foot. (Only author's opinion)

Marble Because it's smooth and cool to the touch, marble is the traditional favorite for
rolling dough and making pastries. However, it lacks the durability of granite and requires sealants to be
applied more frequently to prevent stains.