Materials
Choosing your countertop
There's no single best stone — there's the one that suits how you use the room. Here's the honest comparison, including the trade-offs nobody mentions until after you've bought.
| Granite | Quartz | Marble | Quartzite | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heat | Excellent | Use a trivet | Very good | Excellent |
| Scratches | Excellent | Excellent | Softer — will mark | Excellent |
| Stains | Good — seal annually | Excellent — non-porous | Reactive to acids | Good — seal annually |
| Upkeep | Reseal about once a year | Soap and water. No sealing, ever | Seal regularly; wipe spills promptly | Reseal about once a year |
| Character | Every slab is one of a kind | Consistent colour across slabs | Develops a patina over time | Marble's look, granite's durability |
| Best for | Busy family kitchens, outdoor kitchens, anywhere hot pans land | Busy kitchens, bathrooms, anyone who wants zero maintenance | Bathrooms, baking stations, statement islands | People who want marble but cook seriously |
Still torn between two?
Bring your cabinet door and a photo of the room. Thirty minutes on the showroom floor settles most decisions.