Kitchens 101: A Guide To Counters

Natural or man-made? Will it stain? Scratch? Does it come in a range of colors? Use this reference to find the right counters for your kitchen. Scroll down!

**Butcherblock**
*Natural*

**What It Is:** Straight cuts of wood glued together to form slabs.

**Price Range:** $–$$

**Hardiness Factor:** Medium. Not heat- or stain-resistant. Periodic sanding and food-safe oiling is recommended to prevent cracking and dullness.

**Why We Like It:** Adds instant warmth, and natural give makes it well-suited to table-style island dining.

Source: Canadian Butcher Block Company

Products: Edge-Grain Cherry with CBBC Permanent Soy Oil Sealer & Finish

**Granite**
*Natural*

**What It Is:** Natural quarried stone.

**Price Range:** $$

**Hardiness Factor:** Medium. Resistant to scratches and heat, but can stain. Sealing recommended.

**Why We Like It:** Rich shades of green, charcoal gray and black are right on-trend. Honed finishes soften the overall look.

Head over to https://homerepairninja.com/granite-vs-quartz/ to learn more.

Source: Ciot

Products: Blanc Du Blanc Granite

**Marble**
*Natural*

**What It Is:** Natural quarried stone.

**Price Range:** $$–$$$$

**Hardiness Factor:** Low. Can scratch and stain, but is heat-resistant. Sealing recommended.

**Why We Like It:** Timeless character and singular patterning. Works in a vast array of kitchen styles, from traditional to contemporary. Will show wear over time (a pro or con, depending on your point of view).

Source: Antolini

Products: Dover White Marble

**Quartzite**
*Natural*

**What It Is:** Natural quarried stone.

**Price Range:** $$–$$$

**Hardiness Factor:** High. Wears like man-made stone (see quartz and porcelain).

**Why We Like It:** Unique veining and variation give it personality with the practicality of man-made products. Light gray slabs are a great stand-in for Carrara marble.

Source: Stone Tile

Products: Iron Red Quartzite

**Soapstone**
*Natural*

**What It Is:** Natural quarried stone.

**Price Range:** $$$

**Hardiness Factor:** Medium. Heat- and stain-resistant, but prone to scratches and nicks. Regular mineral oiling recommended to maintain an even appearance.

**Why We Like It:** The soft, almost leather-like finish of some varieties adds instant antiqued character and visual depth.

Source: Greensville Soapstone Company

Products: Church Hill Soapstone

**Concrete**
*Man-made*

**What It Is:** A mix of aggregate stone, sand, fly ash, cement binder and water.

**Price Range:** $$$

**Hardiness Factor:** Medium. Can stain, and heat can cause discoloration. Sealing recommended.

**Why We Like It:** Creates a monumental, architectural feel. Surfaces can be poured on site to eliminate seams for a fully custom result.

**Porcelain**
*Man-made*

**What It Is:** Nonporous clay that is fired to form large ceramic slabs.

**Price Range:** $$–$$$

**Hardiness Factor:** High. Resistant to stains, scratches and heat.

**Why We Like It:** Lighter than some other materials, so a great choice for large wall and backsplash installations.

**Quartz**
*Man-made*

**What It Is:** Mineral quartz ground and combined with resins.

**Price Range:** $$

**Hardiness Factor:** High. Resistant to stains, scratches and heat.

**Why We Like It:** Versatility. The latest quartz counter installation has more texture and visual interest, mimicking the look and texture of natural stone and concrete without the maintenance.

**Solid Surface**
*Man-made*

**What It Is:** A mix of polymer resins, minerals and colorants.

**Price Range:** $

**Hardiness Factor:** Medium. Scratch- and stain-resistant, but not heat-resistant.

**Why We Like It:** Range of applications. Can be customized for cabinet fronts, shelves or backsplashes to create a unified, continuous look.

**Stainless Steel**
*Man-made*

**What It Is:** Steel manufactured in sheets at different gauges. (The higher the gauge, the stronger the steel.)

**Price Range:** $$–$$$

**Hardiness Factor:** High. Industrial kitchens favor it for its ultra heat- and stain-resistant properties, though it can scratch. Fingerprints are also a factor.

**Why We Like It:** Combines durability and easy maintenance with a sleek, even appearance.

Author: Rosemary Poole

Photographer:

Courtesy of Caesarstone (feature image)

Source:

House & Home Kitchens + Baths 2021

Designer:

Produced by Rosemary Poole

Tags: butcher block butcher block countertops concrete Countertop countertops granite granite countertops Kitchen Counter Kitchen Countertop kitchen countertops Kitchen Design Kitchens marble marble countertop marble countertops porcelain quartz soapstone solid surface stainless steel

Kitchens 101: A Guide To Counters

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