Summary:
The most popular choices are Quartz and Granite.
You will find a bunch of web pages that claim granite has to be refinished frequently and Quartz can only withstand head up to 150-300°. These sites in general seem to be from stores or others who are knocking their competition.
Costco guarantees the sealer on granite for 15 years.
Consumer Reports tested Quartz with a 400° pan and there was no damage.
Quartz (84) and Granite (81) are rated almost the same with no difference in stains, cutting (scratching), heat and abrasion.
In talking to realtors in the New York City metro area and San Francisco Bay Area are there seems to be a regional preference. Granite in the East Coast and Quarts in the West.
See: Quartz Kitchen Countertops Have Captured Our Hearts-Here's Why | SFgate.com
Give granite countertops another chance - Real Estate - New Jersey Herald
The basic choices are:
Engineered Stones/Quartz (CaesarStone, Silestone, Cambria, Zodiaq,)
These are made up of 90-95% ground up quartz, color, and resin. It is meant to mimic stone but is more durable and requires less maintenance.
Pros: Nonporous, resists scratches and stains, easy to maintain, no sealant required. Looks like natural stone (it's at least 90% quartz mized with acrylic resin) but can be mixed with pigments for custom color.
Cons:
Over-exposure to sunlight can cause quartz to discolor.
Many sites complain that is only heat resistant to 150-302°, but these are sites like GraniteGold.com. Do they have a bias?
Consumer Reports tested quartz with a 400° pan and it was not damaged. A friend with Quartz who says she puts hot pans on them all the time without a problem.
$70-100/sq ft. installed
Granite
Pros: More durable than marble, won't scratch, resistant to stains, heat and water if sealed, low-maintenance, high resale value, lots of color options.
Cons: Expensive, Can crack.
Frequent resealing is not required as much as many web pages claim.
Home Depot guarantees theirs for 15 years without resealing.
Choosing the right countertop
$60-85/sq ft. installed. High end or rare granite can run upward of $150/sq ft.
2021 Granite Countertops Costs | Prices To Install Per Square Foot | HomeGuide.com
Granite $10-32/sf. (Products – San Jose Stone)
$30-$50/sf AJ in Truckee
Labor $15-$45/sf
sink cutout $100
edging $5-$20/LF
Remove existing counters $4-7/sf
Sink $240
Plumbing labor $200
Imported granite is roughly 30% more than domestic
because of the high shipping costs associated with its weight.
Granite Countertops Cost - RmodelingExpense.com
Total w/ Installation per sf
Basic Better Best
$60 $70 $100
Granite Countertops Cost Per Square Foot | HouseBeautiful.com
New Jersey 2017
93 sf
35' backsplash
54' edging
2 cutouts
2 bids including granite
2017 2021
$5,350 $55/sf $60
$7,400 $80/sf $87
How Much Does It Cost to Install a Granite Countertop? | fixr.com
Custom Granite Countertop | HomeDepot
Cost to Install a Countertop - The Home Depot
See Granite Finishes
Marble
Pros: Comes in a variety of colors and patterns, smooth surface, won't chip or dent, heat-resistant.
Cons: Expensive, can be scratched or etched by acids (citrus, coffee, alcohol, some cleaning products) even if you seal it. But if you are vigilant about spills and seal your counters a few times a year (you can do this yourself with a simple spray product) marble is a good option.
Consumer Reports does not recommend marble.
$75-150/sq ft installed.
Solid Surface (Corian, etc.)
Pros: Durable, smooth surface, can seamlessly integrate sink and backsplash, easy to sand away stains or scratches, lots of color and pattern options, can imitate other materials like concrete and marble.
Cons: Can be easily damaged by heat, easy to scratch and dent, can get stains. $45-150/foot.
Brands: DuPont Corian, Samsung Staron, LG Hi-Macs, ECO, etc.
Laminates
Pros: Stain-resistant, waterproof, lots of color options, low-maintenance, inexpensive.
Cons: Can crack and scratch, not heatproof, difficult to repair. $15-60/foot plus installation.
Brands: Formica, Wilsonart, Pionite, etc.
Stainless Steel
Pros: Durable, stainproof, spillproof, temperature-proof, easy to clean and maintain, help reflect light.
Cons: Can nick and scratch, can show fingerprints, noisy. $100-300/foot.
Concrete
Pros: Heat- and scratch-resistant, smooth, very strong, lots of texture and color options, pretty durable, can seamlessly integrate sink and backsplash.
Cons: Can get cracked, somewhat porous, must be sealed and waxed, needs to be custom cast (can be pricey to fabricate). Around $80-150/foot.
Concrete
Pros: Heat- and scratch-resistant, smooth, very strong, lots of texture and color options, pretty durable, can seamlessly integrate sink and backsplash.
Cons: Can get cracked, somewhat porous, must be sealed and waxed, needs to be custom cast (can be pricey to fabricate). Around $80-150/foot.
Others: Ceramic Tile, Wood/Butcher Block, Lava Stone, Soapstone, Glass, Paper-based Composite, Bamboo & Paper Composite,
Source: Ultimate Guide to Choosing Countertops: Pros & Cons | Apartment Therapy
Best Countertops for Busy Kitchens - Consumer Reports
video
Quartz is best for busy countertops.
They tested it with a 400° pan and it didn't scorch.
Granite is the best choice for a natural stone look, but it can stain.
Quartz, Marble and Granite can be prone to chipping especially on the edge.
A rounded edge will help avoid this.
Ratings
| Type | Score | Price | stains | cutting | heat | Abrasion | Inpact |
| Quartz | 84 | $20-60 | 84 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 2 |
| Granite | 81 | $20-69 | 81 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 2 |
| Recycled Glass | 69 | $25-$100 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 1 |
| Laminate | 68 | $5-$25 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 4 |
Remodeling Calculator
| Material | Price Per Sq.Ft. Installed | Pros | Cons |
| | | |
| Granite | $45 - 170 | high resale value, very durable, classic look, | Poorly sealed granite may absorb wine, |
| | highly heat and scratch resistant, easy to clean | dirt and harbor bacteria |
| | | |
| Marble | $125 - 250 | upscale elegance, ideal if you don’t cool a lot | susceptible to scratching, staining, needs to be resealed |
| | crisp, bright color, adds value to your home | every few years, may develop patina with time |
| Engineered Quartz | $90 - 185 | highly durable, beautiful earth tones, low maintenance | not very heat resistant, seams can be noticeable |
| | none-porous, resists staining, will not harbor bacteria | |
| Concrete | $70 - 140 | can be dyed, stained, acid-etched to create any color, texture | scratches and stains are noticeable and happen easily |
Custom Granite Countertop
| Granite | Laminate | Marble | Quartz | Quartzite | Recycled Glass |
| Stain Resistance | **** | ***** | ** | **** | **** | *** |
| Scratch Resistance | ***** | ** | * | ***** | ***** | ***** |
| Heat Resistance | ***** | ***** | ** | ***** | ***** | ***** |
| Impact Resistance | *** | **** | * | ***** | ** | * |
Source: KitchenMagic.com
At Bathroom countertop & Reliability they rate laminates #1 (77 pts). Quartz is 74 and Granite is 72. I couldn't see any reason for the difference. Cosentino's Dekton was 73.
Quartz vs Granite:
At Quartz Vs. Granite Countertops - A Geologist's Perspective | Forbes Trevor Nace says,
"The debate breaks down into a few large picture questions that you have to ask yourself. Despite the price difference in the two countertop options there are really two variables that you should take into account. One variable is whether you prefer a man made stone or a natural stone. You will find much more beauty in granite and there is certainly an excitement involved in picking out the small imperfections and color variation. I'll give this one to granite as it has a unique and impossible to replicate feel that never disappoints in upgrading your kitchen countertop. The other variable is ease of use in a number of different factors. Quartz countertops are sealed and therefore not porous, they are primarily made of quartz, which means they are more durable than granite. You'll find that quartz countertops are easier to clean, maintain, and forget about. If your primary concern is having a countertop that you can ignore and heavily use, quartz composite is the way to go."
Personal experience. I had two friends who redid their kitchens with Quartz.
One used an interior designer who specialized in kitchens but she didn't know the details for the choice.
THe other used it because Quartz is actually harder than granite and thus, more durable and it isn't porous like granite, it's easy to keep your countertops relatively bacteria-free.
Rental Property Countertops.
What is the best countertop for a rental property? | askinglot.com
Also, what countertops are most durable? The Top 5 Most Durable Countertops
- Granite. Although natural granite remains one of today's most popular countertop choices, it may have met its match with the growing popularity of engineered granite.
- Quartz.
- Recycled Glass.
- Concrete.
- Solid Surface.
Recycled glass and polished concrete countertops are considered good for rentals.
Quartz is actually harder than granite and thus, more durable. In fact, quartz is nearly indestructible, and because it isn't porous like granite, it's easy to keep your countertops relatively bacteria-free.
IceStone Recycled Glass & Concrete.
IceStone is as hard like granite, not porous like marble and heat resistant like stone.
Colors:
Best Granite Countertops for Cherry Cabinets | The colorogist
Kashmir White
Kashmir White at Bridgewater Marble & Granite
Kashmir creme
$55/sf
At SRI Rock
What Granite Countertop Color Looks Best with Cherry Cabinets | KitchenMagic.com
For a stunning contrast with dark cherries, opt for a light colored granite countertop like New Venecian Gold, Santa Cecelia or Kashmir White.
Our choice at Bridgewater Marble & Granite
Top 5 Granites Countertops for Cherry Cabinets - Marble.com
 
Unknown:
Houzz.com Juperana
Choosing a green color or even a neutral with a green undertone will make cherry or mahogany kitchen cabinets go more red.
Cherry and Mahogany are already dark so choose a lighter color unless you have a lot of light.
Dealers:
Bridgewater Marble and Granite Works (732) 560-1717
Arielle arielle@bridgewatermarble.com
Central NJ Countertops Brian DeStefano cjgcountertops@gmail.com
SR International Rock,Inc. (908) 864-4700, Info@srirock.com
7 Easy St., Bound Brook
Links:
Granite Finishes
Caring for Granite Countertops
(Sealers)
Granite Versus Quartz Countertops – Advice For Better Kitchen Design
Quartz vs. Granite Countertops: The Complete Comparison
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last updated 3 Oct 2016
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