Whether you’re remodeling your current kitchen or building a new one, you will certainly need to choose matching countertops. From practical elements to design, there’s a lot to consider when trying to find the right material and color. To start, think about how you use your kitchen.

For example, if you love to bake, you might want to consider marble countertops for rolling out dough. But on the other hand, if you have a young family, and are constantly cleaning up juice spills and sticky fingerprints, it might be best to go with a more durable counter surface that doesn’t stain.

Here are some of the most popular types of kitchen stone surfaces that are available.

Granite

Granite comes in slabs that are cut from a larger stone. It’s a popular kitchen counter surface. And, it comes in a wide range of colors to match any kitchen design. It’s also one of the most durable of the natural stone surfaces, typically, granite is stain and scratch-resistant.

One of the potential downsides of granite countertops is it needs to be sealed when it’s installed, and also requires annual resealing. Remember, granite is also quite heavy, so before purchasing it you should make sure that your cabinetry can bear the weight of the countertop.

Quartz

Quartz is a fabricated stone that is created from pieces of natural quartz that are held together with resin, according to HGTV. It comes in a wide range of colors because color can be added during the fabrication of the stone. It’s more durable than granite and doesn’t require resealing since it isn’t porous like granite or marble.

Even though quartz isn’t a natural stone like granite, it generally costs about the same. You might also notice that quartz has a more polished finish than granite so if you’re looking for a more natural appearance, then quartz might not be the option for you.

Marble

Marble countertops are made from a slab taken from a larger piece of marble. The color of marble can range from solid white to black. It can be a great way to bring some warmth to a kitchen that has a lot of stark elements. Marble surfaces stay cold naturally, so if you’re a big baker or cook who rolls out dough often, this might be an option for you.

Marble is usually more expensive than granite or quartz. It also requires higher maintenance. It can chip and stain easily. I suggest sealing it before it’s used as a countertop. I also recommend resealing every three to six months due to normal wear and tear. If you want to go with marble, I suggest picking a smaller surface in your kitchen like a center island. It gives you a way to incorporate the warmth of marble in your kitchen without as much maintenance.

Picking out new countertops is an exciting project. Hopefully, this information will help you to select the right stone countertop for your kitchen and your needs.

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