Choosing kitchen countertops is one of the biggest decisions you'll make in a kitchen remodel. You are standing there looking at granite, quartz, marble, quartzite, soapstone, and many other options. The question hits you: how do you choose?
I have worked in the stone business for 30 years. I have completed over 10,000 installations in Greater Boston and MetroWest. I have assisted many homeowners with their decisions.
And here's what I've learned: the "best" countertop doesn't exist. What exists is the best countertop for you—for how you cook, how you live, and what you value.
Choosing kitchen countertops comes down to three things: durability, maintenance, and how the material fits your lifestyle. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to make that choice with confidence. No sales pitch, no pressure—just honest information based on three decades of experience.
1. How do you actually use your kitchen? Do you cook daily? Bake often?
Have kids who spill everything? Or is your kitchen more about coffee and takeout? Your real-life usage matters more than any trend.
2. How much maintenance are you willing to do? Some countertops need annual sealing. Others you can forget about. Be honest with yourself—if you won't remember to seal granite every year, that affects your choice.
3. What's your actual budget? Not just material cost—installed cost. A $60/sq ft slab becomes $75-90/sq ft after fabrication, installation, and edgework. Know the real numbers.
Let's break down the main categories before we dive deep into each material:
These include granite, marble, quartzite, soapstone, and limestone. What they all share: unique natural patterns, excellent heat resistance, and the need for some level of maintenance. No two slabs are exactly alike—that's part of the appeal.
Quartz and porcelain fall here. Man-made materials that offer consistency, stain resistance, and minimal maintenance. What you see in the showroom is what you get—every time.
Concrete, butcher block, stainless steel, solid surface, laminate, and recycled glass. These range from ultra-budget-friendly to high-end custom work, each with distinct personalities.
QUARTZ — $50–$150/sq ft High durability • Very low maintenance • Moderate heat resistance • No sealing needed
GRANITE — $50–$100+/sq ft
High durability • Moderate maintenance • Excellent heat resistance • Seal every 1-2 years
QUARTZITE — $60–$150+/sq ft Very high durability • Moderate maintenance • Excellent heat resistance • Seal regularly
MARBLE — $100–$150+/sq ft Medium durability • High maintenance • Moderate heat resistance • Etches and stains easily
SOAPSTONE — $70–$120/sq ft Medium durability • Low maintenance • Excellent heat resistance • No sealing required
PORCELAIN — $60–$120/sq ft High durability • Very low maintenance • Excellent heat resistance • UV resistant too
BUTCHER BLOCK — $35–$100/sq ft Low to medium durability • High maintenance • Low heat resistance • Needs regular oiling
STAINLESS STEEL — $65–$95/sq ft High durability • Low maintenance • Excellent heat resistance • Shows scratches/fingerprints
CONCRETE — $80–$150/sq ft High durability • Moderate maintenance • Excellent heat resistance • Requires sealing
SOLID SURFACE — $45–$90/sq ft Medium durability • Low maintenance • Low to moderate heat resistance • Seamless installation
LAMINATE — $10–$40/sq ft Low to medium durability • Very low maintenance • Low heat resistance • Budget-friendly
RECYCLED GLASS — $60–$100/sq ft Medium durability • Low to moderate maintenance • Good heat resistance • Eco-friendly
Here's where we get specific. For each material, I'll tell you what it's actually like to live with—the good, the challenges, and who it's right for.
If I had to pick one word for quartz, it's "convenient." This engineered stone combines crushed natural quartz with resin and pigment to create a surface that's remarkably forgiving.
Spill red wine? Wipe it up. Set down a hot pan? Use a trivet, but you're probably fine.
Forgot to clean it for a week? It'll still look good.
Durability: High (non-porous, stain resistant)
Maintenance: Minimal—just use soap and water, no sealing needed.
Heat Resistance: Moderate—use trivets for hot pans
Cost (Installed): $50–$150 per square foot
Appearance: Consistent patterns, wide color range, can look like natural stone
Popular Brands: Caesarstone, Silestone, MSI Q
What to know: Quartz is non-porous, which means it doesn't harbor bacteria and never needs sealing. Also incredibly consistent—what you see in the showroom is what you'll get. The downside? It's not quite as heat-resistant as natural stone, and some people find the patterns less "authentic" than granite or marble.
Best for: Busy families, people who want beautiful countertops without the maintenance, anyone who values convenience and consistency.
Granite is the countertop that put natural stone in American kitchens. And for good reason: it's tough, heat-resistant, and every slab tells its own story.
Those swirls and flecks? Minerals that crystallized millions of years ago. No two granite slabs are identical, which means your countertop is genuinely one of a kind.
Durability: High—extremely resistant to scratches and heat.
Maintenance: Moderate—needs sealing every 1-2 years.
Heat Resistance: Excellent—can handle hot pots directly.
Cost (Installed): $50–$100+ per square foot.
Appearance: Unique natural patterns, available in polished, honed, or leathered finishes.
Color Range: Earth tones to bold blacks, golds, and blues.
What to know: Properly sealed granite is nearly bulletproof. It laughs at heat, resists scratches, and with a yearly sealing (takes 15 minutes), it'll resist stains too. The sealing requirement turns some people off, but honestly, it's easier than changing your smoke detector batteries.
Best for: Homeowners who cook a lot, want natural beauty, don't mind minimal annual maintenance, and value resale appeal.
Let's be honest: marble is high maintenance. It etches from lemon juice, stains from wine, and develops a patina over time.
But here's the thing—some people love that. Marble ages. It tells the story of your kitchen. And if you're a baker, nothing beats marble's cool, smooth surface for working with dough.
Durability: Medium—etching and staining can occur.
Maintenance: High—seal often and clean spills right away.
Heat Resistance: Moderate—remains cool naturally.
Cost (Installed): $100–$150+ per square foot.
Appearance: Classic veining with a timeless luxury look.
Popular Types: Carrara, Calacatta, Statuario.
What to know: Marble is for people who either love the lived-in patina or are extremely careful. If the idea of a wine stain gives you anxiety, marble's not for you. If you think aging adds character, it might be perfect. Just know what you're signing up for.
Best for: Bakers, homeowners who prioritize aesthetics over everything, people who embrace patina and aren't bothered by imperfection.
Quartzite is the material people discover when they want marble's beauty but granite's toughness. It's a natural stone changed by high heat and pressure. Harder than granite and more durable than marble. It has beautiful veining that competes with marble slabs.
Durability: Very high—harder than granite.
Maintenance: Moderate—seal it regularly like granite.
Heat Resistance: Excellent—handles high heat well.
Cost (Installed): $60–$150+ per square foot.
Appearance: Marble-like veining with natural depth and character.
Popular Varieties: Taj Mahal, Sea Pearl, Macaubas White.
What to know: Quartzite is often confused with quartz (engineered stone) or marble. It's neither.
It's a natural stone that offers the best of both worlds: marble's elegance with granite's performance. The catch? It costs more than granite, and quality varies—work with someone who knows how to identify real quartzite.
Best for: Homeowners who want the look of marble but need something more durable. It’s great for busy kitchens that require good performance. This option is for those ready to invest in high-quality natural stone.
Soapstone has been used in New England kitchens for centuries—and in Brazil, where I'm from, it's everywhere. It's soft to the touch, non-porous, heat-proof, and develops a rich, dark patina over time.
Scratches? They happen. But you can sand them out or just let them blend into the character.
Durability: Medium—can scratch but is easy to fix.
Maintenance: Low—no sealing needed, optional mineral oil treatment.
Heat Resistance: Excellent—naturally heat-proof.
Cost (Installed): $70–$120 per square foot.
Appearance: Deep gray to charcoal, with subtle veining and a matte finish.
Aging: Darkens over time and develops a rich patina.
What to know: Soapstone is all about embracing imperfection. It will scratch, but those scratches add to its charm. Many homeowners treat it with mineral oil to accelerate the darkening process and enhance the natural color. It's not for everyone, but those who love it, really love it.
Best for: Farmhouse or traditional kitchens, homeowners who appreciate natural aging and patina, those who want authenticity and warmth.
Porcelain slabs are relatively new to the countertop world, but they're gaining traction fast. Ultra-thin, incredibly strong, heat and UV resistant, and available in patterns that mimic everything from marble to concrete. Like quartz's more sophisticated cousin.
Durability: High—resistant to scratches, stains, and UV light.
Maintenance: Minimal—non-porous, no sealing required.
Heat Resistance: Excellent—can handle extreme temperatures.
Cost (Installed): $60–$120 per square foot.
Appearance: Can look like marble, concrete, wood, or modern solids.
Thickness: Comes in ultra-thin slabs (6mm-12mm).
What to know: Porcelain requires specialized fabrication tools—not all shops work with it. The edges can chip during fabrication if not handled properly, so work with an experienced fabricator. But once installed, it's nearly indestructible.
Best for: Modern kitchens, outdoor applications (UV resistant), homeowners who want low maintenance with high-end looks.
Limestone brings soft, understated elegance—usually in creams, grays, and beiges. Porous and softer than granite or quartzite, which means it requires more care. Best suited for low-traffic areas or homeowners who cook gently and clean carefully.
Durability: Low to medium—scratches and etches easily.
Maintenance: High—needs regular sealing and careful cleaning.
Heat Resistance: Moderate—be careful with hot items.
Cost (Installed): $70–$120 per square foot.
Appearance: Soft, muted colors with a subtle texture.
Best for: Classic or European-style kitchens, careful cooks, those who prioritize aesthetics and accept higher maintenance.
Concrete is the ultimate customizable material. Tint it any color, embed shells or glass, polish it smooth or leave it textured.
Industrial, modern, and completely unique. The tradeoff? It requires sealing, and hairline cracks are normal over time.
Durability: High when sealed well.
Maintenance: Moderate—needs regular sealing to avoid stains.
Heat Resistance: Excellent—can withstand high heat.
Cost (Installed): $80–$150 per square foot.
Customization: Unlimited—many colors, textures, and embedded elements.
Best for: Modern or industrial kitchens, homeowners who want a truly custom look, those who embrace the character of aging concrete.
Wood countertops bring warmth and a handcrafted feel that no stone can match. They're perfect for food prep, relatively affordable, and easy to refinish. The catch? They require regular oiling, aren't heat resistant, and can scratch and dent—but that's part of their charm.
Durability: Low to medium—scratches and dents can occur, but you can refinish it.
Maintenance: High—regularly oil the equipment and protect it from water and heat.
Heat Resistance: Low—use trivets and cutting boards.
Cost (Installed): $35–$100 per square foot.
Wood Types: Maple, walnut, oak, and cherry.
Best for: Farmhouse or traditional kitchens, bakers, and cooks who enjoy working with wood. This is for those who like natural aging and don’t mind some upkeep.
Stainless steel is what commercial kitchens use for a reason: it's sanitary, heat-proof, and indestructible. It scratches and shows fingerprints, but some people love that lived-in patina. Great for seamless integration with sinks and appliances.
Durability: High—resistant to heat and stains.
Maintenance: Low—just wipe clean and polish if needed.
Heat Resistance: Excellent—meets commercial kitchen standards.
Cost (Installed): $65–$95 per square foot.
Appearance: Industrial and modern, develops a patina over time.
Best for: Serious home cooks, modern or industrial kitchens, those who want professional-grade performance and embrace patina.
Solid surface materials like Corian offer seamless installation, integrated sinks, and a wide range of colors. They're not as heat or scratch resistant as stone, but they're repairable, affordable, and easy to maintain.
Durability: Medium—scratches can occur, but you can repair them.
Maintenance: Low—easy to clean, no sealing needed.
Heat Resistance: Low to moderate—use trivets.
Cost (Installed): $45–$90 per square foot.
Features: Seamless, integrated sinks, and curved edges are possible.
Best for: Budget-conscious homeowners, those who want seamless looks, families who need something durable but affordable.
Let's be real: laminate is the budget option. It lacks the durability and heat resistance of other materials, but it has improved significantly in looks and quality. For rental properties, starter homes, or temporary solutions, it makes sense.
Durability: Low to medium—can chip and peel.
Maintenance: Minimal—just wipe clean.
Heat resistance is low; hot pans can damage it.
Cost (Installed): $10–$40 per square foot.
Appearance: Many patterns available, including stone-like options.
Best for: Rental units, budget-conscious remodels, temporary solutions, starter homes.
Recycled glass countertops embed crushed glass in resin or cement for a colorful, eco-friendly, artistic look. They're heat resistant, unique, and make a statement—but they can chip and need sealing.
Durability: Medium. It can chip if not handled carefully.
Maintenance: Low to moderate. It needs sealing.
Heat Resistance: Good. It handles heat well.
Cost (Installed): $60–$100 per square foot.
Appearance: Colorful, artistic, modern, and eco-friendly.
Best for: Eco-conscious homeowners, modern kitchens, those who want a unique artistic statement.
You cook daily and entertain often: Go with granite, quartzite, or quartz. You need heat resistance and durability. Granite and quartzite can take the heat; quartz handles everything else with zero maintenance.
You have kids and a busy household: Quartz or granite. Forgiving, durable, easy to maintain. Avoid marble unless you're okay with stains becoming "character."
You want the marble look without the stress: Quartzite or marble-look quartz. Quartzite gives you real stone with better durability. Quartz gives you the look with zero stress.
You're a baker: Marble. Nothing stays cooler for working with dough. Just accept that it'll develop a patina.
You want low maintenance above all: Quartz, porcelain, or soapstone. No sealing required, minimal care.
You're budget-conscious but want quality: Granite (lower-end varieties), solid surface, or butcher block. All offer good value without breaking the bank.
Your edge affects the look and cost. Simple eased or beveled edges are standard and affordable. Ogee, waterfall, and mitered edges add cost but can elevate the design. Choose based on your style and budget.
Standard is 3cm (about 1.25 inches). Some prefer 2cm for a sleeker look or 6cm for a bold, substantial feel. Thicker = more material = higher cost.
A 4-inch backsplash is standard and included. Full-height stone backsplashes look stunning but add significant cost. Tile is a good middle ground.
Polished is shiny and highlights color. Honed is matte and hides fingerprints. Leathered adds texture and is great for hiding water spots. Each finish changes how the stone looks and performs.
Good countertop installation starts with precise digital templating. We measure every corner, outlet, and cutout. Fabrication follows—cutting, shaping, polishing edges. Then comes installation, which for most kitchens takes a day.
Work with a fabricator who has the right tools (CNC, waterjet) and experience with your chosen material. Porcelain requires different tools than granite. Request to see their work, check their reviews, and ensure they have insurance.
Quartz: Wipe with mild soap and water. Avoid harsh chemicals. Use trivets for hot pans.
Granite & Quartzite: Seal annually with a quality granite sealer (takes 15 minutes). Use pH-neutral cleaners. Wipe spills promptly.
Marble: Seal regularly (every few months). Clean spills immediately, especially acids like lemon or wine. Use cutting boards and trivets always.
Soapstone: No sealing needed. Treat with mineral oil if you want to darken it. Scratches can be sanded out.
Butcher Block: Oil monthly with food-grade mineral oil. Sand out scratches as needed. Keep dry and protected from heat.
Concrete: Seal annually. Wipe spills quickly. Expect hairline cracks—they're normal and add character.
For most kitchens, installation takes one day. We first measure your space, which takes about an hour. Then, we make your countertops in our shop. This usually takes 1 to 2 weeks, depending on the materials and our schedule.
Installation day itself is typically 4-6 hours for an average kitchen. Larger kitchens or complex layouts with multiple seams might take longer.
The timeline from selection to installation is usually 1-2 weeks total. Custom edge profiles or special materials like porcelain might add a few days.
Honestly? Hire a professional. Countertops are heavy (granite slabs weigh 200-400+ pounds), require precise cutting and fitting, and mistakes are expensive. A poorly installed countertop won't just look bad - it can crack, have visible seams, or not support weight properly.
Laminate is the only material I'd say a skilled DIYer could tackle. Everything else, like granite, quartz, quartzite, and marble, needs special tools and years of experience to work with.
Quartzite takes the crown for pure durability. It's harder than granite, more heat-resistant than quartz, and when properly sealed, incredibly stain-resistant.
But "most durable" doesn't always mean "best choice." Quartz is nearly as durable and requires zero maintenance. Granite is extremely durable and more affordable. All three will outlast you if properly cared for.
For everyday durability without thinking about it? Quartz wins because it's non-porous and never needs sealing.
Granite and quartz are the safe bets for resale. They're what buyers expect in updated kitchens, and they photograph well for listings.
Granite has been the gold standard for 20+ years - it signals "quality kitchen" to buyers. Quartz is catching up fast, especially with younger buyers who value low maintenance.
Marble can add value in high-end homes, but it can also turn off buyers who know it's high maintenance. Laminate won't add value. Quartzite is beautiful but many buyers don't know what it is yet.
My advice? Choose what works for your life. If you're selling within a year, go granite or quartz. If you're staying 5+ years, choose what makes you happy - happy homeowners maintain their kitchens better, which matters more for resale.
No. Never. Quartz is engineered stone - it's non-porous by design. Sealing it does nothing because there are no pores to seal.
If someone tries to sell you sealer for quartz, they either don't understand it or want to make extra money. Just use soap and water.
Once a year for most granites. Takes 15 minutes, costs about $15 for a bottle of sealer.
Some very dense granites (like Absolute Black) barely need sealing - maybe every 2-3 years. Lighter granites with more porosity might need it twice a year.
Here's the test: put a few drops of water on your granite. If it beads up, you're good. If it soaks in and darkens the stone within 5 minutes, time to seal.
I tell customers to seal on a birthday or New Year's Day - pick a date you'll remember, make it a ritual.
This confuses everyone, and the similar names don't help.
Quartz is engineered stone - man-made. It's crushed natural quartz mixed with resin and pigment. Consistent patterns, non-porous, never needs sealing. Think of it like the high-quality manufactured option.
Quartzite is natural stone - formed when sandstone gets transformed by heat and pressure deep in the earth. It has natural veining like marble, needs sealing like granite, and is harder than both. It's a premium natural stone.
Completely different materials, completely different price points, completely different looks. If someone tries to sell you "quartzite" that doesn't need sealing, it's probably quartz and they're confused.
Depends on the material and the damage.
Quartz and granite: Small chips can be filled and color-matched with epoxy. A skilled repair tech can make them nearly invisible. Large chips or edge breaks are harder - sometimes we cut back and re-polish the edge.
Marble: Can be repaired, but the fill might be slightly visible depending on the veining pattern.
Laminate: Chips usually can't be repaired well - you'll see the particle board underneath. Replacement is often the better option.
Butcher block: Sand it out. That's one of wood's advantages.
We work with repair specialists for chips and cracks. You can fix some damage beautifully, while you cannot fix some. Photos help us tell you what's possible.
Quartz or granite - both can handle the chaos.
Quartz is more forgiving: spilled juice, dropped spaghetti sauce, markers, nail polish - it wipes clean. Non-porous means no staining, no bacteria worries. You can forget about it and it'll still look good.
Granite is tougher with heat and scratches, but needs annual sealing. If you're the type who remembers to change air filters, granite's fine. If you forget that stuff, quartz is better.
Avoid marble unless your kids have grown and left. It will stain, it will etch, and you will stress about it.
Start simple. Eased or beveled edges are clean, modern, and included in most quotes. They also don't catch crumbs or collect grime.
Fancier edges (ogee, dupont, waterfall) look great but add cost - usually $30-80+ per linear foot depending on complexity. They work best in traditional or transitional kitchens.
Mitered edges (where the stone wraps around to look thicker) are popular for waterfall islands - dramatic and contemporary.
My advice: match your edge to your kitchen style and your budget. Simple edges look just as good as fancy ones if they fit the design.
Quartz and porcelain tie for first place. Both are non-porous, never need sealing, resist stains, and clean with just soap and water.
Soapstone is a great choice. It doesn't need sealing, but you can oil it if you want. It is naturally non-porous, and scratches can be sanded out.
Stainless steel is low-maintenance in terms of cleaning, but shows every fingerprint and scratch - depends on whether that bothers you.
Avoid if you want low maintenance: marble, butcher block, concrete, limestone. They all need regular care and attention.
Absolutely - remnants are perfect for bathroom vanities, small kitchen islands, laundry rooms, or wet bars.
Remnants are leftover pieces from larger jobs. They're the same quality stone, same fabrication, just smaller. You can save 30-50% compared to buying a full slab for a small project.
The catch: limited selection. You get what's available in the remnant yard that week. If you're flexible on color and pattern, remnants are a smart way to get quality stone at a better price.
We keep remnants in stock and can show you what's available. For small projects, it's always worth checking the remnant options first.
Here's what I tell every customer who walks into our showroom: the "perfect" countertop is the one you'll be happy with in five years. Not the trendiest option, not what your neighbor has, not what some designer said you "should" choose.
Think about how you actually live. Be honest about maintenance. Know your budget. And then choose the material that makes sense for your life.
We've been doing this for 30 years across Greater Boston and MetroWest. We've installed over 10,000 countertops. And the happiest customers are always the ones who chose based on their real needs—not trends or pressure.
Visit our showroom in Southborough to see slabs in person, ask questions, and get honest guidance. We'll help you choose the right material, edge profile, finish, and layout for your kitchen.
Granite Guy Inc. Route 9, Southborough, Massachusetts Call: 508-460-7900
Service Area: Greater Boston, MetroWest, Central Mass—and across New England for the right projects.
Let's build a kitchen that works as hard as you do—one countertop at a time.