Countertop Information

Granite:

• Hardest of the natural stones listed
  
• There are hundreds of colors of granite
  
• Available in 2CM (3/4" thick) or 3CM (1^1/4" thick) or a combination of two pieces
  
• Available polished, honed or textured
  
• Maintenance: Requires periodic cleaning and resealing to maintain stain resistance
  
• Granite is the most preferred countertop in a kitchen
  
  Marble:
  
• Generally softer than granite, stains easier
  
• Suggested for bathroom vanities or tiling
  
• Available polished, honed or textured
  
• Acids will affect it, because it's primarily made up of calcium
  
• Maintenance: Requires periodic cleaning and resealing
  
  Travertine:
  
• Softer than marble, not very stain resistant
  
• Naturally has a dull finish (like a honed finish)
  
• Suggested for bathroom vanities or tiling
  
• Acids will affect it, because it's primarily made up of calcium
  
• Maintenance: Requires periodic cleaning and resealing
  
  Soapstone:
  
• Generally softer than granite
  
• Dark stone, usually grey or black with veining occasionally
  
• Soapstone is inert. Alkalis and acids do not affect it.
  
• Maintenance: Requires oiling of the stone to darken and seal it
  

Zodiaq:

• Approximately 30 colors
  
• Ten year limited warranty
  
• Comes in 2CM or 3CM
  
• Can be honed or polished
  
• Can be seamed with an integrated Corian sink
  
• Can be seamed on the edges, to create a thicker looking edge
  
  Silestone:
  
• Ten year limited warranty
  
• Comes in 2CM and 3CM
  
• Available with Microban technology (prohibits growth of bacteria)
  
• Several finishes available
  
• Can be seamed on the edges, to create a thicker looking edge
  
• Silestone sinks available
  
  Solid Surface (100% Man Made):
  
  Corian:
  
• Easily repairable, within reason
  
• Non porous, so it is stain resistant and mildew resistant
  
• Comes in Matte, Semi-gloss or Gloss finishes
  
• Inconspicuous seams
  
• Has a line of sinks that are seamed to the counter top
  
• Transferable 10 year limited warranty, under certain conditions
  
• Downfall: it usually looks man made
  
  Avonite:
  
• Easily repairable, within reason
  
• Comes with Matte, Semi-gloss or Gloss finish
  
• Has a recycled line of c-tops, made from extra c-top materials
  
• Has an integral line of sinks
  
• Non porous, so it is stain resistant and mildew resistant
  
• Non transferable 10 year warranty
  
• Downfall: it usually looks man made
  

• Thought to be the least bacteria resistant countertops, but most woods are actually inhospitable to bacteria. It's the cracks and crevices that harbor the bacteria.
  
• Wood can be distressed or worn, to create a rustic look
  
• Scratches can be sanded out of tops with an oiled finish
  
• A lacquered finish may require refinishing to remove scratches
  
• Maintenance: Requires oiling every 6 weeks or so, to keep the wood from cracking and to help it to resist bacteria growth
  
• Not suggested in Kitchen work areas (near sinks or stoves)
  

• Smooth surface that is easy to clean
  
• Lots of color varieties
  
• You can upgrade your edges to wood, to add a nice touch
  
• Somewhat inexpensive and durable
  
• Downfalls: it can peel apart, seams are visible, not very easy to repair
  

• Heat and scratch resistant
  
• Can be color tinted and textured
  
• Custom shaping available
  
• Should be sealed
  
• Downfalls: cold, very hard, mid to high cost range due to labor
  

• Very contemporary or Industrial
  
• Stain resistant, durable
  
• Seamless sinks and backsplashes available
  
• Downfalls: expensive, may dent, you cannot cut on it, scratches are permanent and expected