The Complete Countertop Guide
At Kitchen & Bath Concepts Pittsburgh (KBC), we’ve created strategic partnerships with companies in and around the Pittsburgh area to better serve our clients with high-quality products for their home renovation and remodeling projects.
Ultimate Granite & Stone, a leader in the countertop industry, is one of our strategic partners we work with on a regular basis because just like us, they continue to meet and exceed the demands of their clients.
Part of our job at KBC is to provide our clients with the materials that will make their design dreams come to life. That's why we turn to the team at Ultimate Granite to help us provide our clients with the countertop choice that’ll pair perfectly with the work we’ve done on their renovation or remodeling project.
When it comes time to look for the perfect countertop material for your home, we’ll take you to the Ultimate Granite & Stone Gallery.
“The team at KBC arrives early so they have an idea of the styles and materials they want to show their client. They go the extra mile to help guide their clients in choosing a material that not only looks good, but more importantly works with their lifestyle.” - Sarah Morrow, Stone Specialist, Ultimate Granite & Stone.
The unique set-up of the Ultimate Granite & Stone Gallery gives us the opportunity to browse and talk through a variety of the finest stone slabs from around the world that are presented in an art gallery format.
Choosing the right countertop is a difficult decision and that’s why we’ve worked with Ultimate Granite to put together this comprehensive guide to help you understand the different factors that play a role in picking the right countertop material for your home.
HOW TO FIND THE RIGHT COUNTERTOP MATERIAL
Though it can be tempting to choose a countertop based solely on aesthetics, durability and maintenance are also important factors to consider when making your decision.
When we walk you through the Ultimate Granite & Stone Gallery, we’ll help you find the countertop material that best suits your needs by asking you a range of questions.
We do this to get a better understanding of your lifestyle and how much use your countertops will endure on a daily basis.
HOW WILL YOU USE YOUR COUNTERTOPS?
Lifestyle and usage are major components in choosing the right countertop material. For instance, we’ll want to know if you do a lot of cooking. If so, that might rule out soft or porous materials that show stains and knife marks easily.
If your kitchen is a high-traffic area and you have kids, you might want to consider granite, quartzite, or a material that’s durable and requires less maintenance. In this case, you’d want to steer clear of marble as it’s susceptible to stains.
HOW MUCH MAINTENANCE ARE YOU WILLING TO HANDLE?
Every material comes with a different amount of care and while some materials are more resilient than others, there are stones that require a considerable amount of care. Being realistic about the level of effort you’re willing to put into your countertop’s upkeep will play a major role in the material you choose.
These questions among others will help us help you find the right countertop material for your project.
THE MOHS SCALE
Before we dive into the particulars, let’s first talk about the Mohs Scale which was created by the German mineralogist Friedrich Mohs. The point of the Mohs Scale is to get a rough measure of the resistance of a smooth surface to scratches and wear. The hardness of a mineral is determined by observing whether its surface is scratched by a substance that has a known or defined hardness. The mineral is then given a numerical value for its hardness that’s ranked between 1 and 10. One being the weakest and 10 being the strongest.
We’ve included the Mohs Scale ratings for the countertop materials we highlighted in the next section.
COUNTERTOP MATERIAL CONSIDERATION
Picking out countertops can be a difficult decision but luckily with our guidance at KBC and the experts at Ultimate Granite, we’ll help you narrow down your options to find the perfect countertop material for your home.
To pick the right one, you first have to know the basics.
GRANITE
Granite is formed by the slow crystallization of molten lava that’s cooled below the Earth’s surface. The luxurious look can be credited to the unique patterns and colors that are a product of the other minerals that are found in the stone.
There’s a misconception that granite is difficult to maintain. Due to its lower porosity, granite requires yearly sealing that can be done by the homeowner.
To that point, if your counters are subject to a lot of wear and tear, granite could be a good choice as it’s the easiest of the stones to repair because of its natural composition.
Granite won’t burn if exposed to heat (we suggest you always use a trivet or hot pad before you place anything hot on the surface) or etch when it comes in contact with acidic foods.
The cost of granite is determined by abundance. There are some variations that are plentiful while other variations are more rare which will increase the price.
Mohs Scale Rating: 6 - 7
MARBLE
Marble is a hard, metamorphic rock that’s formed from limestone and is typically white with streaks or swirls of color. The color of these veins in the marble vary based on impurities such as chert, clay, iron oxides, sand, and silt.
Though marble is one of the more sought after materials because of its sheer beauty, you might want to reconsider if you’re planning on having these countertops in a high-traffic area.
Generally speaking, marble is a softer, more porous material which means that spills can lead to discoloration. Not to mention, it’s more susceptible to scratches and damage.
Marble is a countertop material that requires yearly sealing to preserve its beauty.
Mohs Scale Rating: 3 - 4
QUARTZ
This is a man-made material that contains about 93 percent ground quartz that’s mixed with resin, pigment, and other additives to give it its color and pattern.
For homeowners who spend a lot of time in their kitchen, quartz is a good option as it’s durable and nearly indestructible. It’s important to note that quartz can be damaged by heat.
We always recommend using a trivet or hot pot as a barrier between a hot surface and your quartz countertops.
Mohs Scale Rating: 7
QUARTZITE
Quartzite is an extremely hard metamorphic rock that’s formed by sandstone. In its purest state, its color is reminiscent of a white marble and has impurities that create unique patterns and colors.
When it comes to maintenance, quartzite isn’t labor intensive as it only requires a yearly sealing to protect the surface from staining.
Quartzite is a more durable surface so it can withstand higher levels of wear and tear. But, this doesn’t mean that quartzite can’t be damaged. Use a cutting board rather than cutting directly on the surface and like most countertops, avoid direct heat.
Mohs Scale Rating: 7
SOAPSTONE
Soapstone is the material that many sculptors use to create their masterpieces. It’s a metamorphic rock that contains mostly talc which makes it relatively soft and is the only non-porous natural stone.
Because of its soft composition, soapstone tends to scratch or chip under heavy wear.
Soapstone doesn’t require sealing but your countertops will need to be oiled or waxed regularly to cover scratches and to maintain consistent coloration.
Mohs Scale Rating: 1
Choosing the countertops for your home can be a difficult decision but with our help and the experts at Ultimate Granite, it doesn’t have to be.
Whether you want to renovate your kitchen, remodel your bathroom, or any room in between, our team at KBC is here to turn your design dreams into reality. Contact us today.
