Counter Tops Materials Comparison

Choosing counter tops materials can be frustrating! You have many choices, but often you also have to weed through a bunch of marketing hype, conflicting or incomplete information. On kitchen counter top comparison - page 1 you read an overview of the most popular surfaces.

Silestone vs. Granite

Despite marketing efforts by makers of quartz countertops to convince you otherwise, there isn’t any significant difference regarding performance, function, cleaning or price between granite and Silestone, Zodiaq, Cambria countertops or other brands of quartz counter tops.

Sealing & Cleaning

True, you don't have to seal an engineered stone counter top... but this issue has been blown way out of proportion because of . . . marketing.

Applying a granite sealer is really a very simple and infrequent "wipe on, wipe off" procedure with a typical sealer.

Or sealing granite countertops can be a one-time deal if you use the more advanced SenGuard Permanent Bond Sealer.

Or buy granite that never needs sealing and it's a mute point.

WHAT? ..... Doesn't all granite need sealing?

No, that's a marketing myth perpetuated by both sealer and quartz countertops manufacturers. There are over 2500 granite varieties. Many of the darker colors (blacks, browns, blues, greens) are incredibly dense, virtually non-absorbent and never need sealing.

When shopping for granite (or any stone) all you need to do is perform the simple water test to determine how absorbent a stone is and whether it may need sealing.

Thus, the "sealing" issue is not a relevant factor when deciding between these two counter tops materials.

And it doesn't take a closet full of special chemicals to protect your granite and keep its luster as Cambria and other quartz counter top manufacturers suggest on their websites.

Hey, to their credit they are just trying to effectively market their product.

A little secret about most granite . . .

After an initial sealing (if needed), you could do nothing but wipe it with a sponge for years and it would still look pretty good. Minor, easy maintenance performed periodically using recommended cleaning products will, however, give you peace of mind and bring out the best in your granite countertops so they always look gorgeous.

And the same can be said about quartz. Care and cleaning is equally easy for either of these counter tops materials.

Not True

You may also read that you must seal granite to maintain it's shiny polish. Not true. Sealing is for stain resistance. Both natural and synthetic stone counter tops are polished by grinding and buffing the surface into a smooth shine.

Bacteria

Silestone also tries to claim their product resists bacteria while granite "harbors" bacteria. This is totally false. Studies prove that both granite and quartz are among the safest and cleanest counter tops materials on the market today, but one isn't superior to the other.

Deciding

Once all this is understood, the decision between granite and Silestone, Cambria, Zodiaq or other quartz countertops comes down to color, pattern and perceived value for most buyers.

Value & Options

As mentioned Silestone and other quartz counter tops have a limited color palette compared to granite, but a broad range is available to suit many design themes.

Granite enjoys a greater "prestige" due to it's natural uniqueness and is, therefore, typically perceived as having greater value in the minds of most homeowners and buyers.

However, engineered stone products make excellent counter tops materials with qualities as good as granite. So if you find that perfect color and pattern from Silestone or other brands, then you can bet you’ll be very satisfied.

Corian Counter Top vs Granite

Granite Countertops

• Granite offers almost unlimited choice in colors and patterns.
• Granite is heat, scratch and dent resistent. Truly almost impossible to damage in this way.
• Granite is also chemical resistent, but requires sealing for optimum protection.
• Granite will have visible seams on most countertops.

Corian Countertops

• Corian has a limited and some say "boring" color palette, although this is improving.
• Corian is somewhat easily dented, damaged by hot pans and scratches from knives.
• Corian is also stain-resistent, but does not require sealing. Stains and scratches are much more easily repaired than with granite.
• Corian can be molded without seams and if seams are necessary they are virtually invisible. And Corian can include molded, "built-in" sinks while granite cannot.

Which is Better?

When considering all the pro's and con's, most people--myself and most professionals included--agree that granite is the best of all counter tops materials with quartz a close second.

However, many people like Corian and not just for price. Surprisingly, cost can be similar between Corian and granite, but usually solid surface is notably cheaper. So, it really comes down to what properties are most important to you when choosing for your home.

In my experience, the important factor is often which surface has the color and pattern you love the best. Just make sure the surface has the physical capabilities to withstand how you intend to use it. Good luck and have fun!

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