What material is best for your countertops? Let us help you decide!

What material is best for your countertops?

If you are planning to replace your worn-out countertops, you should definitely do some research on what countertop materials are the most suitable for your specific needs.

Before making the final decision, you need to consider the function of the countertop (are you looking for kitchen or vanity countertops?), maintenance, durability and of course, your budget.

There are plenty of options on the market, and the abundance of choice can sometimes be overwhelming.

We would like to make this decision easier for you by presenting our available materials with all their characteristics and advantages.

So let’s get into it!

Granite countertops

Granite is a valuable natural stone that delivers beauty and elegance in kitchens and bathrooms alike.

It comes in a wide variety of colors, and due to its unique grains, long lifespan and extreme durability, it’s a favorite among many homeowners.

Granite is heat-resistant, so you won’t need to worry about accidentally placing a hot item on your countertop’s surface and damaging it.

As granite is a natural stone that is made up of several minerals, it has a porous texture, so proper sealing is required to keep your countertops spotless.

With our 15-year sealer, you won’t have a problem with the maintenance of your granite countertop – all you need to do is clean its surface with regular soap and water, and stay away from using harsh chemicals.

The prices of granite slabs can vary depending on the origins and color of the slab.

Because of its wonderful qualities, granite is on the more expensive side, but thanks to our special square foot program, you can save money by paying for only what square footage you need and not by the slab.

ask for price 407-871-3708

Marble countertops

Marble is a natural stone with a classic beauty to it. It was the favored material among ancient Greek and Roman sculptors, and its popularity hasn’t faded since.

This metamorphic rock – composed of minerals such as calcite, quartzite or graphite – is formed under extreme heat and pressure.

Marble’s luxurious appearance and unpredictable veins and coloring make it a great option for those who are looking to give their homes a classy feature.

This material also has some gorgeous color variations, but white marble seems to be the most popular in modern homes.

Over the years, marble countertops may develop a specific patina and darken a little bit.

However, marble is not as hard as granite or quartzite, and due to its porousness, it needs sealing and some extra care.

Even though marble countertops are heat-resistant, unfortunately they are prone to staining and etching if they are not maintained properly.

Because of its high calcium content, marble is sensitive to harsh chemicals and acidic substances, which you should try to avoid using around your countertops.

The prices of marble countertops can range between $50-180/square foot, depending on their origins and veining.

Quartzite countertops

The last natural stone on our list is quartzite, which is also a metamorphic rock, just like marble.

Quartzite is the hardest and most durable out of the 3 natural stones that we offer at Zsolt Granite.

The most common colors of quartzite slabs are white and gray, but unique color variations – pink, orange, blue and green – are also available.

The color of each quartzite slab is determined by its mineral content.

This extraordinary material is not as porous as the aforementioned stones, but sealing is just as necessary to make your quartzite countertops everlasting.

Quartzite is highly heat- and UV-resistant, making it a perfect countertop choice for bright and sunny kitchens and baths.

As quartzite is scratch-resistant and low-maintenance (wiping its surface with regular soap and water will do the job), it’s no surprise that it’s a favorite of busy cooks.

We’re going to be honest with you: quartzite countertops are rather pricey, but think of them as a long-term investment, as with the right care and maintenance they can serve you for decades and increase your home’s value.

Quartz countertops

Moving on from the realm of natural stones, quartz is one of the engineered materials we offer at Zsolt Granite.

This material is made out of quartz, aggregate, and resin.

Quartz countertops are resistant to scratching and chipping, however, be careful about placing hot items on their surface, and we do not recommend outdoor installation as they are sensitive to sunlight.

Homeowners love quartz for its exceptional durability.

As it’s a man-made stone, quartz has certain positive qualities that natural stones don’t possess: it’s non-porous, hardly requires any maintenance, no sealing is needed to keep your quartz countertops in good condition, and it has many color variations that cannot be found in natural stones.

The great thing about quartz is that it can perfectly imitate granite, marble or quartzite, and with pigments added during the production, stunning new patterns and colors can be created.

Quartz has one more advantage that is attractive for the 21^st century homeowner: it’s eco-friendly.

Since no mining is necessary to produce quartz slabs, it leaves us with a much smaller carbon footprint than natural stones.

Quartz slabs can be quite pricey depending on their pattern, color and manufacturer.

ask for price 407-871-3708

Porcelain countertops

Hassle-free porcelain countertops have been in high demand in Europe for quite some time, and now we are proud to bring them to the US market and to your home!

Italian craftsmanship and sense of beauty come together in our exquisite porcelain slabs manufactured by Emilceramica.

Versatile porcelain slabs can mimic the surface of any stone such as granite, marble, onyx, quartz and even concrete.

Porcelain countertops are so durable that they are suitable for indoor and outdoor use as well.

You won’t need to worry about chipping, staining, scratching or discoloration as porcelain slabs are resistant to all these, and also do well in direct sunlight.

Porcelain is manufactured by heating up ceramic clay to an extremely high temperature (think approximately 2600°F) and then glazed, leaving us with a non-porous, heat-resistant material.

Similar to quartz, porcelain slabs also don’t need to be sealed for protection.

Unlike other countertop products, porcelain can be cleaned with just about any cleaner you have in your home, including bleach based products.

If you’re looking for a long-lasting, low-maintenance and practical material that will look gorgeous in any style of interior, then porcelain is your perfect option.