6 Countertops That Put Granite To Shame, So They Say…

According to an article by Huffington Post, 6 Countertops That Put Granite To Shame, they claim the other types of countertops are better than Granite. However,  In recent years, many alternatives have been proposed as the new “king” of countertop surfaces in an attempt to dethrone granite. Variety is the spice of life, and sometimes the people simply crave something new; however, we still believe that granite is the premiere countertop surface. Granite has unique strength and durability that is difficult to replicate and, contrary to what some of the critics will try to tell you, it offers a great amount of variation in terms of the different colors, patterns, and textures available. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular proposed alternatives and see how they stack up!

Quartz

Contemporary Spaces by Fort Lauderdale Tile, Stone & Countertops Marble of the World

Quartz is a strong, sturdy surface just like granite. Unlike granite, however, quartz countertops are manufactured. This means that quartz countertops are artificially designed and colored, resulting in a less natural look than can be achieved with granite countertops. As a result, quartz countertops lack that “one of a kind” allure that comes with each slab of granite.

Marble

Transitional Kitchen by Boston Interior Designers & Decorators Melissa Miranda Interior Design

Marbles shares many aesthetic traits with granite. They both come directly from nature and bear very unique patterns and coloration as a result. This, however, is where the similarities end because when it comes to durability and maintenance, marble is known for being a nightmare. Marble is both soft and porous, making it susceptible to scratches, stains, and even bacteria retention. Anyone who installs a marble countertop should be prepared to work hard at keeping their stone looking nice. Granite, on the other hand, is easy to maintain.

Soapstone

Contemporary Kitchen by Montclair Design-Build Firms Derek Moore and Sons General Contractors

Another natural countertop surface, soapstone has some unique characteristics. It is a non-porous stone, yet at the same time is quite soft and susceptible to scratching or chipping. Aesthetically, soapstone does not offer a wide range of color choices. Soapstone countertops will be primarily solid in colors some subtle movement patterns. Various shades of green, grey, and deep blue are pretty much all you can expect to see in soapstone.

Wood

Traditional Kitchen by Philadelphia General Contractors Buckminster Green LLC

Wood as a countertop surface is a pretty radical contrast to the stone options we have looked at so far. To begin with, if you are considering wood for your countertops you must be absolutely in love with the look, feel and style of wood since it does not offer any significant functional advantages. If not properly sealed and maintained, wooden countertops can be a haven for bacteria since wood is naturally absorptive. Also, as you could probably guess, wood is much more prone to scratching, splitting, and other signs of physical damage than a tough stone like granite.

Corian

Traditional Kitchen by Houston Kitchen & Bath Designers Cabinet Innovations

Corian is an artificial countertop material made up mostly of acrylic polymer and alumina trihydrate. In other words, similar to Quartz, Corian looks manufactured (because it is) and lacks that one-of-a-kind, no two stones the same appeal that granite has. Granite also provides a higher return on investment, as it will increase the value of your home more than Corian would, should you ever decide to sell.

 

While style and individual preference plays an important role in countertop selection, granite offers a wide range of color options as well as top-notch durability and return on investment, which is why it continues to be the premiere choice. Shopping for granite can be a lot of fun, too. We have hundreds of slabs currently in-stock so stop by and take a look around!