Materials

Granite
The stone so many have come to love is an igneous rock with a holocrystalline structure. That means that the crystals that make up the stone don’t fully develop; instead, they grow into each other. This unique interlocking crystal structure makes granite extremely durable and gives it the grainy look for which it was named.
Still the top choice in countertops!

Quartz
Made from one of the hardest minerals on earth, quartz countertops are arguably the most durable option for kitchens. They’re also some of the most eye-catching. They come in a wide variety of colors, with sparkles and veining for the look of granite or marble. But unlike natural-stone slabs, which are mined, these slabs are engineered in a factory. Their primary ingredient is ground quartz (about 94 percent), combined with polyester resins to bind it and pigments to give it color. For some designs, small amounts of recycled glass or metallic flecks are added to the mix. The resins also help make these counters stain and scratch resistant—and nonporous, so they never need to be sealed.

Marble
It’s a metamorphic stone, which is formed when sediment crystallizes under great heat or pressure to form hard rock. Marble is not the hardest of these stones, however, making it porous and therefore susceptible to staining. Marble is also formed out of calcium carbonate, giving it a chemical structure that reacts easily with acids and leads to etching on the surface. They are bright, elegant, add character and are wonderful to cook on, particularly if you’re baking.

Soapstone
Soapstone counters are made from quarried stone. The stone is a steatite stone that includes chlorite, magnesite and dolomite. Most also contains quite a bit of talc which accounts for the milky or powdery look and feel of the stone. Slabs with lots of talc have been used by sculptors through the ages for its softness. Steatite with less talc is hard enough for use in countertops and fireplace surrounds. It’s milky appearance gives it a rustic feel when compared with the urbane and elegant look of granite or slate. Many homeowners love the natural charm of soapstone.

Quartzite
This is a metamorphic rock that has been formed from sandstone. A metamorphic rock is one that has been altered by energy that can include pressure and heat. Marble, for instance, is also a rock of this type that has been formed from limestone. Quartzite is an extremely hard rock that is not water or acid-soluble. In its’ purest form it’s white like marble, but it can have impurities in it that lead to some incredible patterns and colors. For some people, it’s the only surface that they would ever consider due to its incredible beauty and strength.