Counter Materials
Here’s my tip: If you’ve heard something and the info is not from someone with vast experience in stone, disregard it.
Counters, whether man-made or natural, do not fall into tidy, neat categories. The basics: quartz is man-made. Quartzite is not. It’s natural stone, and so are granite and marble. More recently we are also using porcelain slabs for some countertops.
Part 1: Natural Stone
Natural stones don’t fit neatly into categories of durability. Think of the abundance of rocks at the beach. Each one is unique in chemical composition. Natural stone slabs are no different. So when you choose, choose with an expert who can guide you. Just because something says “quartzite” doesn’t tell you enough about it’s durability; some can flake or chip; others will hold up beautifully when handled correctly.
Don’t buy into “natural is not as durable.” I saw some pretty amazing marble sculptures in Florence. They were carved by DaVinci and Michaelangelo, and have been outdoors for hundreds of years, exposed to all weather since the Renaissance. I should look so good after 700 years. Antique marble tabletops that are used daily, holding coffee cups and red wine glasses for decades, still maintain their beauty. So can your counters when cared for appropriately.
Quality is key. And that quality varies profoundly, whether man-made or natural. Yes, even natural stone varies in quality. It can have hidden cracks, and the backs can be filled with resin. The key is to find a good contractor or designer, who can guide you to yards that don’t source inferior product. I’ve seen natural stone leave a yard looking great, only to see it discolor once it’s in the house, because it has not been prepped correctly. Don’t go shopping randomly. Ask friends who sourced their products several years back and see how the stone has held up. Where did they purchase it? Whenever possible, bring pros with you.
Just remember, this is not as simple as some would have you believe, so consult with experts, and use those experts to help you source and install.
Part 2: Man-made counter materials
The first thing I do with a client when selecting counters is take them on a field trip. We often start with man-made materials such as quartz and porcelain slabs. Most of my clients then fall into one of two categories: they either like these manufactured options and want to run with it everywhere, or they have a visceral reaction to the aesthetic, and we move on. If I am going to be honest, (yup, I always am) quartz has come a long, long way, but it does look different than a natural stone. Some of us notice that difference, and some of us don’t. I consider it purely a matter of taste. It’s not a “good” or “bad” choice….It’s a choice driven by taste and purpose.
There are many different brands of quartz, and not all are equal in quality or aesthetic. It is worth looking at several brands, and doing your research. Some offer over-the-top color and patterns, other brands specialize in more sedate tones and patterns. Quartz does not require maintenance, but some lesser quality product can discolor over time. It is not suitable for outdoors (we can talk about outdoor kitchen product later). It is usually more budget friendly than natural stone.
Porcelain slabs are a more recent product to the market. They are much thinner than quartz and natural stone. This thin profile makes them suitable to more contemporary counter designs, as well as backsplashes. I have done full slabs (6 feet and larger) on backsplashes and they look amazing. I don’t like my clients to be “guinea pigs” so I recently used porcelain slabs in my own home, for both backsplash and counters, in my laundry and walk in pantry. I am loving them and they take a lot of use.
Not all man-made stone is created equal. I use the car analogy a lot. Not all cars are created equal. Neither, for that matter, is pretty much anything that is man-made. Counters are no different. Do some homework and read reviews on brands. Don’t go to a discount yard. Instead, choose a reputable yard with highly rated products. If a yard won’t divulge the brand, move on to a different yard.