Quartz

Quartz countertops are man-made engineered stone formed by combining 90% ground quartz (a natural hard mineral) with 8-10% resins, polymers, and pigments. Pros: Extremely hard and durable; glossy sheen; non-porous and stain-and-crack resistant; does not require sealing or resealing; wide range of colors; easy to clean with mild soap, water, and a soft cloth.

Granite Countertops

Granite is a natural stone, quarried from large igneous stone deposits found around the world. It has excellent strength and durability with proper care, and it is resistant to scratches and damage from heat such as pans or hot hair tools. It also has good stain resistance and is easy to clean when sealed correctly. Improper sealing or failure to reseal granite when needed can lead to staining of this porous stone and it could harbor bacteria. Corners may chip or break if a heavy object falls on them. Granite is priced according to grades which depend on color and rarity so there are many price points.

Marble

When you ask a countertop contractor about the wisdom of installing marble countertops, the typical answer is, “it depends on where you’re going to use them.” The general consensus is that marble makes a good surface for bathrooms, offices, fireplace surrounds and other locations where they don’t get heavy use. However, most folks don’t recommended them for the kitchen. Marble is a porous material so it readily absorbs liquids like oil, wine, juice and other spills and they are hard, if not impossible, to get out. Even in the bathroom be cautious with things like nail polish, liquid makeup or remover that can stain the tops. Treat it as you would a fine piece of wood furniture.