What do you think is the best material for countertops? I’m thinking of doing quartz or granite. I would really like to use quartz but according to this article: https://marble.com/articles/guide-to-understanding-quartz-countertop-costs, it can be quite pricey. Granite needs more maintenance though. So taking quality and price point into consideration, which one do you think is best?
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My two cents...
There are actually five basic "stone" type countertops. - Granite, Quartzite, Quartz, Marble, and Soapstone. Granite, Quartzite, Marble, and Soapstone are natural stones and Quartz is a manmade composite of resin and quartz crystals.
You can theoretically sit a hot pot on Granite, Quartzite, and Soapstone but you could not be certain of Quartz not cracking. Granite and Quartzite have similar properties and prices, with Quartzite being more expensive on average. Marble looks great, but it somewhat soft and porous and can stain - especially white. Marble can also wear over time and etch from acidic foods. Soapstone is harder and less porous than Marble and is widely used in labs and is generally a lovely matt creamy green/gray. It may also be somewhat soft for a kitchen countertop, but it can be honed by the user to remove scratches.
There are more countertop materials. There are sintered stone, bamboo, recycled glass, butcher's block, and even onyx. Before you proceed in choosing your countertop, I suggest you read this blog from Caesarstone to know more about it.
granite will stain.