Granite's strength and durability make it a natural choice for kitchen countertops. Once polished, natural granite will maintain its high-gloss virtually forever. Because granite is the hardest natural stone, it is stain resistance, normal use of kitchen knives and cookware leaves no scratches, and heat has almost no effect on natural granite, making it much safer than synthetic surface.

There are many advantages to using natural stone instead of synthetic materials such as Corian, Formica, porcelain, concrete or ceramic tile. Natural stone is durable, long-lasting and is available in an endless choice of patterns and colors. Most people believe that natural stone is more expensive than it is. Not only is natural stone affordable, but its resilience proves to be cost-effective over time.

Marble and granite add a polished sophistication and enhance any room. Both can be used for countertops, flooring, fireplace mantels, and much more. However, even though marble and granite are similar, they can also be better suited for specific purposes. Marble lasts as long as granite but is typically best used in bathrooms and mantels. The subtle color choices and veining patterns that marble offers can create a more unique and exquisite design in bathrooms. Physically, marble is less dense and is often the preferred choice for fireplace mantels because more intricate designs can be carved. Marble is sensitive to acidic foods, which includes ketchup, lemon, vinegar and wine. In exposing marble to these acids, there is a risk of staining and dulling the polished finish. Granite has a greater density and hardness, is resistant to scratches, acids, stains, and heat, is long-lasting, and creates a beautiful, unique ambiance in any environment.

Natural stone is a dense and porous material, so it can get stained if a spill is not cleaned quickly. Sealing the surface with a water-based sealant is recommended to protect the stone from water patches and stains. Sealing can be done once a year or once every two years depending on the usage of the surface.

Granite and marble are porous materials and are subject to staining if not taken care of properly. In granite, the same porosity that allows for staining also allows for easy stain removal. In most cases, stains can be prevented by quickly blotting the spill with a paper towel. Don't wipe, as this will spread the spill. If a spill is left overnight, especially if the liquid is grease, oil, coffee, or wine the granite will usually darken. To remove the stain, a poultice should be used, which may pull out the stain from the granite. Marble can be stained and etched by acidic or oil-based products.

There are many products that can harm natural stone. Do not use cleaners that contain vinegar, bleach, ammonia, or acid. Always check the product label for any of these ingredients.

Granite is a very dense material and, under normal conditions, is chip and scratch resistant. Marble can be chipped and scratched under normal use and therefore, should only be used in low traffic areas and should be treated like a piece of fine wood.

The 2 cm stone is approximately 3/4" thick, ranging from 5/8" to 7/8" in thickness. The 3 cm is approximately 1 3/16" and can range from 1 1/16" to 1 5/16" thick Recommended thickness for kitchen countertops is 3 cm for both aesthetic and structural reasons.

The most common slab length for both granite and quartz is 125” x 65”. This means if your lower cabinets are longer than 12" in length that your countertops will have to be seamed. Otherwise, you can achieve seamless countertops.

Quartz countertops, which are sold under brand names, are man-made stone surfaces. Quartz products offer consistency in patterns and colors that natural stone cannot. Quartz surfaces do not offer the uniqueness and varied random patterns of natural granite & marble. Quartz countertops are composed of 93% natural quartz. Quartz can be affected by extreme heat, so manufacturers recommend using cutting boards, trivets, and hot pads while preparing meals. Quartz and natural stone can be damaged if not cared properly.

The hard surface of quartz is non-porous and very resistant to staining (even better than marble). Quartz counters can resist oil, coffee, wine, juice, and most other common kitchen spills. It is not 100% stain-resistant though and is susceptible to stains from solvents , sodium hydroxide, and permanent markers.