• Overview – Granite is one of the most popular of different countertop materials.

• Appearance – There are many different types of minerals in granite, some of which appear like small, shiny flecks or longer veins of varying colors. Granite itself comes in many different natural colors and can be polished or finished in many different ways.

• Beneficial Features – The stone is naturally durable and water resistant with antibacterial and stain proof characteristics. Granite is also scratch and heat resistant.

• Care – Use a granite sealant for an additional layer of protection. Clean with a clean, damp cloth and use a small amount of soapy water for heavy residue of debris. Avoid ammonia, bleach, or any cleaning products with solvents or caustics, as this can remove the sealant.

• Overview – Marble is another popular choice of different countertop materials. Commercially, any stone that can be polished is also known as marble, with the exception of granite. This includes serpentine, travertine, limestone, and onyx. Often called the “green” marble, serpentine marble is not actually marble but looks very similar and is more stain and spill proof than marble.

• Appearance – Marble comes in a wide variety of colors and with different vein colors and sizes.

• Beneficial Features – Natural marble is very hard, making it a versatile choice. However, protect marble from water, spills, and stains.

• Care – Use a marble sealant for additional protection. Clean up any water or spills as quickly as possible. Do not use marble in high traffic areas of the home where dirt, sand, or other particles may grind into the marble, which can permanently damage of mark the stone. Unless you want to accelerate the natural patina, never leave a chemical, citric, or acidic item or substance on the marble. Clean marble with a clean, slightly damp cloth and then dry with a soft towel. Avoid bleach, acidic cleaners or any abrasive household cleaners with marble, as etching and dullness may occur. As a marble is used, a weathered/aged appearance will occur naturally overtime as the patina is created. Honed marble surfaces are preferred, as it is easier to self-maintain.

• Overview – Quartzite, which is predominantly silica, is a hard non-foliated metamorphic rock which was originally sandstone. Sandstone is converted into quartzite through heating and pressure related to tectonic compression. Its siliceous nature makes it a perfect choice for kitchen countertops because chemically it has a high resistance to anything acidic.

• Appearance – Pure quartzite is usually white to gray, though quartzite often occur in various shades of pink and red due to varying amounts of iron oxide (Fe2O3). Other colors, such as yellow and orange, are due to other mineral impurities.

• Beneficial Features – Quartzite is a decorative stone which is used as kitchen countertops, to cover walls, as roofing tiles, in flooring, and for stair steps. Quartzite is extremely popular due to its marble like appearance and granite like properties which makes it an ideal choice to be used in a kitchen. Hardness of quartzite makes it extremely resistant to water absorption, heat, and scratches.

• Care – Use a stone sealant for an additional layer of protection. There are instances when a particular block of a quartzite can have traces of calcium carbonate which can be a cause of localized etching if that particular section comes in contact with anything acidic. Quartzite even in this situation will give you more time to clean up before it starts to etch. Clean with a clean, damp cloth and use a small amount of soapy water for heavy residue of debris.

• Overview – Travertine is common for both exterior and interior purposes.

• Appearance – Most natural travertine is dark, ranging from ecru to dark red, with a variety of vein colors.

• Beneficial Features – Natural travertine is softer than marble or granite and should be sealed.

• Care – Wipe down travertine regularly with a clean, damp cloth and then dry with a towel. Avoid abrasive, bleach, or caustic cleaners, as these can stain, etch, or dull the stone.

• Overview – Limestone is a versatile material with many uses.

• Appearance – Most limestone from the United States is light in color, ranging from yellow to pink to gray in color. Limestone imported from other countries are often even dark red, brown, or black.

• Beneficial Features – Select limestone with mineral dolomite present, as this type of limestone can be polished and is harder than other types of limestone.

• Care – Wipe down limestone with a clean, damp cloth and then dry with a towel, as necessary. Avoid abrasive, bleach, or caustic cleaners, as these can stain, etch, or dull the stone.

• Overview – Slate has a distinctive cleft pattern and is usually uniform in color.

• Appearance – Different shades of slate include green, black, dark red, gray, or even mottled purple.

• Beneficial Features – Slate is very hard, durable, and waterproof.

• Care – Rinse with water and air dry for best results.

• Overview – Primarily characterized by a soapy sensation when touched, soapstone has high talc content.

• Appearance – The color of soapstone ranges greatly depending upon the type of soapstone used. Over time, natural soapstone develops a natural patina.

• Beneficial Features – The material is stain, chemical and water resistant but scratches easily.

• Care – Clean with water and reseal with mineral oil.

• Overview – Natural Quartz is composed of silicon and oxygen (silicon dioxide). It is a semi-precious stone at is used often in jewelry.

• Appearance – Translucent and Opaque with many different color ranges. It is the basis of semi-precious stones from amethyst, citrine, to cat’s eye.

• Beneficial Features – This material is very hard and water resistant.

• Care – Use a sealant for an additional layer of protection. Clean with a clean, damp cloth and use a small amount of a mild soapy water for heavy residue of debris.

• Overview – Primarily comprised of crushed quartz, to which high-quality polyester pigments and resins are added, making it strong.

• Appearance – Over 50 different colors available.

• Beneficial Features – Quartz/engineered stone is stain, heat, scratch and chemical resistant. It is not recommended around heat sources (fireplace surrounds) or exterior use. Factories offer a 10-20 year warranty on the materials.

• Care – Wipe with a clean, damp cloth.