We fabricate and install eleven surfaces. Here's how each one behaves once it's in your kitchen — not the brochure version.
The low-maintenance workhorses
- Quartz — engineered, non-porous, never sealed. Stain-proof. Use a trivet for hot pans. The default for busy households.
- Granite — natural, heat-proof, one-of-a-kind. Seal yearly. Low fuss otherwise.
- Porcelain (sintered) — large-format slabs, UV-stable, extremely hard, non-porous. Great for outdoor and cladding as well as counters. Fabrication is exacting.
The character picks
- Quartzite — natural stone with marble's look and granite's hardness. Naturally non-porous but still sealed yearly for peace of mind. Dramatic movement.
- Soapstone — matte, warm, and it builds a living patina with oil or wax. Softer, so it takes a scratch — which sands right out. Maximum heat resistance.
- Slate — low sheen, low porosity, unlike anything else on the floor. Repairable.
The high-touch beauties
- Marble — timeless veining, moderate maintenance. It etches with acids (lemon, wine) and that's part of its story. Honed hides wear better than polished. We'll tell you honestly whether you'll be happy with it.
- Butcher block — solid hardwood you can sand and refinish yourself. Needs regular oiling; poor near heat. Best as a warm accent run, not the whole kitchen.
The value plays
- Remnants — leftover premium slabs at a fraction of the cost. Ideal for vanities, laundry tops and small islands.
- Solid surface — seamless, renewable, integrated sinks. Not heat-tolerant. Good for baths and utility.
- Recycled glass — distinctive terrazzo-like look with a sustainability story.
How to actually decide
Rank these three in order for your household: maintenance tolerance, look, budget. Whichever you put first eliminates half the list in one move. Then see the finalists as full slabs in person — a 4×8 slab reads completely differently from a 4-inch sample.
