Granite is still the most popular choice for natural stone users, due to its durability and resistance to scratching, staining, and etching. Granite can take a higher heat than other natural stone, but still requires a sealant because there are varying levels of absorbency. The stone is naturally durable and water resistant with antibacterial and stain-proof characteristics. Granite is also scratch and heat resistant.

Marble prized for its unparalleled aesthetic beauty—to the point that many overlook its ability to scratch, stain, and etch. However, by simply using cutting boards and proper sealant, scratching and staining issues can be prevented, and etching is more of a reality. Natural marble is very hard, making it a versatile choice. Even so, owners must be sure to protect marble from water, spills, and stains.

Quartz countertops are fabricated from natural quartz, one of the hardest minerals found in the Earth, and small amounts of glass or metallic flecks are added to create variety, resulting in beautiful countertops. Other advantage of quartz is that it is a non-porous material, its texture does not allow bacteria to grow and resists against stains, protecting your family and making kitchen clean-up easy. For this reason, quartz countertops never need to be sealed.