Best Countertop Material in Phoenix AZ

Material Selection

Kitchen Countertop Material Comparison

Granite Dude is not only the premier installer of granite countertops in the greater Phoenix area, but can also help our customers in installation of countertops in a wide variety of other materials. Below we have a list of the top materials that we install, as well as the unique pros and cons of each application:

Quartzite Countertops

Quartzite is quickly becoming a very popular material choice, especially for luxury projects. It is a natural stone and should not be confused with Quartz which is an engineered stone. It’s formed when quartz sandstone is exposed to high temperatures and pressure. These conditions re-crystallize the sand grains and silica cement that binds them. The result is a network of interlocking quartz grains of incredible strength and beauty.

Pro's

Durable: Quartzite is resistant to heat and water.
Beautiful: Quartzite has a unique, swirling grey and white design that can create an impressive look.
Easy to clean: Quartzite is easy to clean with soap and warm water.
More environmentally friendly than quartz.

Con's

Prone to scratches: Quartzite can be damaged by sharp objects like knives.
Expensive: Quartzite is an expensive material for countertops.
Porous: Quartzite is porous and can absorb chemicals deep into the stone.
Heavy: Quartzite is an extremely heavy material.

Granite Countertop

As the most popular rock for countertops, granite is often considered to be the premier slab type for kitchens and bathrooms. As a hard, natural igneous rock that is formed of quartz and orthoclase or mica, granite has the following strengths as well as some weaknesses:

Pro's

Granite countertops, as the most currently popular style, will add value to your property
Granite is a unique, one of a kind natural surface that features (when polished) an almost luminous look
Granite is easy to clean, simply use soap and hot water
Granite countertops tend to hold their value over other slabs
Granite is not adverse to heat, and can withstand the touch of a hot pan
Granite is a sanitary material, in fact it does not cultivate or host bacterial contamination
If treated properly, granite countertops can potentially outlast even the structure of a current home

Con's

As a purely naturally occurring rock, granite is not always uniform in look. Since every piece is 100% unique, obtaining a completely uniform look is impossible
High-end granite, and particularly rare pieces can be expensive
Granite is a very heavy material, and can sometimes require additional support when added to cabinets

Marble Countertop

Marble is another popular application for kitchen and bathroom countertops. As a hard, crystalline metamorphic rock resulting from the recrystallization of limestone, marble is a common alternative to granite and has the following strengths and weaknesses

Pro's

Con's

Engineered Stone Countertop (Quartz)

As a material that is becoming increasingly popular for countertops, engineered stone is a high-end quartz composite that comes in a wide variety of colors and styles. As with any other high end material, Engineered stone has some pro’s and con’s:

Pro's

Engineered stone is non-pourus, and as such, does not stain
Engineered stone is harder than granite, and will suffer from less accidental chipping
Periodic sealing is not required of engineered stone
It is available in a wide selection of colors and styles.

Con's

As a high end material, engineered stone is typically 10-20% more expensive than granite
It is an engineered product, so is not completely natural like granite or marble
Can not be cut to have unique, decorative edges like granite
Engineered Stone Countertops are not UV resistant and should not be used outdoors
Engineered Stone Countertops are not as heat resistant as natural stone materials and can be burned by pans or other high heat sources

Porcelain Countertop

Pro's

Lightweight, making it an excellent choice for fireplaces and showers
UV resistant, making it a great choice for outdoor use
Heat resistant and generally scratch resistant under normal conditions
Very strong and durable
Environmentally friendly as it is made from natural products versus quartz

Con's

Usually not full bodied, meaning that your edges around sinks will not display the surface color pattern
Material is thinner than traditional natural stone slabs making it more fragile and prone to chips and even cracking
Limited edge possibilities
Repairability is very low when chips happen
Fabrication is difficult, making it a more expensive choice

Onyx Countertop

Onyx is a very beautiful and cryptocrystalline material that is popular for use in both kitchens and bathrooms. Although often thought of as black, onyx comes in a wide variety of natural earthy colors that when polished can provide a radiant sheen that is difficult to obtain from other stones. Onyx has the following pro’s and con’s when applied to countertops:

Pro's

Onyx is extremely durable, and with care can last longer then other stones
Although Onyx is a high end material, it does not usually incur the same cost as some comparable materials such as granite or marble
The natural colors of Onyx make it a great finish for workshops and other earthy places
Onyx can be polished to a slightly translucent appearance that is particularly impressive under the correct lighting

Con's

While Onyx is durable, it is not as tough as marble or granite and can be scratched by knives or other sharp objects
Onyx lacks the stain resistance of some of the other higher end materials
Like travertine, onyx can be susceptible to acid based compounds like oranges or lemons
Onyx can be difficult to maintain and repair if damaged

Compact Sintered Stone (Neolith, Dekton, Lapitec)

Pro's

Lightweight, making it an excellent choice for tall fireplaces and showers
Lightweight, making it an excellent choice for tall fireplaces and showers
Heat resistant and generally scratch resistant under normal conditions
Very strong and durable
Environmentally friendly as it is made from natural products versus quartz
Usually available in a thicker slab making it less prone to breakage

Con's

Most are not full bodied, meaning that your edges around sinks will not display the surface color pattern
Material is thinner than traditional natural stone slabs making it more fragile and prone to chips and even cracking
Limited edge possibilities
Repairability is very low when chips happen
Fabrication is difficult, making it a more expensive choice
Products are new to the market so there could be unknowns about its long-term durability and use

Material Options

Granite-Granite is a highly durable, beautiful stone used for any and all countertop applications. While granite is sourced from more than 50 countries, the majority used in the US comes from Brazil and India.
Marble-Known as the most elegant of all stone produced by Mother Nature. Marble is also the softest of the countertop applications and will be highly prone to scratching, etching, and staining. Despite those properties, marble has been used in Europe for thousands of years for countertops and has gained a lot of momentum here in the US.
Quartzite is also a beauty of nature and has been one of the most popular applications for countertops in the last few years. Most quartzites are very hard stones which add to the durability but slow down the fabrication process. Many quartzites have a similar look to marbles but will be much less prone to scratching, etching, and staining.

Engineered Quartz has gained a lot of popularity for countertops over the last several years. It is made up of 50-60% grinded up granite and 40-50% resins and epoxies to create the colors of the slab. Because of this, quartz is not UV safe making it a choice for indoor surfaces only. Quartz tends to be stain and scratch resistant in most cases and a lot of the colors are designed to look like marble, utilizing neutral colors including white, gray and beige.
Porcelain is another option to consider for countertops, slabs are created by printing a high resolution of a digital image onto natural stone. Porcelain is 3/8” thick, so all edges would need to be mitered to get the finished look. Porcelain will be more prone to chipping as it is only 3/8” thick making it more fragile. This material is best suited for outdoor projects and wall applications.