Caesarstone Quartz, 4141 MIsty Carrera[/caption]
Quartz withstood almost everything in Consumer Reports’ recent tests of kitchen counters — stains, hot pots, abrasive pads, and knives — and unlike granite, it doesn’t need to be resealed. Its combination of beauty, durability, and easy maintenance makes it a great choice for busy kitchens.
Granite performed almost as well. But both materials are a bit pricey. Laminate is still the budget-friendly choice.
Those aren’t your only options. Consumer Reports stained, sliced, scratched, scorched, and nicked 14 materials from leading brands and found huge differences in performance. Almost everything stained bamboo counters. The grout between tiles also was easily stained.
Except for recycled glass, there was little difference in the materials’ performance among competing brands. So pick the material, then find the brand that offers the color or pattern you prefer at the best price.
Quartz. Pros: It mimics the look of stone yet needs less maintenance. Hot pots, serrated knives, abrasive pads, and most stains were no match for quartz, which is a combination of mineral, color, and resin. It comes in vibrant colors in addition to patterns that look like granite and marble. Cons: Edges and corners can chip, and you’ll need a pro to repair them. Rounded edges help.Granite. Pros: Each slab of this natural material is unique; rare colors and veining cost more. Heat, cuts, and scratches didn’t harm granite in Consumer Reports’ tests. Polished and matte finishes resisted most stains when properly sealed, so pick the look you prefer. Cons: Periodic resealing is needed to fend off stains. Like quartz, edges and corners can chip and must be professionally repaired.Soapstone, limestone, and marble. Pros: Soapstone isn’t as common as granite, and it’s superb at resisting heat damage. Small scratches can be repaired by sanding finely and applying mineral oil. Limestone and marble are classic materials. Limestone also has a natural-stone look without heavy veining or graining, and it resists heat. Cons: Soapstone nicks, cuts, and scratches easily, and some stains are too tough to be washed away. Limestone and marble also have those drawbacks, and heat damaged the marble.Laminate. Pros: Inexpensive, easy to install, and so much better-looking than you probably remember, thanks to new printing technology and decorative edges. Stains and heat didn’t damage the laminates Consumer Reports tested. Cons: Cutting directly on it easily and permanently damages laminate, so use a cutting board.Solid surfacing. Pros: Available in a variety of colors and patterns, it can be used for counters, sink, and backsplash, creating a seamless look. Like quartz, its color won’t vary much from the store sample. Solid surfacing is resistant to most stains, and small nicks and scratches can be repaired. Cons: It scratches and cuts easily, so a cutting board is a must.Recycled glass. Pros: Large shards give it a fun, contemporary look; finely ground glass makes it less busy. Most glass counters tested resisted stains, cuts, scratches, and heat. Cons: It’s the only material for which testers found a difference among brands. Cosentino’s Eco counters developed a thin crack during heat tests.Butcher block. Pros: It adds warmth and is easy to install and repair, but the finish makes a difference. Varnish improved stain resistance, but penetrating oils diminished it. Cons: Nicks and scratches can easily happen, though they can be sanded out.Consumer Reports writes columns, reviews, and ratings on cars, appliances, electronics, and other consumer goods. Previous stories can be found at www.consumerreports.org.
