If you've looked at many houses for sale, as some of us have, you'll see a variety of countertop materials. Laminate, Corian and Solid Surface countertops are all man-made. Granite and Marble
The Differences in Countertops
Dated: June 13 2024
Views: 67
If you've looked at many houses for sale, as some of us have, you'll see a variety of countertop materials. Laminate, Corian and Solid Surface countertops are all man-made. Granite and Marble are of course natural stone. Quartz is a combination of the two which combines natural quartz from crushed granite with binding resins and coloring agents to form a very hard surface. Which is best ... it depends!
Solid Surface Countertops -
Solid surface countertops are a blend of acrylic and polymers (plastic) and materials derived from stone and are poured or made into 1/2 inch sheets. There are many brands such as Corian (by DuPont) and Formica. Formica is usually made with plastic resins and paper and bonded to particle board or plywood. The upside to these countertops is that they are usually the most affordable, can be molded into matching sinks, come in many colors and don't have to be sealed. The downside is that they are not as scratch or stain resistant as granite or quartz.
Granite -
Granite is cut from natural stone slabs which makes each countertop unique in a variety of colors and veins. The upsides are that they are more heat, scratch and chemical resistant than Solid Surface countertops. The downside is that they are porous and need to be sealed to maintain their durability. Since they are not molded they may also have seams. The cost is greater than most other countertops at between $50 - $150 per square foot.
Quartz -
Quartz countertops rival Granite because they are tougher, not porous and do not need re-sealing. Because it is engineered it comes in uniform slabs and can be found in many varieties and colors and can even be made to look like natural stones such as marble. It comes from many name brand suppliers such as Silestone, Zodiac and Cambria and can be as expensive or more than granite. The upside is that it can be cleaned with hot water and is extremely resistant to scratches and stains. The downside is that it should not be used for outdoor kitchens because it will fade and yellow in sunlight.
Other less seen countertops are butcher block (which require sealing and oil treatments but can be sanded when needed), concrete, tile and stainless steel. The best one for you will depend on your budget, how you use them and your preferred appearance.
Leslie Gregory
Leslie Gregory has lived in the Sarasota/Bradenton area since 2003 and was also born here. Her father was transferred to the Chicagoland area where she lived for many years until she and her husb....
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Updated on September 21, 2026 3:55 PM UTC
© 2026 Florida Gulf Coast MLS (FGCMLS) Information deemed reliable, but not guaranteed. The IDX data relating to real estate for sale on this web site comes in part from the Florida Gulf Coast Multiple Listing Service. The information being provided is for consumers' personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.
All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. All properties are subject to prior sale, change or withdrawal. Neither listing broker(s) or information provider(s) shall be responsible for any typographical errors, misinformation, misprints and shall be held totally harmless. Listing(s) information is provided for consumer's personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. The data relating
