Types of Countertop Materials: 13 Options Compared

The main types of countertop materials fall into three groups: natural stone, engineered or man-made surfaces, and other materials. Each group balances durability, maintenance, and cost differently.

• Natural stone: granite, marble, soapstone, quartzite

• Engineered and man-made: quartz, solid surface, laminate, porcelain, recycled glass

• Other materials: stainless steel, butcher block, concrete, tile

Which Countertop Material Is Best for You?

Start with what matters most in your kitchen, then match it to a material below.

Popular Stone Countertop Materials

Angi surveyed 8,100 customers about their countertop projects. Of those, 44.6% requested granite and 29.3% chose quartz.

1. Granite

Granite is a heat-resistant natural stone, and every slab has a one-of-a-kind pattern. Clean it with soap and water, and reseal it periodically because the stone is porous.

The average granite countertop costs $3,250. Edges can be cut square, beveled, ogee, or bullnose. Review the cost of granite countertops and your countertop edge options, then reach out to a professional countertop installer near you.

Pros

• Strong heat resistance

• Unique pattern in every slab

• Added resale value

• Long lifespan

Cons

• Periodic sealing required

• Lower durability than engineered stone

• Difficult repairs and color matching

• Challenging installation

Best fit: Choose granite if you cook often and want a durable natural stone that boosts resale value.

2. Quartz

Quartz is engineered from natural quartz and a resin binder. It is nonporous, so it needs no sealant, and it holds up to daily use. Quartz is very hard, so protect your knife blades with a cutting board.

Quartz countertops range from $3,000 to $7,500, and you can add colorants and finishes. See current quartz countertop prices, then read our guide comparing quartz and granite.

Pros

• High durability

• Nonporous, easy-clean surface

• Extended manufacturer warranties

• Wide range of colors and finishes

Cons

• High cost

• Heavy, difficult installation

• Vulnerable to heat

• Not suitable for outdoor UV exposure

Best fit: Choose quartz if you want a low-maintenance surface for a busy family kitchen.

3. Marble

Marble is prized for its veining, often white with blue, gray, or green lines, and also gray or taupe. It stays cool, which makes it ideal for rolling pastry. Marble absorbs liquids, stains, scratches, and etches, so seal it and wipe spills quickly.

A 50-square-foot marble countertop averages $3,000.

Pros

• Attractive natural veining

• Many design options

• Strong resale value

• Lifespan up to 100 years

Cons

• High cost

• Regular sealing required

• Limited heat resistance

• Prone to etching and scratches

Best fit: Choose marble if you want a luxury look and bake often at a cool work surface.

4. Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is nonporous, long-lasting, and cleans up with soap and water. It resists stains completely, though it shows fingerprints, dents, and scratches. A 30-square-foot stainless steel countertop costs $4,500.

Pros

• Relatively easy installation

• Easy cleanup

• Stain-proof surface

• Fully recyclable

Cons

• High upfront cost

• Prone to dents and scratches

• Limited color options

• Shows fingerprints

Best fit: Choose stainless steel if you want a professional-grade, hygienic surface for heavy cooking.

5. Laminate

Laminate is stain-resistant, low-maintenance, and budget-friendly. It mimics the look of stone and wood across near-unlimited designs. Laminate is vulnerable to heat, so use a trivet under hot pans.

Laminate installation runs $850 to $1,750. For more affordable updates, see our budget-friendly countertop ideas.

Pros

• Budget-friendly price

• Stain-resistant, low-maintenance surface

• Near-unlimited designs

• DIY-friendly installation

Cons

• Vulnerable to water and heat

• Difficult to repair

• Shorter lifespan

• Lower durability

Best fit: Choose laminate if you want the lowest upfront cost or a rental-friendly update.

6. Soapstone

Soapstone has a soft, talc-like feel. It scratches more easily than granite or quartz, but it is less likely to crack. Soapstone is nonporous and resists stains, bacteria, and heat, and it comes in blue, gray, and green tones.

Plan on monthly oiling during the first year to build a patina. Soapstone countertops cost $2,700 to $4,200.

Pros

• Less likely to crack

• Nonporous, antibacterial surface

• Strong heat resistance

• Simple installation

Cons

• Scratches easily

• High upfront cost

• Limited color range

• Regular oiling required

Best fit: Choose soapstone if you want a heat-resistant natural stone with a soft, matte look.

7. Butcher Block and Wood

Butcher block brings a warm, natural look and works with oak, walnut, cherry, or maple, plus a range of stains. Wood is porous, so it needs sealing to resist moisture. The average butcher block countertop costs $3,750.

Pros

• Cost-effective price

• Simple to repair and resurface

• Long lifespan with maintenance

• Versatile wood and stain options

Cons

• Prone to scratches

• Limited heat resistance

• Monthly sealing required

• Susceptible to stains

Best fit: Choose butcher block if you want a warm, eco-friendly surface you can sand and refinish.

8. Concrete

Concrete is durable, resists chipping, and takes custom colors. It can crack if corners bear weight or the house settles, though minor repairs are relatively easy. Concrete needs regular sealing to guard against stains.

Concrete countertop installation runs $5,000 to $10,000.

Pros

• Lasts decades with maintenance

• Highly customizable

• Strong heat resistance

• Pro-repairable minor damage

Cons

• Susceptible to staining

• Prone to cracking and chipping

• High installation cost

• Heavy; often needs cabinet reinforcement

Best fit: Choose concrete if you want a custom, heat-resistant surface and plan to maintain it.

9. Solid Surface

Solid surface, also called manufactured stone or Corian, blends acrylic or polyester resin with mineral dust and pigment. DuPont introduced Corian in 1967. The material is nonporous, offers a seamless look, and supports a waterfall edge.

Solid surface is not heat resistant. It costs $1,500 to $9,000, and Corian averages about $4,000. To compare man-made and quarried options, read our guide to engineered vs. natural stone.

Pros

• Less likely to crack or chip than natural stone

• Nonporous, water- and stain-resistant

• Very low maintenance

• More affordable than natural stone

Cons

• Vulnerable to heat and UV

• Difficult to DIY

• Lower resale value

• Prone to scratches and etching

Best fit: Choose solid surface if you want a seamless, low-maintenance look at a mid-range price.

10. Tile

Tile countertops use porcelain, ceramic, or natural-stone tiles, and the look is making a comeback in kitchens and bathrooms. Granite tile costs $20 to $25 less per square foot than slab. Porcelain tile installation runs about $1,930.

Pros

• Budget-friendly versus slab

• Heat resistant, though a trivet still helps

• Many design choices

• Easy to fix by swapping a tile

Cons

• Difficult to clean

• Grout that stains and harbors bacteria

• Prone to chips and cracks

• Textured, not smooth like slab

Best fit: Choose tile if you want a low-cost, repairable surface for a kitchen or bathroom.

11. Quartzite

Quartzite is a natural stone formed when sandstone meets extreme heat and pressure, according to This Old House. It is not the same as engineered quartz.

It rates 7 to 8 on the Mohs hardness scale, well above marble, and it resists heat, scratches, and etching. Quartzite is porous, so seal it every 6 to 12 months.

Installed quartzite costs $95 to $275 per square foot, according to Bob Vila.

Pros

• Very high hardness, Mohs 7 to 8

• Strong heat and etch resistance

• Marble-like appearance

• Durable for daily use

Cons

• Sealing every 6 to 12 months

• High installed cost

• Porous natural stone

• Professional installation needed

Best fit: Choose quartzite if you want the look of marble with far greater durability.

12. Porcelain

Porcelain slab is a sintered, dense ceramic made from fired clay and minerals. When glazed, it is nonporous and needs no sealing, and it resists heat, scratches, and stains. Porcelain is UV-stable, so it suits both indoor and outdoor kitchens, according to LX Hausys.

Porcelain slabs are thin, often a quarter to a half inch, so hire an experienced fabricator. Installed costs sit in a moderate range and depend on the fabricator, per Bob Vila.

Pros

• Nonporous when glazed, no sealing

• Resists heat, scratches, and stains

• UV-stable for indoor and outdoor use

Cons

• Thin slab that needs a skilled fabricator

• Cost that varies with the fabricator

Best fit: Choose porcelain if you want one durable material for both indoor and outdoor counters.

13. Recycled Glass

Recycled glass countertops set crushed glass in a resin or cement binder. They contain 75% to 100% recycled glass by weight, which gives them a strong eco appeal, according to SlabWise. Cement-based binders are porous and require sealing every one to three years, while resin-based binders need none, according to SlabWise.

One caveat: binder manufacturing can emit greenhouse gases, so the eco benefit is not absolute. Installed recycled glass costs $60 to $155 per square foot, according to Forbes Home.

Pros

• 75% to 100% recycled glass by weight

• Strong eco-friendly appeal

• Resin binders that need no sealing

Cons

• Cement binders that require sealing every one to three years

• Binder production that can emit greenhouse gases

• Higher installed cost than laminate or tile

Best fit: Choose recycled glass if eco-friendly materials are your top priority.

Cost to Install a Countertop

Countertop installation averages $1,840 to $4,385, with a full range of $400 to $10,675. Ceramic runs $1 to $15 per square foot, and natural stone starts at $70 per square foot.

For a full breakdown by material and labor, see our guide to the cost to install countertops.

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro

You can save $10 to $30 per square foot by installing a countertop yourself. Countertops can weigh more than 200 pounds, so the work is demanding and calls for a helper. For heavy stone slabs, hire a local countertop installer to protect your cabinets and your back.