Shannon Poe says:

I'm a kitchen and bath designer in Indianapolis and our company is also a certified Corian fabricator. I hate that Corian (and all solid surfaces) have sort of been seen as a "downgrade" with the onset of quartz products and the constantly decreasing cost of natural stones. The new colors are awesome and I hope to see solid surface rebound to become a "go to" again! Thanks for a great post.

Paul Anater says:

Thanks for your comment. I was always one of those designers who pooh-poohed Corian until i started following the kitchen design scene in Europe. Add to that some of Corian's new colors (such as the one pictured above) and I'm becoming a proponent of the whole category. I'm convinced that it's poised to make a big comeback in the US.

Fiorella Design says:

Paul, Thank you for posting my project as your first image! I too love corian for the right project. I have used it many times on really contemporary projects in all white.

Becky Harris says:

THANK YOU for this ideabook. It's so nice to see granite alternatives. I love soapstone; I believe Julia Child used it.

This week, thanks to The Buzz Board and Shelly Amoroso, I discovered this honed Lagos Azul Limestone, which looks beautiful:

http://www.houzz.com/buzz/18222/Anybody-know-what-this-counter-surface-i---

Also Paul, can you tell me a little bit about Caesarstone? I hear about it a lot lately but I don't really know exactly what it is. Thanks! Becky

Patti Lever says:

Don't forget that you can treat your soapstone counters with mineral oil. It makes them darker and gives it that ages look. I work for a granite and stone countertop fabricator and I love soapstone. It only comes in black and dark green. I have seen a very dark grey only once but when we oiled it it was a charcoal color, very beautiful. I have dark green soapstone in my kitchen and I have not oiled it as I prefer the un-oiled look. It scratches and you can "dent" soapstone but it's a look I really love.

My next kitchen will be in white venatino marble on the island with absolute black honed on the perimeter cabinets.

Beautiful pictures!!

Burton Architecture says:

For surfaces such as islands, where people are likely to hang out, I think it is important to use a material such as wood. This is a place people will be resting their arms/elbows and it is best to provide a warm, inviting material such as wood. Here's an example from a Kitchen I designed.

Great Divide Builders says:

Thanks for such a great ideabook! I would love to know your thoughts on sandstone. I recently saw a sandstone slab at a granite yard and instantly fell in love! The earthy colors and the natural patterns in the slab would look great in my own kitchen. However, I cant seem to find much information on sandstone as a kitchen countertop material on the internet and havent actually seen it used anywhere. Do you have any information (pros and cons) that you could share?

Burton Architecture says:

Sandstone is a VERY soft stone. It is an incredibly beautiful stone, but I wouldn't recommend using it in a Kitchen or other area where it may get stained or have point impacts.

glickwoman says:

Thank you for this post. I am about to renovate and was thinking just this evening that I may not want granite in the kitchen. (I love the marble, but am afraid of the staining...)

Mal Corboy Design says:

Hi Paul a very informative posting , I am a designer from down under and love Corian it is by far and away the best counter top for modern cutting edge design which i see its starting to take off in the States.
I am also a big fan of Stainless steel as it looks stunning when mixed with timber veneer cabinets.
I have attached a couple of images for comment.

Cheers Mal Corboy

Mal Corboy Design says:

Hi photo up the right way this time.

j r says:

I've been trying to decide upon a countertop for my kitchen renovation for months now. One thing I decided - there is no 'right' decision. You really have to think about your space, your lifestyle, your goals for the room (and if you are so fortunate, each station within it). Its a blessing and a curse to have so many options and I've seriously considered everyone of the above choices during the past months.

I decided to go with exactly what I THOUGHT I didn't want - granite - but its right for this family, in this kitchen, at this time! Next decision- lighting!

@burtonarchitect - great point regarding warmth on the surface ppl will lean on!

Between Naps on the Porch says:

My fav is marble, definitely marble. I just love the brightness it brings to the kitchen.

oldskoolboarder says:

We just did a remodel on our A-frame Eichler. Our kitchen was revamped w/ 11-ply maple cabinets. We looked at various options and REALLY wanted to go with concrete. We ended up using Formica which offered us MANY different color options and much cheaper than concrete, paperstone, soapstone, etc. We even chose 2 different colors (orange and green) for different areas. Very happy w/ the results, surprised that more homeowners don't consider that. Also, if the counter gets damaged, it really isn't that much to get a whole new counter.

sarahe says:

What about slate? We are building a new house and designing our kitchen countertops with slate from Vermont. I would love to see a design example of that!

anneadam says:

We also are using slate in our new kitchen - in this case black from Maine. If you like the honed look it's a great choice and comes in a few colors as well. But, I understand that slate from other countries can be easily stained, softer, etc. so you need to be careful about where it comes from.

scaplan says:

Lucky for me, I remodeled my bathroom before my kitchen. I went with ceramic tile floors and granite counter tops. I SUPER hate them both. They get way too cold and I like to lean on my counter when I'm getting ready. Plus, they are too hard to clean. When I did the kitchen, I chose laminate flooring and high definition laminate counter tops. LOVE them! Now I can't wait to rip the fancy stuff out of the bathroom. Don't fall prey to a trend if it doesn't suit your lifestyle!

Paul Anater says:

Maryjo: That kitchen is stunning! It picked itself to be the lead image.

Becky: Lagos Azul Limestone is really beautiful. So far as I know it's the only dark green limestone available. It hails from Portugal and it is some truly beautiful stuff. Like all limestones, it looks best when it's honed. Like is geological cousin marble, you'll have to embrace the fact that it ages! Caesarstone is a brand of quartz composite material. It comes in a more adventurous palette than most quartz products and it also hones beautifully. There are also two embossed patterns of Caesartstone available and they are stunning. Check out Caesarstone Motivo: http://www.caesarstoneus.com/catalog/collection_by_finish.cfm

Patticake: Thanks for the reminder about mineral oil. I'm pretty partial to how it looks when it's left un-oiled but I have a feeling most people will have better luck living with it when it's oiled.

Burtonarchitect: Stunning kitchen and thanks for jumping right on that sandstone kitchen. It's rarely used for surfaces for a very good reason!

Glickwoman: Check out Caesarstone's Carerra Mist. It's a pattern of quartz that resembles Carerra loosely but it's practically stain and scratch proof.

Malcor: I love your eye and your design sensibilities. More please!

Janetreuther: You're absolutely correct, there is no right answer to your quest for a counter material, only what works for you in the situation you're in right now. Thanks for your comment.

Susan: I'm with you all the way. White marbles have a glow to them and when they're honed they bring a warmth no other material can match.

Oldskoolboarder: Thanks for your endorsement of laminates. I don't have a problem with them at all and they don't deserve to get the short shrift they do. I couldn't find any decent photos of a new laminate counter in the liubrary here but had I been able to, laminates would have made this list most definitely.

Sarahe: I have never seen slate used for an actual counter. I'd love some more information on it.

Anneadam: It's always been my impression that slate is too brittle a stone to use for counters, what information am I missing? It sounds terrific.

Scaplan: You're right, there is no right answer that will work for everybody. Thanks for your comment.

bconard says:

I too would love to see a picture of slate used as a countertop. I would like to learn more about paperstone, interesting. I have had Corian countertops in my kitchen for 10 years and would do it again in a minute. The molded Corian sinks are fabulous.
We have done jobs were the soapstone came in drastically different from slab to slab. Some slabs were deep black with gorgeous veining, others were a drab grey. Great article, thank you!

Paul Anater says:

You are welcome, thank you for your comment. Paperstone's catching on but I think it suffers from its limited palette. When you're working with soapstone, or any stone for that matter, sequentially numbered slabs are really important.

sarahe says:

Here is an article with some images and information about slate countertops. Thanks for the responses, I'm pretty sure I have my husband sold on the idea. :)
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/pardonourdust/images/2007/08/24/slate_2.jpg&imgrefurl=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/pardonourdust/2007/08/amazing-slate.html&h=302&w=300&sz=29&tbnid=eFz6yr8sv9aDbM:&tbnh=116&tbnw=115&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dslate%2Bkitchen%2Bcountertops&zoom=1&q=slate+kitchen+countertops&hl=en&usg=__oja8d2ChiGMwzzPR-AClJawoPcg=&sa=X&ei=r6biTK60MYGdlgfg2YnvAw&ved=0CDAQ9QEwBA

Paul Anater says:

Great! Thanks for that article. Susan's a friend of mine and I had no idea that she'd written about slate before. I'm going straight to the source for more information!

Mal Corboy Design says:

Hi Paul
Thank you for that there is more at www.malcorboy.com.
Regards
Mal

Paul Anater says:

I really love your aesthetic Mal. Wow!

Becky Harris says:

Thanks Paul!

Paul Anater says:

You're very welcome Becky. Did you check out Motivo? I have a fantasy bathroom in my mind that features that Motivo crocodile on the walls.

oldskoolboarder says:

Sorry, I should've posted pix to make my point stronger. ;)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/9872286@N03/4967047052/in/set-72157622358542599/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/9872286@N03/4967037748/in/set-72157622358542599/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/9872286@N03/4967050726/in/set-72157622358542599/

Paul Anater says:

Now THAT'S what you do with an Eichler. Your home is absolutely beautiful.

oldskoolboarder says:

Much thanks Paul. We (w/ our architect's help) did our best to keep the Eichler aesthetic but update as much as we could. Every surface was touched and only 1 one wall was moved. Love the results.

Paul Anater says:

Where in California are you? Eichlers are my favorite part of metro San Francisco.

oldskoolboarder says:

Menlo Park. We are lucky to be in a neighborhood w/ handful of originals left, some Stengs nearby. We are in a small cul de sac of 3 similar build 5 br A frames. So far, no tear downs among the 3.

Paul Anater says:

You live in an amazing part of the world. Stroll around downtown Palo Alto for me some time.

Tanya Shively says:

I love cast concrete, recycled glass and Paperstone. I recently used cast concrete for a powder room that really became a conversation starter in the home.
I've also used a unique product manufactured locally that is made from recycled auto glass and is very unusual butr durable.

Paul Anater says:

Is that counter in the second photo made from the recycled auto glass you mentioned?

Stephanie Southwick says:

Great article Paul...as always. Obviously your talking about something close to my heart. :)
Here's an article about a lady who chose Vermont Slate for her kitchen countertops...http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/magazine/articles/2010/06/27/what_i_did_for_local/

Also, here's a link to a Slab Sunday on my blog about Black Slate. The pictures aren't great, but there are quite a few countertops.
http://www.granitegurus.com/2010/09/slab-sunday-black-slate.html

Stephanie Southwick says:

Oh, also I'm smitten by that Azul Macauba bathroom. That is how amazing slabs like that should be displayed.

Paul Anater says:

Thanks Steph! The slate articles are a great addition to this conversation. I need to write a follow up Ideabook to this one with even more alternatives to granite.

I've actually stood in the Blue Macauba bathroom and that photo barely does it justice.

midwifekim says:

Yes- alternatives to granite! We just finished our kitchen with ECO by Cosentino. It's a quartz composite looking material made from recycled porcelean, glass, and bound with corn resin. We love it!

From New Kitchen

From New Kitchen

Just Johnna says:

Yay! Paul's in the house! I'm still reading your blog though I haven't commented for months.

I wanted to do recycled glass terrazzo counters. Icestone has some beautiful colors, and I like that Vetrazzo's local. But in the end I didn't feel confident about the install process, so I went with the more common caeserstone in a terrazzo-like pattern/color, for half the cost and installers who've worked with it on many projects.

Right now I'm looking at new plywood subcounters, being in the middle of the new counter process. I hope I'll be happy with the finished 2.25" thick look. Counters seem to be going thinner.

paolovangeles says:

the use of glass as a countertop is very common, but with the innovation of painting it on its back side gives it that interesting twist on it. I love the idea.

dogwood2 says:

Hi Paul,

Thank you for your informative advice, as well as beautiful pictures.
I am just about to have a Carerra marble vanity top installed this Friday. The concrete aggregate (24x24” terrazzo-like tiles) floor is done. Should I seal both the marble and flooring, in your opinion?

tygreen says:

what about honed French Limestone/ looks great not much harder than marble to care for....thoughts?

anneadam says:

Regarding the question about slate being brittle: it is so strong that, unlike granite, the overhang on our bar will not need any supports. For strength and stain resistance, think about the tops of lab tables - slate. And if you, like my friend, remember carving a word in the slate in your high school science lab, it can easily be rubbed out.

bhmoore says:

I built my house almost 4 years ago. Unfortunately it was a perfect storm - granite prices were coming down and the surfaces I really wanted were still quite expensive. Couldn't convince the hubby. I would love, love, love soapstone, concrete - or now the lovely paperstone. Too soon to change the very busy, shiny stuff in my kitchen - but I'm dreaming of something dark, honed and AGED. Thanks to all for the info in this post - I'll be day dreaming all day. Paul - this is the best post EVER!

mmanion says:

The second photo with a concrete counter top is actually (from the looks of it) a product called IceStone, which is recycled glass bits mixed into concrete. They also have a large variety of colors to choose from!

beutfam says:

We just put a Corian countertop in our bathroom and I absolutely love it. It looks great, doesn't show dirt, isn't too cold, etc. It's really beautiful and it will last for a long time. I'm so happy we took back the precut granite counter we had bought at first and bought the Corian instead. We got it custom made from Lowe's and everything about the experience was great.

Shirley Corwin says:

I renovated my kitchen last year in my 1852 house. I used soapstone as that was what they might have used in that period. I can't tell you enough how much in love I am with my soapstone. It has a matt finish and doesn't jump out at you like granite. It will age beautifully and become part of my old home. It is nonporous and will not stain. Even acid will not hurt it (they use it in chemistry labs!) However, it does scratch but the scratches seem to disappear and become part of the look of the stone. I LOVE it. If you have any questions, just contact me.

Paul Anater says:

I'm amazed by the response to this Ideabook, it's pretty clear that people want to see some alternatives to granite counters.

Midwifekim: I LOVE your kitchen! It's really beautiful, you did a terrific job. Brava!

Jonna: Hey! It's good to see you hanging around on Houzz too. Did you see the results of that Eichler renovation up there?

Paolo: I love back-painted glass on a wall, but seeing it as a counter is really distinctive.

Dogwood: Your bath is taking shape nicely, you picked great finishes. Sealing porous stones is never a bad idea. Look around for something called Nanosealer though. If your fabricator doesn't use it then look around for someone who does. Nanosealers are often applied by independent, third party companies.

Tygreen: French Limestone, like marble, will age into place. That's something I like frankly. Limestones are nearly impossible to keep looking pristine over time. Some people like this and it drives some people crazy. Just know going in that the material will age.

Anneadam: I have been schooled in the ways of slate since yesterday, believe me! See? Even the designers who put together these Ideabooks are here to learn new things too. :)

Bhmoore: Thank you, what a kind thing to say.

Mmanion: I thought it was Icestone when I first saw that photo too, but the person who owns the photo identified it as a site-made concrete counter with blue glass in it. Icestone is pretty neat stuff. They make a green-colored won that uses chopped up Coke bottles as the aggregate. I love it.

Beutfam: Thanks for that story, I'm glad to hear you're having a good experience at Lowe's.

Paul Anater says:

Scorwin: Your comment posted when I was responding to everybody else. I'm thrilled to hear that you love your soapstone counters. I am a huge fan of that material and really, nothing else fits a 19th Century home quite as well.

cmarquardt1 says:

I am also a huge fan of Corian. I have it in my bathrooms & kitchen & it is really hardworking! I love that the Corian can give you a certain look without overpowering the room, like granite tends to do. I do like granite in certain settings, but I think in the next few years you will find that it will be "out". I also love marble & can envision it in my kitchen in the future! Thanks for the great ideabook.

Paul Anater says:

You are welcome! I agree with you. While granite will never go "out" I think it's going to suffer a bit for its popularity over the next few years.

Betsy Culver says:

Sheldon Slate Products Inc. out of N.Y. (sheldonslate.com) has some beautiful honed slate countertop material. I am a designer and investigated this material for my own home in Arizona. Unforutnately it was not available locally and having it shipped was cost prohibitive for myself. It is a beautiful material especially for a mission style home and come is grey, green, black and a dark purple. The company was very easy to deal with over the phone and sent me samples and a quote.
bculver

Paul Anater says:

Thanks for the information B, I'm bookmarking it for later reference. Now I'm obsessed with using slate in a project of my own.

dancingfish says:

So nice to see so many alternatives to granite. (which I am not a fan of in kitchens)

Leah Bonk says:

I would love a concrete counter top in my kitchen. Unfortunately, living in Niagara Falls, there doesn't seem to be anyone to do it. It's difficult doing anything 'outside the Home Depot box' around here.

Paul Anater says:

Dancingfish: Thanks for your comment!

Dollfacebonk: Sometimes you have to dig a little deeper but the reward is sweeter for the digging. Here's an outfit in Rochester: http://www.upstateincrete.com/

Not exactly Niagara Falls but close. Closer still is this company in Tonawanda: http://www.concreteinnovationscorp.com/index.html

Good luck!

Leah Bonk says:

Niagara Falls, Canada. :(

atieno says:

I am so glad you highlighted 'non-granite' countertops. When I was ready to get new countertops, I debated between soapstone and marble. I eventually decided on a carrara white marble. Several fabricators would not work with me. The one who installed it made me sign a document that pretty much said 'I would not be pissed off if it looked different in a few months'. I love how they are holding up, and I am OK with them developing a patina. And despite my kitchen being all-white, they still make quite the statement.

casacooper.blogspot.com

eglantine4 says:

Very interesting ideas! I'd like to add a couple more to the discussion: Eco-terr slabs and squak mountain stone. We will be using both in our new kitchen. Eco-Terr is a cement product with small pebbles throughout. Since it is made in a large block, then cut into slabs, more of the aggregate appears at the surface than in most cast-in-place concrete I've seen. It has a more natural look (stone) than the concretes-with-glass aggregate, which we also like. The price is competitive, and the people at Coverings Etc. were great to deal with directly.

We had a hard time finding people with experience with squak mountain stone, but would love to hear before it is actually ordered! It has a concrete aesthetic but is much lighter in wieght; it is a sort of paper-crete. Recycled paper, resin, fly ash... My understanding is that, like some other materials mentioned, its use is reflected in its surface over time. I lived with a sample next to my sink for a few months, spilled things on it and some do show. Not for someone who likes a pristine look--but we like the matte finish and the fact that you can see some of the paper pieces where the slab is cut.

One other material we looked at is EnviroSlab. It is a resin with recycled glass aggregate. Looks like the concrete with glass but is lighter and requires less maintenance than concrete. Easy to create your own mix online.

I could post pictures when the kitchen is done if there is any interest.
Thanks for the ideas!

Fine Art & Portraits by Laurel says:

Congrats on an informative article. I've never seen so many comments on one. White marble! Are you kidding? You'll see the memory of every glass you ever set on it. This is not lovely aging. In Israel we use medium-colored marbles in the kitchen. They're gorgeous and you don't see the stains. Wood look great, but is very unsanitary in a short time.

adele gargano says:

Also, love Carrera Marble. Since it was not in my budget--I went with White Zeus Silestone. The pure white is really nice against walnut cabinets and white beadboard backsplash. I also removed all the upper cabinets and put in open shelving. I am loving my old kitchen all over again. Granite is not the only option. Nice post.

nikki_mccormick says:

I love to see sustainable materials used as much as possible. The Paperstone is an excellent choice, as is wood if it comes from reclaimed sources. Thanks for sharing the wide array of choices available to green renovators and builders today!
Nikki
DirectBuy

eskala says:

how much does soapstone run per sqft installed generally? We were looking at Piertra Cardosa granite, but it's expensive ($100sqft range)

patscats2 says:

I love the first three kitchens, but then it gets way too modern for my taste. Thanks for sharing these.

eskala says:

continuing my question...any recommendations on something that is dark grey, fairly uniform, honed and at/under $75sqft? We are looking for the look of soapstone.

alliebean says:

When we renovated the kitchen in our old house we went with Corian countertops. I loved the look, but a word to the wise, if you go with a darker color (ours was a dark gray), scratches happen very easily and are quite noticeable. The good thing is that they can be sanded out, but it was hard for me to see scratches show up so quickly in our brand new countertops. Great idea book though! Would love a follow-up!

Kit Murphy says:

I've been following countertop developments for a long time, looking for a good granite alternative. One of may favs that isn't mentioned here is, in fact, granite, but it looks nothing like the regular sort. It is flamed; the surface is textured and the finish matte, so you get the durability of granite without the ho-hum, everybody-has-it look. My lovely neighbor and dear friend put Venetian Lido in his kitchen, which is the same stone I had also picked. His kitchen is pictured below.



You can also see closer shots of it at venezian.com, but it's hard to tell how really great the texture is without touching it...

Kit Murphy says:

Ok, the link above doesn't take you to the picture. Try this one instead:

http://www.houzz.com/photos/52701/Lovell-Residence-modern-kitchen-san-francisco

KBL Design Center says:

As a kitchen/bath designer, our store sells approximately 1/3 each granite, quartz & Corian. I've had Corian and granite, with Corian being my favorite. My next kitchen will have soapstone as I love the natural, durable look. Great photos!

drmjoseph says:

Thanks for this much needed info on alternatives to granite.

vdavis says:

We are installing a "leathered" absolute black granite on our perimeter counters and a white fantasy quartz on our island. The leathered finish on the granite subdues it (no shine) and is really beautiful. The white fantasy quartz looks like a carrera marble just with more of the gray/black markings in the white.

Jess Dennis says:

Excellent article! Thank you for the easy-to-understand breakdown of all of the different materials out there. Thank you thank you thank you!!!

wolfgang80 says:

Eskala: The stoneyards in Southern California that I've visited had soapstone slabs for about $30-$35/sf. I was quoted $25-$35/sf for fabrication.

aeamratlal says:

I like nearly every one of these options. We went with quartz as a feature in our previous kitchen reno, and will use it for all counters in the design of the kitchen for our new house. I like it b/c it is cool to the touch, making it quite good for pastry -- but it also holds up well to wear and tear, and doesn't require sealing. We did consider corian for the new kitchen -- I love the look of the bright white, especially -- but I didn't want to give up the coolness. Marble, as much as I like it, was not an option for us.

Kristin Potenti says:

We are in the process of installing concrete countertops in our kitchen. We're also doing our bathroom sink out of concrete. I can't wait to stain it!

Paul Anater says:

Again, I am overwhelmed by this response. I'd say this Ideabook needs a follow up or two. Thanks!

Dollface: Grrr. I'm looking through my Canadian contacts, the closest I can find is Oakville but I know that's not really close.

Atieno: You are someone after my own heart. Your kitchen looks great!

Eglantine: I have heard of Squak Mountain Stone and I've been in touch with them but I don't know anybody who has lived with it. And yes, I would love to see your photos when your project's complete.

Laurelmurals: I've never seen this many comments on Houzz before either. And yes, white marble. Some friends and I rented a house in southern Italy two summers ago and its kitchen had 150-year-old Carrera marble counters. I have never seen something so beautiful in my life. I love to cook and preparing food on something that had that kind of history was an honor. That my own attempts at mastering Neapolitan cooking added to that counter's character was humbling and exhilarating at the same time. Like I said in the first place, it's not for everybody. With that said, I'd love to see some light marble counters such as what you describe. Have any photographs? It sounds really beautiful.

Adele: Thanks! I love the idea of white counters being set against walnut cabinetry, regardless of the material. Your kitchen sounds beautiful.

Nikki: Thanks for weighing in. I agree, it's good that sustainable options are becoming so mainstream.

Eskala: The price of natural stone can vary wildly from place to place. Your location will play a role in your final cost. In my experience it comes in somewhere around where better granites do and that's pushing up toward that $100 price point. You might do better with a Silestone. Silestone's Grey Expo ins in their lowest price point and it's available in what Silestone calls a "leather" finish. Caesarstone has a few grey colors that are available in a honed finish as well. Caesarstone's "Raven" comes to mind immediately.

Patscats: Thanks for your comment. I like modern stuff as much as I like traditional designs and it was a challenge to get a mix together for this Ideabook. Don't let my modern inclusions keep you away!

Alliebean: You are correct. Darker colors of solid surface materials will leave a white scratch with relative ease. Scratch a sample with a key before you buy it to see how a solid surface color responds to being scratched.

Kimtu: There are a number of specialty finishes for granite that are coming onto the market but I couldn't find any decent photos of them. Flamed is a great one as is Leather. But my favorite is a finish the industry calls Brushed. That Brushed finish transforms the most mundane granite into something utterly new.

Callisondesigner: My next kitchen's going to have with Carerra or soapstone, I can't decide which. Maybe both!

Drmjoseph: You are welcome.

Vdavis: Your kitchen plan sounds fantastic. Who makes White Fantasy Quartz?

Jessdennis: You are welcome!

Wolfgang: Thanks for that info. Are they retail or trade prices?

Aeamratlal: Thanks for your comment, I like hearing stories of people who've had good experiences.

Kayten: I'll bet! Please post some photos when your project's complete.

maison21 says:

ABG- anything but granite! with you on carrera marble as my number one choice- so gorgeous, particularly when honed, and like you, i think the patina it acquires with age to be a bonus.

congrats on your overwhelming response to this post, too!

snarkymama says:

Great post! We are building a custom home in Texas, and we are coming close to the point of picking countertops. We have allowances in our budget for granite in kitchen, utility and 4 1/2 baths, plus laminate in a craft room. I'm curious - could you list all of your options in order of general price point?

Thanks for all the great info!

Paul Anater says:

Thanks Christian! It's good to see you in da Houzz. Sorry, I couldn't restrain myself.

garymiles says:

Is the Paperstone absorbent? What is the cost of Paperstone compared to Granite? What is the cost of painted glass compared to Granite and do they claim to use recycled glass?

mcgrathinnola says:

Thanks for all the additional ideas. I have fallen out of love with granite in the last few years. Down here in New Orleans where our homes are being completely renovated or rebuilt EVERYONE is using granite . Going from neighbor to neighbor one feels like you are having deja vu....looking cookie cutter..too much use of granite, too busy looking, so much repetition. Bravo for marble, wood and stainless steal...more interesting!

Paul Anater says:

Snarkymama: All of the options above? Oh man, I'm not being evasive but that's a tough one. Counter pricing is based on a number of factors, but all of those factors play second fiddle to something I call the Going Rate. The counter industry knows how much people are willing to pay for something and that's how much it costs. If you've ever taken Economics, it's price theory 101.

With that said, the least expensive option you have is laminate. Natural stone will double that price automatically. That price doubling will get you to entry level granite. The going rate for entry level granite is around $50 a square foot once everything's accounted for. Quartz and solid surface materials always have a color category that hits that price point. Just as with entry level granite, those entry level products are the ones nobody wants.

Mid-level granite comes in somewhere around $75 a square foot with everything included. That's the price point where specialty stones like marble start and it's where most solid surface and quartz products are. That's the great, wide middle.

Better granites, rarer natural stones like limestone and quartzite, and specialty finishes on quartz hover around a $100 price point.

Specimen stones like onyx, and most sustainable products currently on the market come in above that $100 point.

Of course there are specials from time to time and there are exceptions all over the place. But when I'm setting a counter budget for my clients, they are the numbers I use. Does that make sense?

Paul Anater says:

Gary: No it is not at all absorbent. The resins that bind it together make it waterproof and hard as a rock. paper stone tends to cost more than most granites, but it depends on which granite you're talking about.

McGrath: Thanks for weighing in from the Crescent City. Granite seems to have had its day in the sun all right.

Jan J says:

I went with granite when we remodeled our kitchen, a beautiful color named Maron Cohiba. While the thrill has worn off somewhat, there are still times I walk into our open kitchen/dining in the evening with the halogen light shining on it and it can again take my breath away. I love the look of Carerra marble but I know it would not look lovely for long in our house with the stain/scratch factor. I really loved the look of the painted glass vanity as well, but would worry about dropping something on it that would crack or chip the surface. I understand granite can be honed if one got tired of the shiny surface, am I correct? I had slate in an entry in the 70's...it was a nightmare and can't get beyond that thought. A close friend had Corian in a house that was built in the 90's. It was stained, scratched and chipped. I like the variation of natural stone and would probably do it again. Great post. Thank you.

Paul Anater says:

Thanks for your comment. There's room for everybody and despite the occasional drubbing that granite's taken in these comments, all that matters is that it takes YOUR breath away. It is after all, you home.

Thick glass is surprisingly strong and resilient. When it's thin enough, it's actually flexible but when it's at least an inch thick it can repel just about anything with ease.

Jan J says:

p.s. another surprising benefit of our large slab granite center island is the fact it DOES stay cooler in our hot desert climate!

Paul Anater says:

The physics of how that works is pretty cool. In Florida where I am, we use a lot of natural stone for that very reason. It works wonderfully. Conversely, if you can get it heated up, it will stay warm for quite a while.

Paul Anater says:

By the way, we're at 89 comments. Think we can get 11 more and push this baby over 100?

retrovon says:

I'll add one more to make it 90! Awesome post. I had no idea there were so many different types of product available to choose from as an alternative to the typical granite countertop...........and I absolutely adore that Blue Macauba quartzite wall. Fantastic!!

Paul Anater says:

And now we're 91. That Macauba bathroom deserves an award. It's stunning in every sense of the word.

knorling says:

I'll throw one more surface into the mix: Slatescape. It's made by Fireslate, and I believe it's the old science lab material. We put it in both kitchens we remodeled, and it's beautiful -- in a simple, rustic way. Nice honed finish, much like Paperstone, but the colors include a green, light grey and dark grey (our pick). However, it does develop a patina, and for that reason, few places sell it (you can buy it directly from the manufacturer and save a lot of $$) and many people complain that it doesn't stay perfect looking. We loved it, especially with our cvg fir cabinets and river rock backsplash. (And heated slate floor!)

Paul Anater says:

Oh that's right Knorling, thanks for that. That product has a long and interesting history and it's also pretty sustainable stuff. It's made from linseed oil and a couple of other things if memory serves. I've never seen it in a kitchen, do you have any photos of it on yours?

twilcox says:

I'd like to get an award for the dumbest question(s) asked and help you make the 100 comments.......are quartz and granite the same thing? are they interchangable terms? I have something called White Fantasy in my bath and I don't really know what the product is but I really like it. I've included a picture, but it was before all the painting was finished on the mirror, so don't think the room stayed like that. Can you tell what this is? I thought I heard the term "dolomite", but I might be incorrect about that. Thanks! (I'm getting such an education on this post!)

danthehandyman says:

Some really great ideas here.

Paul Anater says:

No, they are not at all interchangeable terms. Quartz is a manufactured product and granite comes out of the ground intact. Quartz used to be called composite because it's composed of polymers and stone aggregate. To make it more palatable, manufacturers started calling it natural Quartz and that's pretty misleading because quartz is also a mineral made from silica. Pure quartz the mineral is too brittle to use as a slab.

Granite is a silica-based rock and it's one of the primary things the earth is made from. The silica in quartz is mixed with enough other elements to make it strong enough to be cut into slabs.

Now, in looking at your photos of White Fantasy, it looks like a granite though I'm not 100% sure. It may be another mineral but I doubt it. Whether it's granite or some other stone, it came out of the earth looking like that. It's really beautiful too. Good job!

Dolomite is composed of calcite primarily and that's the same thing travertine is composed of.

If you'd like some more info on the geology of decorative stone, I wrote a series on my website last year that discussed all of the major decorative stones, what they're made from and how they were formed. I'll post some links if you'd like to learn more.

twilcox says:

Paul, thank you so much for the info and yes.....I would love to learn more!

Paul Anater says:

OK, here goes:

http://www.kitchenandresidentialdesign.com/2008/10/daily-granite.html

http://www.kitchenandresidentialdesign.com/2008/10/rocks-in-my-head-introduction.html

http://www.kitchenandresidentialdesign.com/2008/10/working-definition-of-granite.html

http://www.kitchenandresidentialdesign.com/2008/10/marble-and-metamorphics.html

http://www.kitchenandresidentialdesign.com/2008/10/onyx-is-not-what-you-think.html

http://www.kitchenandresidentialdesign.com/2008/10/please-pass-soapstone.html

http://www.kitchenandresidentialdesign.com/2008/10/sometimes-granite-isnt-granite-at-all.html

http://www.kitchenandresidentialdesign.com/2008/10/natural-my-butt.html

http://www.kitchenandresidentialdesign.com/2008/10/nice-things-to-say-about-composite.html

Leah Bonk says:

I just came on to see if you had any news for me. :)
Thanks anyways!

Joyce Rosemary says:

I love your descriptions of the products. I would like to know if there are any negatives to the glass countertops. They look fantastic. Also, I recommend Corian to my clients for functionality as well as the seamless sinks. No more grouting and dirt collecting in crevices. I'm glad to hear Corian has lots more styles to pick from now.

Paul Anater says:

I got sidetracked, sorry Dollface. How do you feel about driving to Mississauga?

Jrosemary: There are positives and negatives to any counter surface, none of them are perfect. It's just a matter of picking the one that best benefits a specific project. With that said, probably the biggest drawback to glass counters is the fact that they show fingerprints and smudges so readily. Think about it, you're essentially placing a horizontal mirror in a kitchen. They aren't going to work for everybody, that's for sure.

meginindy says:

I am sorry if you already covered this - and perhaps you have even moved on - I just found this ideabook, but is corian heat resistant or do you need to use trivits? Thank you

Paul Anater says:

Oh I never move on Meginindy. Corian is not at all heat-resistant, and you have to use trivets with it. It has a surprisingly low melting temperature and a hot pot will make it start to melt. Damage like that can be repaired, but it's best to avoid that sort of damage in the first place.

susanwagner says:

I am considering soapstone but I'm worried about chipping around the undermounted kitchen and laundry room sinks. Is it true there are different hardnesses of soapstone or am I being "sold" something by the stone yard? Any and all advice welcomed and appreciated. Thanks!

Paul Anater says:

Soapstone is a category and there are many kinds of soapstones, some are harder than others. Depending on where you are in the country, your stone yard should be able to get a variety of soapstones from places all over the world. All of these stones are rated for hardness, etc. A good stone yard not only has access to this information, they will share it with you freely. Does that help?

edulinka says:

paul, please advise, if corian can be used as backsplash for gas stove?

edulinka says:

also, is anyone familiar with solid surface brand - Hi Macs by LG? how different it is from corian? many thanks in advance

Anne Lubner Designs says:

Paul you are a veritable walking encyclopedia! My DH and I really enjoyed meeting you at the tweet-up Saturday. I could've stayed and talked kitchens for hours! The concept of aged marble counters is appealing (to me, unfortunately not to my DH) but just what does an aged marble countertop actually look like? Did you perchance snap a photo of the Italian villa aged marble countertop you made your own impression on?

Paul Anater says:

Edulinka: No you cannot. Solid surface materials melt at around 200 degrees Fahrenheit adn you have to be very careful with them around heat sources. The category is solid surface, Corian and Hi-Macs are brands of solid surface and they are more or less identical though you'd be hard-pressed to figure that out from their marketing materials.

Anne: Fancy running into you here! I enjoyed meeting you as well. I have a few shots of the villa but no clear, close up to the counter. You can see it in two of these shots. The third shot shows a marble floor that came from an older villa that once stood in the same spot. The landlord swore that it was over 200 years old. I believe him.

Nicole Jones says:

Kudos to you paul_anater for supporting my stubborn support of carerra marble counters in the kitchen. I am a brownstone owner in Brooklyn and will be doing a major gut reno in the near future which encompasses the entire garden floor of the house, inclusive of the kitchen. I absolutely LOVE the look of carerra and during my preliminary research, I have been advised against using it for a kitchen counter top for may of the reasons stated by friends, relatives, architects and even stone yards!! However, I have steadfastedly held on to my belief that my kitchen will be beautiful, that my family will just have to adopt a lifestyle that respects the counter tops (to a limit-not trying to become a tyrant about it) and I refuse to be talked out of it!! Thank you so much!

Paul Anater says:

Amethystnmj: You bet. I swear it's my calling to defend the honor of marble. The images I posted above were for the benefit of Anne, whose comment precedes them. I was fortunate to spend a week in an old, old villa in Sorrento last summer and Anne and I had been talking about it when we met in person over the weekend. The counters in those photos are Carerra marble and they are at least 150 years old. They were the most amazing surfaces I'd ever seen or cooked on. Clearly, it's in the Italian character to embrace history, stains and all and I think ti's a terrific look AND way of life.

deepistol says:

What are your thoughts on concrete overlay? They apply the product directly over existing laminate or tile counters. Cost is $35-$50 sf. range. They say they are quite durable, sealed, endless color/style choices. Have you had any experience with this product? (pics from ConcreteStyle website).

Paul Anater says:

Do you want my honest answer? I am mistrustful of a quick fix and this is a quick fix. I have no direct experience with the process you described but my first reaction is to be suspicious.

Anne Lubner Designs says:

Thanks for posting the Italian villa kitchen pics, Paul. From what I can see, the marble counters look pretty darn good. Charles has informed me he will go on strike if I get them though, and I can't resist his cooking, so they won't be in my future. I'll have to tell you the latest on our kitchen travails on Twitter!

Paul Anater says:

They're not for everybody but when they work, they work fantastically. I am looking forward to following your adventures on Twitter. Isn't building a home fun?

edulinka says:

thanks Paul for your advice on solid surface backsplash. i did more research and amazing that LG Hi Macs acknowldges 200 F rule but at the same time recommends it for backsplash? in short i am looking forward to your houzz post on backsplahes:))

edulinka says:

is granite radiation really that serious?

Paul Anater says:

No it's not. It's a play on people's lack of understanding of what radiation is so that they'll buy another material for their counters.

denise1234 says:

Paul, could you give me your opinion on my particular situation? We are doing a wheelchair access bath renovation. There are two vanities, one roll-under. There is a tiled roll-in shower with a bench. I want to use the same material on the bench and countertops. Currently, my husband still walks with a cane. He does bang into things with his cane due to his unsteadiness so my concern is to get a countertop and bench that will not chip. I also want a bench top that is warmer to the touch than stone. I feel that Corian is probably my best bet in this situation. What do you think? Is Designer White the go-to color in a contemporary bath with dark wood shaker-style cabinets, white-subway tile and dark gray porcelain floor tile? I have sampled all the grays and the closest without going blue is Graylite or Shale but I'm worried about scratches. Thanks for your opinion!

Paul Anater says:

Given your situation, Corian or another brand of solid surface material is the material I'd be looking at. Corian's the only one that won't hold a cold temperature and it will be far more comfortable to sit on. Occasional hits with a cane shouldn't be a problem. Any scratches caused by a can could be sanded out easily on Corian and quartz composite is strong enough that it wouldn't be sustain any dings or scratches to begin with. Take a look at Corian's Natural Gray if you're looking for a gray color that will play nicely witht he finishes you listed.

Helen Walton says:

Paul- this is definitively one of the most commented blogs ever- and it is probably because of #1 your exhaustive well written and documented info(thanks!!!!) and also because people clearly are a bit bored with granite although a wonderful surface! I am directing a client to this as he is just now contemplating what to do in his new kitchen and I know I could not do better than this! For the gal who was asking about concrete counters in Canada- try going to these people, who I believe do them all over but if not would likely know of someone great. www.jmlifestyles.com. I know them to be very reputable and from research has told me the most important thing about concrete counters is to find a really good contractor!

Paul Anater says:

Littlebighouse: Thanks! Be sure to check out the part two that's running on Houzz this week!

Helen Walton says:

Thanks Paul- loved it too- started there and ended up here! This is truly wonderful!!!

Paul Anater says:

Well, this is definitely a topic that hit some kind of a nerve. The number of comments these IdeaBooks have spawned are pretty telling.

denise1234 says:

Paul, thank you so much for your quick response! It's great to have a professional's opinion!

bhmoore says:

Is it possible to hone granite after it's installed? I have good old polished St Cecila Granite and am SO over it. I really wanted soap stone and was talked out of it by my builder. Should have stood my ground. Thanks for a great post!

Paul Anater says:

Probably not. I mean, anything's possible but I doubt you'd find someone willing to take it on. No one will take on the liability of moving an existing granite counter. And you don't want the mess of having it honed on site.

Jan J says:

Hi Paul, just came back to this site after looking at some of my comments. You answered the one question I did have way back up about 85 comments. ;-) It was about honing granite once it is in. I agree that no one would take on the responsibility of removing a granite slab because of the possibilites of it cracking, etc. but if they put plastic from ceiling to floor and over the appliances, would the honing process still be a horrible mess? We had 3 walls taken out when remodeling our open kitchen, and with the plastic sheeting up, it wasn't so bad with the dust and cleanup. I don't think i have seen a posting with so many comments! You know your 'stuff'!

merlie says:

Hi,
Anyone have any experience with Cambria quartz? We are considering this as an alternative to granite for new kitchen countertops, and possibly for a bath vanity as well.

Paul Anater says:

Cambria is made the same way all quartz composites are made, you'll enjoy having it in your home.

pandg says:

I want to see patina please!! Is there anyone out there who can show us an up close look at an aged marble counter? Or better yet a before and after. It seems as though many people are so afraid of using it. I'm prepared to consider marble... but ive never seen the 'history' that marble can hold and i want to see what I'm in for. I drink and spill red wine on a regular basis ;) Thanks.

kareninkentucky says:

I am renovating a lakehouse in RI and I am considering concrete on the island or on the perimeter countertops. Does anyone know someone who is experianced who can do it. I love this info because although I have never had a granite countertop I am so sick of seeing them in every house I go in.

Dena says:

Great collection of options! The final photo (Corian sold surface/B&W kitchen) TAKES MY BREATH AWAY. Every detail is exquisite perfection. Can you provide the style & color names of the Corian as shown?

joyann says:

Soapstone demand impacts tiger habitat in India. India's conservation efforts seem to be working of late, but they do not have the resources to police all corners. Consumer demand matters! Ask where your soapstone is from. http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2003/jun/22/world.antonybarnett

joyann says:

Super informative thread and dazzling photos. How is it that with so much discussion, there's none about the environmental impact of our choices? I found a useful discussion of the sustainability of many of these materials which kind of round this out at http://www.getwithgreen.com/2007/07/21/countertops-12-materials-to-choose-fromwhich-are-eco-friendly/ Some of the materials discussed here are available in recycled materials, including glass, concrete, composite, and ceramic tile.

cielem says:

Paul - thanks much for this post. I have long been skeptical about the hype over granite and I am thrilled to see that I am *not* the only person on the planet that didn't jump on that bandwagon! It's great to see just how many options are out there and I hope folks continue to be original - it's *so* much more interesting than everyone having the same cookie-cutter countertop!

jlandau says:

I would love to get more information on types of wood countertops (a friend recommended mesquite). We are considering soapstone counters but interested in wood for the island, which will get lots of use from a family of 4 cooking, eating, homework, etc.

k_sera says:

I have solid surface Formica in my kitchen (due to budget). The downside is it scratches easily, which is especially visible in the darker colors, which I needed to use because I have light hickory cabinets - light colors just didn't look right. The upside, the scratches can be buffed out and it will look good as new. And yes, it looks absolutely seamless. Considering my budget and the price point for my house, it was a good choice. I was just in a supposedly high-end house the other day and they had used laminate! (It wasn't even a really good looking laminate.) In my opinion, that and other cheap material choices knocked a few hundred thousand off the price.

missymh says:

After a great deal of consideration, I went with a combo of Vermont Imperial Danby marble (light pale grey veining) on the island with Vermont soapstone on the perimeter. The marble is remarkably durable. I went with a honed surface rather than polished. I love the organic feel both stones offer. I wanted a domestic product with a low carbon footprint.

mcmastri says:

I just installed grey soapstone on my perimeter. Trying to find something to coordinate with it for our island and all roads lead back to marble (cabinets are warm white). We were willing to give honed marble a shot but our ten day old soapstone is getting nicked every time something heavy is placed on it- actually things that aren't heavy scratch or dent also. Last night while opening a jar of sauce the jar left an imprint on the soapstone. I love it but am now freaked out by such high maintenance countertops! Thoughts? Thanks!

Lyn Zoellick says:

Does anyone have any experience with zinc as a countertop?

calkelley says:

Hey Paul, just moved to Florida and the CA house we sold had Corian countertop and lots of them! I loved the way they stretched on forever as one smooth beautiful piece, even flowing seamlessly into the 2 sinks. Couldn't put hot pots on them but that was a minor inconvenience. Cool in the summer, scratches and stains could be buffed out with the rough surface of a sponge, never dinged or shipped despite very tough wear and tear the 18 years we lived there. I wish they would make a comeback from the lowly status they were pigeonholed into.
Simply another concern we can think about in remodeling is that granite in kitchens has boomed in popularity in the last 10 years or so, as well as other 'natural' materials. With kitchens being the one remodel done on a consistent basis (maybe a wall or two gets moved but the bones of a house remain most its life) - let's put it at 30 years, though I imagine 20 is closer, the life of a granite countertop is very limited and finite.
Now just imagine all of those natural resources we just had to have, that we pulled out of the earth and shipped half way around the world, yanked out of the house and are now thrown in garbage heaps (not to rot, as it doesn't). Rarely reconfigured or reutilized - appliance holes, length, 'mod' status work against that.
Sustainability is a concept that has to do with our stewardship of the earth. Even though these countertops could well outlast the wood that makes up the house, they'll be gone well before. These products certainly cannot be regrown. And VAST amounts are getting used in this manner and will be trashed in this manner.
I just think we need to take a hard look at trends and ask if this is a good purpose for the material, if something else will have leave less of a footprint. I understand manufacturing of products has pollution and resource issues as well, but so does acquiring these natural materials.
My new kitchen has relatively new granite countertops but a horrible layout (the sink is around an island from the fridge! really? I heard the kitchen triangle was thought up in the 50's) and the whole thing needs to be pulled 15 ft plus towards the beautiful backyard. I don't know how I can do it with these countertops moved and something else added that will look appropriate but I'm going to try to figure something out! Even making them into tables will give them a longer life...
Maybe some sort of industry can grow along the next 'mod' counter material trend - how to reutilize the old ones so we don't waste the earth's nonrenewable resources...
I'm not normally so 'soap-box'y but I guess I've just seen too many remodels done and cry at the waste of materials so casually thrown away and forgotten as to what had to be done to get them into our houses. Please don't think I'm condemning anyone's choices or think we should give up modern amenities to live in grass huts. I just think we can get carried away blindfully following trends without looking towards what becomes the future of the product we are using. It's simply another concern we can think about in remodeling.

Christina Grierson says:

Time for something new! Sick of granite. Has anyone seen the bamboo butcher block counters? They are beautiful and stronger than wood butcher block. :)

wilson1c says:

We are in the process of building a house. As far as price point is concerned, what are the less expensive of the above mentioned countertop materials. I am thinking of savings in the laundry and home office specifically.