For a hard-working kitchen, most homeowners choose granite or quartzite because both handle heat and scratches well. Engineered quartz has a non-porous surface and never needs sealing, but it does not like hot pans. Marble looks the most striking, yet it is softer and sensitive to acids.
In a Polish household the kitchen is rarely just for show. It is where pierogi get rolled out before the holidays, where cabbage is chopped for bigos and where a roasting pan lands straight from the oven. So when families in Hamilton, Ewing or Levittown in Bucks County plan a remodel, their first question is usually the same: which stone can keep up?
There is no single answer. It depends on how you cook, how much time you want to spend on upkeep and whether you prefer a one-of-a-kind natural pattern or a uniform, predictable look.
What is the difference between natural stone and engineered quartz?
Granite, marble and quartzite are natural stones. They are cut from blocks taken out of quarries and then sawn into large panels called slabs. Every slab has its own veining, crystals and color shifts, so two kitchens with the “same” granite never look exactly alike.
Engineered quartz is made in a factory. Crushed quartz is bound with resin and pigments, which gives it a consistent pattern and a surface that does not absorb liquids. That is good news if you would rather not think about sealing. It is less appealing if you want a slab nobody else has.
Which stone works by the range, and which on the island?
Near the cooktop and oven, heat and scratch resistance matter most. Granite and quartzite do well here, although even they deserve a trivet under a hot pot. Engineered quartz is easy to maintain, but its resin handles direct contact with a very hot pan less well, so it calls for more care next to the stove.
Marble most often ends up on an island or on a dedicated baking station. Its cool, smooth surface is ideal for rolling dough. You have to accept, though, that lemon juice, vinegar, wine or tomato sauce can leave dull marks, and that a patina will develop over time. Some see that as a flaw; others see the charm of an old European kitchen.
A cutting board is not optional either. Hard stone dulls knives, and slicing directly on the counter will eventually scratch even a tough surface.
Is a granite countertop safe for your health?
This question comes up regularly, usually after someone reads about radiation from stone. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency explains that granite contains trace amounts of naturally occurring uranium and thorium, but it considers it extremely unlikely that a countertop would raise a household’s yearly radiation dose above normal background levels.
A far bigger concern is radon seeping into the house from the soil underneath. That is why the EPA recommends testing every home for radon, whatever kind of counter is in the kitchen. The details are in the EPA overview of granite countertops and radiation.
How should you care for a stone countertop day to day?
The simplest rule: warm water, mild dish soap and a soft cloth. Harsh cleaners with acids, bleach or abrasive grit can dull a polished finish, especially on marble, travertine and limestone. Spilled wine, coffee or oil should be wiped up right away rather than left overnight.
Natural stone needs to be resealed from time to time to limit how much liquid it absorbs; our piece on stone in the bathroom explains how to tell when it is due.
Engineered quartz does not need sealing, but it also does not like aggressive chemicals or sharp tools. A scrubbing sponge with a rough side can leave marks that are hard to remove.
More about stone in the home
- Stone in the bathroom: dealing with moisture
- A stone fireplace for the living room
- Stone bar tops and tables
A family-owned business in Ewing, New Jersey
Euro 1 Countertops Granite & Marble, Inc. is a family-owned business in Ewing, Mercer County, with 20 years in the marble and granite trade. It custom-fabricates kitchen and bathroom countertops, backsplashes, fireplaces, staircases, window sills and bar tops in granite, marble, quartz, quartzite, travertine, limestone, onyx and semi-precious slabs. The company installs throughout New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, New York and Connecticut for residential and commercial clients. Consultations and estimates are free, and the team speaks English, Polish, Russian and Ukrainian.
Learn more in Euro 1 Countertops Granite & Marble, Inc.’s listing in the PolishPages directory. To schedule an estimate, call 609-608-5750; the office is at 310 Dryden Avenue in Ewing, New Jersey.
This article offers general information only and does not replace advice from a specialist who can assess the stone and the conditions in your kitchen.
