We know how the story goes. Rock beats scissors, scissors beats paper and paper beats rock. Now what happens if you throw new materials such as engineered stone into the mixture? You get a lot of confusion when shopping for a new countertop.
With every material there are pros and cons. The easiest way to determine which material will suit your needs best is to view the material's characteristics and decide which are going to work for you and which are not.
Natural Stone:
Natural stones such as Granite have become very popular in the last few years. The idea of choosing your own piece of stone, right from the slab and having a unique piece in your home is ideal for many people. Different edging can be achieved to enhance this custom appearance. Granite is heat resistant, hard but can be scratched if not maintained properly. Acidic materials such as citrus cleaners, bleach and other harsh soaps should be avoided with natural stones. Some stones, such as marble are a popular choice for bathrooms because there is less chance of damage. Marbles, sandstone and limestone are softer and are more prone to damage such as stains and scratches, therefore they require more upkeep. Typically, natural stones are expensive and are based on the type of stone, origin and quantity required.
Engineered Stone:
Engineered stone is a combination of natural stone, resin and pigments. This allows for a variety of colouring options and appearances. It is durable, nonporous, resistant to scratching and staining and can be created with a variety of edging styles. Maintenance is minimal and sealing is not usually required. This being said, acidic materials such as bleach should be avoided as they will fade the colour of the stone over time. Another factor of engineered stone is that it can be quite expensive compared to materials such as solid surfacing.
Solid Surface:
Solid surface counters are made from acrylic polymers. Virtually any colour can be achieved and a variety of edge styles are available. Non porous and resistant to stains and scratching make this ideal for high traffic areas such as food preparation. Because this is a man made material, it can be formed into nearly any shape and seams can be avoided, eliminating the possibility of bacterial build up. It does not require much maintenance and comes in both glossy and matte finishes. Typically less expensive than engineered or natural stone, this type of countertop is more commonly used in commercial applications because of its endurance and price point.
Image 1 via http://www.gogranite.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=19&Itemid=22
Image 2 via http://www2.dupont.com/Surfaces/en_US/products/corian/pr_corian_colors.html?color=92
Image 3 via http://www.caesarstoneus.com/gallery/ultra-modern/
