Granite comes in 2cm and 3cm thickness. The choice between 2cm and 3cm comes down to availability and personal preference. 2cm granite will have a plywood decking for added strength and a laminate edge to provide that thicker look. This actually results in a 4cm thickness countertop. 3cm granite will not require plywood decking or laminate edge. This thickness is already visually appealing and is sufficient enough for the countertop.

Quartzite Quartzite is a very hard metamorphic rock that began as sandstone and was transformed into an extremely strong and durable natural stone when the empty spaces between the sandstone were filled with the mineral quartz and fused together under heat and pressure. On the Mohs scale of hardness, from 1 to 10 with 10 being the hardest, granite measures in at around 6, and quartzite measures in at approximately 7. This means quartzite is actually harder than granite Granite Granite is an igneous rock composed of grains of compressed quartz, feldspar, mica and similar materials. This means that granite is slightly harder than marble. Granite easily resists scratches and damage from heat, making it an ideal material for kitchen counters both inside the home and outside. Granite counters will not scuff or discolor from everyday household activities. On the Mohs scale of hardness, granite has a hardness of around 6 to 7 on the Mohs scale. Dolomite Harder and sturdier than marble, Dolomite makes a great substitute for marble as a kitchen countertop. Dolomite, also known as dolostone and dolomite rock, is a sedimentary rock composed primarily of the mineral dolomite. Marble Marble is limestone that has been compacted and heated over millions of years. As a result, marble is less porous and slightly stronger than limestone, but still less durable than granite. Marble has a hardness of 3 to 5 on Mohs scale.

Quartz is an engineered stone, composed of about 95% percent ground natural quartz coupled with about 5% high-performance, stain-resistant polymers, which make it a durable, non-porous surface that is an ideal work top for any application.

Both granite and marble need sealing to keep the materials beautiful. Since granite countertops have inherent stain resisting properties, they need less frequent sealer application than marble materials. For optimal results, you should apply a fresh coat of sealant once a year. Since marble is more porous and certain liquids can penetrate the surface. marble requires sealing at least twice a year. The “water test” is a good way to see if you need to seal your countertops. Pour some water on the counter, if you see it absorbing into the surface instead of beading up, you will need to reseal your counter.