Choosing between natural stone or manmade countertops has become more complicated for many homeowners in recent years. For luxury design and sophisticated tastes, the answer used to be easy: Choose natural stone like granite or marble for your countertops. The sleek, pure design had no competition.

But now, with modern design and nearly zero-maintenance perks of manmade materials like quartz, the tendency is shifting and manmade countertops are equal contenders.

Ultimately, both materials are great choices for kitchen countertops, but if you need extra help deciding, below are some highlights of each.

Benefits of Natural Stone

Natural stone such as granite can handle the heat from hot pans and plates better than engineered stone, so when you pull the steaming pie out of the oven, you don’t need to be frazzled or worry about where to place the hot pan. Set it confidently on top of your counter.

Natural stone countertops like granite are durable, and if there is ever a crack or ding, they can almost always be repaired. The surface doesn’t scratch, either. Your kitchen should feel livable, after all, so natural stone will help you feel confident when using your countertops, because there’s always a solution if a problem comes up.

Status and prestige are still closely associated with natural stone, so if this important to you, consider going natural. Homeowners tend to install granite kitchen countertops when money isn’t an issue, particularly in luxury homes. Builders opt for natural stone more than engineered options; however, it’s important to note that manmade countertops are often just as expensive. 
Granite can cost $40-$200 per square foot. (As a comparison, manmade stone runs $45-$120 per square foot.)
When shopping, keep in mind that crazy-low prices should set off warning bells. If you see advertisements for $25 per square foot, for example, don’t buy the stone. It’s likely inferior quality and includes add-on installation fees.

Pros of Manmade Countertops

First, what are manmade countertops, anyway? They’re typically manufactured surfaces like quartz countertops made of a mix of resin, various pigments, and acrylic.

They’re known for durability, a characteristic that has made their popularity skyrocket. Manmade countertops tend to be nonporous, which means they’re resistant to constant kitchen threats: stains, germs, and even mildew.

As with natural stone, many manmade options like quartz countertops don’t scratch.

In the end, manmade stone and natural stone countertops are both great choices. Regardless of your choice, professional installation is always recommended, since countertops are heavy and expensive.

At Intermountain Stone & Marble, we install both natural stone and manmade countertops. Since 1954, we have installed custom countertops, so whether you are looking for a natural countertop like granite or marble or a manmade countertop, we can accommodate your needs.

Call us today to learn about the hundreds of options we offer!

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