Materials
Natural stone
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Quartzite
Sealing: 2× per year
Stains: Resists most spills, but oils, wine, or juice can still stain if left too long
Heat: Very heat-resistant, safe for hot pans (still best to use trivets)
Scratches: Harder than granite, excellent scratch resistance
Price: $$–$$$ (often more than granite/quartz)
Best for: Kitchens, bathrooms, outdoor kitchens
Durability Rank: #1
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Granite
Sealing: 2× per year
Stains: Resists most spills, but oils, wine, or juice can seep in if left too long
Heat: Safe for hot pans, but repeated heat can wear sealant — trivets recommended
Scratches: Very hard; won’t scratch under normal use (knives may dull)
Price: $$–$$$
Best for: Kitchens, outdoor kitchens, fireplaces
Durability Rank: #2
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Soapstone
Sealing: Not needed—naturally non‑porous and stain-resistant
Stains: Acid- and stain-resistant. However, oily substances may darken the surface unless treated with mineral oil or wax
Heat: Excellent—holds up to hot pans without damage
Scratches: Soft surface scratches easily. Thankfully, most scratches can be buffed out or sanded and re-oiled
Price: $$–$$$
Best For: Kitchens, baking areas, fireplaces
Durability Rank: #3
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Marble
Sealing: 2× per year
Stains: Easily stains/etches from wine, coffee, lemon, and vinegar if not cleaned quickly
Heat: Handles warmth, but hot pans can dull or mark the surface — use trivets
Scratches: Softer than granite/quartzite, can be scratched by knives or daily use
Price: $$–$$$
Best for: Bathrooms, vanities, fireplace surrounds
Durability Rank: #4
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Onyx
Sealing: 2× per year
Stains: Very porous — wine, coffee, and citrus can stain/etch quickly
Heat: Sensitive — hot pans or sudden temp changes may crack the surface
Scratches: Soft and brittle — chips and scratches easily
Price: $$$–$$$$ (luxury/exotic)
Best for: Bars, vanities, feature walls, decorative backlit areas
Durability Rank: #5
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Travertine
Sealing: 2× per year
Stains: Porous — juices, oils, and even soap can leave marks if not sealed well
Heat: Handles warm items, but not safe for direct hot pans
Scratches: Softer stone — scratches and wear show more easily
Price: $–$$
Best for: Bathrooms, flooring, backsplashes, low-traffic areas
Durability Rank: #6
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Limestone
Sealing: 2× per year
Stains: Absorbs liquids easily — wine, coffee, and oils can stain fast
Heat: Warm items are fine, but not safe for direct hot pans
Scratches: Soft and prone to scratches, chips, and wear
Price: $–$$
Best for: Bathrooms, fireplaces, decorative accents, low-traffic areas
Durability Rank: #7
Engineered stone
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Dekton
Sealing: Not required — non-porous and stain-resistant
Stains: Highly resistant — everyday spills wipe away easily
Heat: Superior heat resistance — can withstand high temperatures without damage
Scratches: Highly scratch-resistant — more durable than porcelain
Chips: More chip-resistant than porcelain, but still avoid dropping heavy items
Price: $$$–$$$$ — premium pricing reflects advanced durability
Best for: High-traffic kitchens, outdoor spaces, and areas requiring maximum durability
Durability Rank: #1
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Quartz
Sealing: Not required; quartz is non-porous and doesn't absorb liquids.
Stains: Highly resistant to stains from everyday spills like coffee, juice, and wine.
Heat: Resistant to heat but can be damaged by high temperatures; avoid placing hot pans directly on the surface.
Scratches: More scratch-resistant than granite; however, cutting directly on the surface can still cause scratches.
Price: $$–$$$
Best for: Kitchens, bathrooms, and high-traffic areas requiring low maintenance.
Durability Rank: #2
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Porcelain
Sealing: Not required — completely non-porous and resistant to liquids
Stains: Superstar stain resistance — everyday spills like wine, coffee, and oils won’t penetrate
Scratches: Ultra scratch-resistant — harder than granite, but still avoid cutting directly
Chips: Tough yet brittle — edges may chip under strong impact (e.g., dropping heavy pots)
Price: $$–$$$ (can be more cost-effective than quartz and granite)
Best for: Indoor or outdoor kitchens, backsplashes, and modern spaces needing durability with low maintenance.
Durability Rank: #3