Cultured Marble
Cultured marble is a manufactured surface designed to replicate the look of natural marble with improved consistency and affordability. It’s commonly used for vanities, showers, and decorative bathroom applications.
Remodeling your kitchen or bathroomshould feel exciting—not overwhelming.
With endless inspiration from Pinterest and Houzz, it’s easy to fall in love with everything from granite and quartz to timeless marble.
So how do you choose the right countertop?
The truth is, there’s no wrong answer. Each surface offers its own beauty, durability, and character. The best choice comes down to how you live, your style, and what matters most to you.
To make that decision easier, we’ve created an interactive guide below. By comparing materials across the factors that matter most—durability, appearance, maintenance, and cost—you can narrow your options with clarity and confidence.
Below, we break down the differences to help you choose with confidence.
Let us start with the Materials
Each countertop material brings something different to the table — from natural movement and character to engineered consistency and performance. Below is a quick introduction to the most popular stone and surface options we work with, giving you a high-level look at what makes each one unique.
Marble
Marble is a classic natural stone known for elegance, softness, and refined movement. It brings a timeless, high-end aesthetic often associated with luxury kitchens and baths.
Granite
Granite is a natural igneous stone prized for strength, character, and timeless appeal. Each slab is one-of-a-kind, offering organic movement and depth that adds lasting value and durability to kitchens and baths.
Quartz
Quartz countertops are engineered surfaces combining natural quartz with resins for consistency and strength. They offer a clean, modern look with reliable performance and minimal maintenance.
Quartzite
Quartzite is a natural stone offering the beauty of marble with strength closer to granite. It’s ideal for homeowners wanting dramatic movement with superior durability.
Sintered Stone
Sintered Stone is a solid-surface material designed for durability, consistency, and modern appeal. It offers a clean, uniform look ideal for contemporary kitchens and commercial spaces.
From Inspiration to Decision
Once you’ve explored the materials, the sections that follow help you compare how each surface performs in real-life use — not just how it looks in photos.
We break each option down by durability, origin, appearance, maintenance, and cost, so you can focus on the factors that matter most to you.
How This Works
Choosing the right countertop isn’t about finding the “best” material — it’s about finding the one that fits how you live.
As you move through the sections below, simply select the option in each row that matters most to you — durability, origin, color movement, maintenance, and cost. Each selection contributes to a point system designed to reflect real-world performance and lifestyle priorities.
At the bottom of the page, your selections come together to reveal the countertop material that best matches your needs, preferences, and expectations.
There’s no right or wrong answer — just the surface that makes the most sense for you.
Durability & Longevity
Cultured Marble
Cultured marble is moderately durable and performs well in low- to medium-use areas. While it resists everyday wear, it can scratch or dull over time and is best suited for bathrooms rather than heavy kitchen use.
Marble
Marble is softer than other stones and can etch or scratch over time. With mindful use and care, it ages gracefully and develops a natural patina many homeowners appreciate.
Granite
Granite is extremely durable and heat resistant, standing up well to daily cooking, impacts, and wear. With proper sealing and basic care, granite countertops can last for decades without losing performance or beauty.
Quartz
Quartz is highly durable, scratch resistant, and non-porous. It holds up well to daily use and does not require sealing, making it a long-lasting choice for busy households.
Quartzite
Quartzite is extremely hard and heat resistant, making it well suited for kitchens. When properly sealed, it offers excellent longevity even in high-use environments.
Sintered Stone
Sintered Stone is engineered for daily use, resisting chips, stains, and wear. It provides reliable performance over time with straightforward maintenance and repair options.
Stone Origin
Cultured Marble
Cultured marble is made from crushed limestone blended with resins and pigments, then molded and finished with a protective gel coat. This process allows for controlled shapes, colors, and integrated features.
Marble
Marble forms when limestone undergoes heat and pressure, creating a smooth, crystalline structure. Quarried worldwide, each region produces distinctive veining and tonal variation.
Granite
Granite forms deep within the earth from slowly cooled magma, resulting in dense crystalline structure. Quarried worldwide, each region produces unique mineral blends that influence color, pattern, and overall character.
Quartz
Quartz surfaces are manufactured using crushed natural quartz and binding agents. This controlled process allows for uniform slabs with predictable color, pattern, and performance.
Quartzite
Quartzite forms when sandstone is transformed under extreme heat and pressure. This process creates a dense, crystalline stone with exceptional strength and natural variation.
Sintered Stone
Sintered Stone is manufactured using mineral fillers and binding resins. This controlled production ensures consistent quality, color accuracy, and dependable structural integrity.
Color Variety & Movement
Cultured Marble
Cultured marble offers soft veining and consistent color patterns designed to mimic natural stone. Movement is subtle and uniform, making it ideal for clean, coordinated bathroom designs.
Marble
Marble is celebrated for flowing veining and subtle color transitions. Whites, creams, grays, and dramatic contrasts create movement that feels organic and sophisticated.
Granite
Granite offers wide color ranges from light neutrals to dramatic darks, often featuring bold veining, flecks, or flowing movement. Natural mineral variation ensures no two slabs are exactly alike.
Quartz
Quartz offers extensive color options, from solid tones to marble-inspired designs. Patterns remain consistent from slab to slab, ideal for clients seeking uniformity and design control.
Quartzite
Quartzite features flowing veining, soft neutrals, and bold movement. Many slabs resemble marble while offering brighter whites, warm tones, or striking linear patterns.
Sintered Stone
Sintered Stone offers smooth, consistent coloring with subtle patterning. It’s ideal for designs that prioritize uniformity, clean lines, and a modern aesthetic.
Porosity & Sealing
Cultured Marble
Cultured marble is non-porous due to its gel-coated surface and does not require sealing. It resists moisture and stains, though harsh cleaners can damage the finish over time.
Marble
Marble is porous and requires regular sealing to protect against stains and etching. Prompt cleanup and gentle care are essential to maintain its appearance.
Granite
Granite is naturally porous and requires periodic sealing to resist stains and moisture. Once sealed, it performs exceptionally well in kitchens and bathrooms with minimal ongoing maintenance.
Quartz
Quartz is non-porous and never needs sealing. It resists stains, bacteria, and moisture, making it especially popular for kitchens, bathrooms, and high-traffic spaces.
Quartzite
Quartzite is porous and requires sealing to prevent staining. With proper sealing and care, it performs reliably while maintaining its natural beauty.
Sintered Stone
Sintered Stone is non-porous and does not require sealing. It resists moisture and bacteria, making it suitable for kitchens, baths, and commercial installations.
Cost
Cultured Marble
Cultured marble is one of the more budget-friendly countertop options. Its lower material and fabrication costs make it a popular choice for bathrooms, rentals, and large-scale projects.
Marble
Marble generally falls into the higher price range due to sourcing, demand, and fabrication. Its aesthetic appeal and timeless reputation often outweigh the added care requirements.
Granite
Granite pricing varies by rarity, origin, and pattern complexity. It offers excellent long-term value, balancing natural beauty, durability, and cost across a wide range of budgets.
Quartz
Quartz is typically priced in the mid to high range. While not the least expensive option, its low maintenance and consistency often justify the investment over time.
Quartzite
Quartzite is typically priced in the mid to high range due to quarrying and fabrication difficulty. Its durability and marble-like appearance make it a premium choice.
Sintered Stone
Sintered stone is premium priced due to its advanced manufacturing process and exceptional durability. Its performance and longevity make it a premium surface option.
Your Perfect Countertop
Select any options to see your match.