Granite

Natural
product

• Wide range of colours and patters
• Heatproof
• Waterproof
• Can be used with under mount sinks

• Can look institutional
• Can be noisy
• Hard on breakables and knives
• Needs to be sealed
• Can stain
• No warranty on material

Silestone

Cambria

93% Quartz and 7% Colourants and binders

• Stain resistant
• No sealers required
• Very difficult to scratch
• Joints are inconspicuous
• Ten year warranty
• Only diamond or precious stone is harder than Quartz
• High polished look like Granite

• Only 25 colours to choose from
• Hard on breakables and knives
• Can be noisy
• Need to use trivets to prevent cracks from thermo shock

Solid Surfacing

(Corian®, Acryflek, Staron, Earthstone, Gibraltar)

• Invisible seams
• Can be repaired
• Waterproof, so it can be used with under mount sins
• Integral sinks available made of solid surfacing
• Hygienic
• Ten year warranty

• Hot pots can damage surface – must use trivet
• Can scratch but is repairable
• Non shiny look

Laminate

(Formica, Arborite, Wilsonart, Pionite)

• Hundreds of colour choices
• Inexpensive

• No warranty
• Hot pans and knives will damage surface
• Damages can not be repaired
• Can’t use under mount sinks
• Not water resistant on seams

Stainless Steel

• Heatproof and waterproof
• Can be used with under mount sinks
• Won’t fade, rust or chip

• Can dent, scratch,
• Shows water marks and mineral deposits
• Noisy

Tile

• Wide variety of colours and patterns
• Heatproof and waterproof

• Grout lines trap food, dirt and stains
• Noisy
• Hard on breakables
• Not hygienic

Wood

• Beautiful when new
• Great for chopping and knives
• Scratches can be sanded out

• Not heatproof or waterproof
• Needs to be oiled
• Spilled foods can stain
• High maintenance