Products

	Granite	Engineered Stone	Acrylic an/or Polyester Plastics	Tile	Laminates
Brand Names		Silestone, Ceasarstone, Cambria, Avanza, Zodiaq	Corian, Staron, Gibraltar, Avonite, Surell, Hi-Macs	Ceramic, Porcelain	Wilsonart, Formica, Nevamar, Pinoite, Arbortite
What is it?	100% Natural stone quarried from within the earth	Man-made: 85%-95% crushed quartz with a resin binder	Man-made: Acrylic or Polyester Plastics	Man-made: Ceramic or Porcelain	Man-made: Printed colors/patterns on a fiberglass backing
Heat Resistance	Not affected by heat	Can be affected by high heat (over 400F)	Hot pots can warp, melt, crack, or discolor the surface	Not affected by heat	Hot pots can warp, melt, or discolor the surface
Cleanliness	Independent studies have found granite to be one of the most bacteria-resistant surfaces available	Non-porous - very resistant to bacteria	Deep scratches can harbor dirt and or moisture	Grout is very porous and can be difficult to keep clean	Non-porous - easy to clean
Scratch Resistance	Highly scratch resistant	Scratches easily	Scratches easily - can be sanded	Finish can be scratched and is usually not repairable	Can be scratched - not easily repaired
Fabrication	May require seams - various edge profiles available	May require seams - various edge profiles available	Seamless - usually set on a wood sub-structure - various edge profiles available	Should be set on an approved sub-structure - limited edge profiles	Sheet material is applied to a wood sub-structure - limited edge profiles
Appearance	Highly polished finish - every piece is naturally unique in color and patterning	Polished finish - consistent and uniform color and patterning	Matte finish - with consistent and uniform color and patterning	Grout joints can vary greatly - tile color and shading can vary	Highly visible seams - consistent and uniform color and patterning
Maintenance	May require periodic sealing to prevent staining	n/a	Scratches can be sanded out	Grout needs to be re-sealed often
Price	$52/sf and up	MORE expensive than granite	Price varies based on color - many of which are more expensive than granite	More expensive than tile	Inexpensive