Remodeling and building projects come with a long list of selections to be made. The abundance of options can be overwhelming when investing in home improvements. It’s important to choose products and materials that will fulfill your family’s unique needs and style. Kitchen remodels and bathroom renovations come with a hefty to-do list before the project can begin. You will need to select light fixtures, paint, flooring, wall tile, hardware, cabinetry, and more. Our design consultants work closely with our clients to make these selections and create a beautiful space that will serve their unique needs, in a style they love, within their budget.

During the design stage, we often hear from our clients that they’re unsure of which counter top would be best for their home. With so many options available, this isn’t surprising. We aim to be a resource for homeowners and understand the importance of creating and investing in spaces that will function for your family. We’ve created this guide to help you make the best choice for your unique needs when improving your home.

Countertops make beautiful statements in any room. The aesthetic of a design can be completely altered by this choice. In some cases, the countertop choice can dictate the rest of your design selections. A busier surface like granite will require a quiet backsplash design while a bright white quartz allows you to explore lively options and patterns.

With exposure to water, heat, sharp knives, homework sessions, family gatherings, and more, countertops carry a heavy burden in the kitchen. Your bathroom vanity tops and stone surfaces are doing lots of work with frequent hand-washing, teeth-brushing, and the use of hot tools for your hair. How do your countertops serve you? Is durability a priority? A low traffic guest bathroom may allow for a more aesthetically driven choice while your kitchen may need a sturdier option, requiring a bit of investigating.

Discover the wonders of each stone and surface - which one will stand up best in your home?

MARBLE

• Porous surface

• Easily stained and etched.

• Classic and timeless.

• Requires regular Maintenance: needs to be resealed every 1-2 years.

• Mildly heat resistant

• May experience slight burn, cracking from thermal shock, or color discoloration. 

QUARTZ

• Man-made 

• Stain, scratch, heat, acid and impact resistant.

• Comes in a wide variety of colors and styles

• Non-porous surface, it doesn’t need to be sealed.

• Very practical, durable and easy to maintain.

• Comparable to Granite

QUARTZITE

• Natural stone

• Needs to be sealed and resealed once a year

• Available in a variety of colors, tones

• Variances in spotting

• Sister surface to quartz

• More expensive than quartz

SOAPSTONE

• Dense and non-porous

• Susceptible to scratches and nicks, but the small imperfections can typically be buffed out with sandpaper.

• Typically found only in gray tones with varying veining patterns.

• Develops a patina with use.

• Recommend applying mineral oil occasionally to help disguise small surface scratches.

BUTCHER BLOCK

• Sanitary when properly sealed

• Provides great work space for chopping and baking

• Heat resistant

• Stunning when mixed with other surfaces

• Adds warmth and character

CONCRETE

• Stain, heat and water resistant when sealed

• DIY Friendly

• Customizable in thickness, edges, color and texture

• Seams can be filled so it’s one continuous surface

• Will patina over time

GRANITE

• Found in nature - comes in wide range of colors and variations, each slab is unique

• Polished or matte

• Spills wipe up quickly

• Non-porous material after it’s sealed

• Affordable

LIMESTONE

• High maintenance

• Not very heat resistant

• Spills need to be cleaned up quickly

• Etching is fairly common

• Variety of beautiful, natural looking options

Are you considering home improvement projects?

We’re here to help. Building Professionals Inc is a full service, family-owned, design-build company that has proudly been serving homeowners of NH + MA for over 25 years. Let’s connect and create a beautiful space for your family.