You might turn your nose up at them now , but once upon a time , everyone hadplasticlaminate countertops . infix to U.S. consumer in the former 20th century , they were all the rage for tenner [ source : Countertop Specialty ] . If you require to be a little fancy , you could butt your laminate counters with wood stained to match your locker , but that was about it . The next major countertop innovation came in the ' 70s with the advent of strong - surface acrylics like the popular Corian and Avonite [ source : DuPont ] . Touted as stain- and heating system - resistant , they quickly became deary of those who could yield a in high spirits - than - laminate price tag . And then , in the eighties , granite came on the scene [ source : Alter ] .
One of the hardest innate stones on Earth , graniteis even more durable than Corian , and more heat- and scratch - resistant [ source : Weber ] . Despite its ab initio very limited colouration selection and hefty price rag – just about $ 70 per square pes or more , compared with about $ 40 for Corian and $ 20 for laminate – people immediately strike in love with granite [ informant : Alter , Weber ] . In fact , they solicit the stone so quickly , that within a decade , granite was the standard countertop stuff [ source : Alter ] .
In the 2000s , granite has evolved . Now it comes in many different colors and pattern , and because it ’s a rude stone , no two while look very , which many people get hold attract [ source : Angie ’s List ] . When installed , there are few crinkle , and sometimes none . Perhaps best of all , the once - pricey countertop are now very affordable , with prices starting at about $ 20 to $ 35 per square foot – although you could still bear up to $ 80 or $ 100 per square foot , too , depending on the granite ’s gloss and complexness of fabrication [ rootage : Alter , Truini , Weber ] . The primary downside of using granite is that you do have to seal off the porous Harlan Fisk Stone annually , with a targeted granite rock - sealer product , to forestall smirch from seep in .
Although a 2012 sight by the National Kitchen & Bath Association shows granite stay the overwhelming countertop pick for both kitchens and privy , there are signaling that its popularity may have peaked [ source : Captain ] . Concerns about potential health hazards may be part to charge . There have been reports that granite countertops emit radon throttle , the second - leading case oflungcancer in America [ source : EPA ] . Although manufacturers admit granite turn back uranium and other radioactive materials such as atomic number 90 and atomic number 19 – which decay over time and turn radon gas – they attest that the amount of radioactive material in countertop is so shrimpy , they do n’t pose any wellness peril [ source : CBS News ] . While wellness and radiation experts check mostgranite countertops pass off radiationand radon at very low degree that are n’t likely to be harmful , some note that even downcast floor present a risk [ source : Murphy ] .
However , while the radon issue is scaring some off from granite , that ’s not the main intellect behind its dip in popularity . No , it ’s only that the market may have already zeroed in on the next , good matter : engineered crystal .
Quartz: An Up-and-comer
orchestrate stone , or engineer quartz , is made by setting ground quartz into a rosin , then fine-tune it to a all right sheen . Its best - know trade wind names are Silestone , CaesarStone , Cambria and Zodiaq . Quartz is a small more expensive than granite , with prices come out around $ 45 per square base , but more and more mass are favour it because it ’s even more stain - resistant and durable than granite , comes in a much encompassing smorgasbord of colors , and has a uniform appearance lacking in natural stone [ root : AZ Central ] . In 2010 , Consumer Reports rated quartz the top performing artist among countertop material as far as reject stains , warmth and scratches . And a boon for time - compact people everywhere – it does n’t need to be sealed every year , like granite does .
Whilegranite is still the number one option for countertops , vitreous silica is number two and bring in in popularity speedily [ source : Captain ] . A 2011 Freedonia Group Report on countertop industry trend shows quartz is the diligence ’s fastest - growing market segment , with 13 per centum ontogenesis compared to 5 pct for granite [ source : Enid News & Eagle ] . Its surging popularity appear to be based on the fact that crystal has all the advantage of granite , and then some . It ’s not only very durable – in reality more than double as potent as granite – it also is n’t poriferous . So , in addition to not make to seal it against stains , as mentioned above , this also entail the surface of vitreous silica wo n’t promote the growth of mold , mildew or bacteria – an important benefit to some [ generator : Enid News & Eagle ] .
Other countertop materials gaining in popularity are marble and meth , but their overall share of the grocery store is quite little . If granite eventually gets toppled as male monarch of the countertop , quartz will likely be its replacement .
During a late trip to Israel , my group quit in Caesarea . visitant head to this upscale townsfolk northwards of Tel Aviv to natter Caesarea National Park , which is home to spectacular Ottoman and Crusader ruin , plus a Roman aqueduct and theatre . That ’s what we were there to do , too . As we drove up , our tour pathfinder note that Caesarea is where the popular countertop material CaesarStone originated , and pointed out a manufactory next to the wrecking that produce the engineered lechatelierite . I ’d never hear of CaesarStone before , and was n’t certain if he was exaggerating its popularity out of hometown pridefulness . After research this clause , I get a line he was n’t exaggerate a flake . Long live Caesar(Stone ) !
