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Homeowner Resources • May 20, 2019

6 Countertop Ideas that Aren’t Granite

by William Brown

Thinking of updating your kitchen counter-tops? See how these 6 granite alternatives compare:

Wood
Hardness Scale: Measured on Janka Scale, Varies depending on wood type

Wood Flooring Species / Hardness

Brazilian Walnut / 3684

Brazilian Teak / 3540

Cumaru – Showroom Sample / 3540

Ebony / 3220

Massaranduba – Showroom Sample / 3190

Brazilian Redwood / 3190

Angelim Peda / 3040

Bloodwood / 2900

Brizilian Cherry – Showroom Sample / 2820

Red Mahogany / 2697

Spotted Gum / 2473

Brazilian Cherry / 2350

Mesquite / 2345

Santos Mahogany / 2200

Dark Sucupira – Showroom Sample / 2140

Pradoo / 2170

Brushbox / 2135

Karri / 2030

Sydney Blue Gum / 2023

Bubinga / 1980

Cameron / 1940

Tallowwood / 1933

Merbau / 1925

Amendiom / 1912

Jarrah / 1910

Purpleheart / 1860

Tigerwood – Showroom Sample / 1850

Pecan / 1820

Hickory – Showroom Sample / 1820

Bangkirai / 1798

Rosewood / 1780

African Padauk / 1725

Blackwood / 1720

Merbau / 1712

Kempas / 1710

Locust / 1700

Highland Beech / 1686

Walnut Wenge / 1630

Red Pine / 1630

Tualang / 1624

Zebrawood / 1575

True Pine / 1570

Peroba / 1557

Kambala / 1540

 

Sapele – Showroom Sample / 1510

Curupixa / 1490

Sweet Birch (Black or Cherry) / 1470

Maple – Showroom Sample / 1450

Coffee Bean / 1390

Natural Bamboo / 1380

Australian Cypress / 1375

White Oak / 1360

Tasmanian Oak / 1350

Ribbon Gum / 1349

Ash / 1320

American Beech / 1300

Northern Red Oak – Showroom Sample / 1290

Carribean Heart Pine / 1280

Yellow Birch / 1260

Movingui / 1230

Andirobia – Showroom Sample / 1220

Heart Pine / 1225

Carbonized Bamboo (Represents one species) / 1180

Cocobolo / 1136

Brazilian Eucalyptus – Rose Gum / 1125

Makore / 1100

Boreal / 1023

Black Walnut (Northern Walnut) – Showroom Sample / 1010

Teak / 1000

Sakura / 995

Black Cherry (American Cherry) – Showroom Sample / 950

Boire / 940

Paper Birch / 910

Cedar / 900

Lacewood / 840

Leopardwood / 840

Sycamore / 770

Shedua / 710

Douglas Fir / 660

Larch / 590

Chestnut / 540

Hemlock / 500

White Pine / 420

Basswood / 410

Eastern White Pine / 380
Price: $30-60 per square foot
Best For:

  • Hygienic: Wood counters are naturally sanitary because they have inherent built-in protection against bacteria
  • Easy Fixes: Damage can be easily sanded, and can be refinished.
  • Price: One of the most affordable options for countertops

Downsides:

  • Moisture Sensitive: Naturally porous, meaning they easily absorb water but also can dry out
  • Hardness:
  • Cleaning: Harsh cleaning materials can damage countertops

 

Quartz
Hardness Scale: Measured on Mohs scalee, 7.0.
Price: $50-60 per square foot
Best For:

  • Stain Resistant: Highly stain resistant
  • Doesn’t require sealing: Has low water absorption rate and therefore doesn’t require sealing
  • Heat Resistant: As heat resistant as granite

Downsides:

  • Dirty Grout
  • Easy to Crack
  • Can be pricey

 

Porcelain
Hardness Scale: 7.0
Price: $60-100 per square foot
Best For:

  • Scratch Resistant
  • Minimal Maintenance: Can look good for years with minimal maintenance
  • Inexpensive Repairs

Downsides:

  • Dirty Grout
  • Easy to Crack
  • Can be pricey

 

Soapstone
Hardness Scale: 2.5 – 3.5
Price: $70-120 per square foot
Best For:

  • Hygienic:
  • Easy Fixes:
  • Price:

Downsides:

  • Soft:
  • Easy Fixes:
  • Price:

 

Glass
Hardness Scale:
Price: $90 per square foot
Best For:

Downsides:

 

Epoxy
Hardness Scale: Varies depending on supplier
Price: $100-200 per square foot
Best For:

Downsides:

Sources:

“Quartz Myths”, Rumford Stone, http://www.rumfordstone.com/faq/quartz-myths/

“Wood Countertops – Types, Compositions, & Benefits”, Home Advisor (https://www.homeadvisor.com/r/wood-countertops/)

“Wood Hardness Chart”, Specialty Kitchens (http://www.specialtykitchens.com/wood-hardness-chart)

 

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