I have a new video where I test quartz to see if it is scratch, smash and heat resistant. Check it out - kzfaq.info/get/bejne/epmAeNZ2vdPYcXk.html

Sir, you are a very believable and impressive presenter. I love your tone, the absence of exaggeration, and the wealth and depth of your knowledge! Absolutely fantastic! Thank you!!!

We have white laminate in our kitchen and it's beautiful, and still looks brand new after 32 years. White is timeless and laminate is very durable.

I’m a designer for many years. I love my laminate tops. They don’t damage my knives, I don’t worry about hot pots or pans , and it actually releases stains like wine or strawberry/raspberry. No one wants laminate but it’s a fabulous option.

Very clear, very informative. Thank you!

Thank you! Awesome video, so helpful. Love the objective delivery of the facts and information. So Helpful!

Thank you so much for sharing such important and so needed information on countertops. It can be overwhelming due to the cost and decision making.

Terrific non bias , informative video, I now have lots to think about 😜

Love the honesty. Surprised about the laminate recommendation

Exact tutorial I needed to listen to in order to replace my laminate kitchen counters. Thank you!

I love you recommendations and down to earth approach.

Excellent video explaining the differences between these three countertops. Thanks.

Nice. I like your style of presentation, clear, concise... learning a lot. Subscribed

Thanks for the honest information Mark. Much appreciated. 🍻

Thanks for this video. I'm new to the stone fabrication industry, working in a showroom and this was the most informative series of facts and info I have heard, thats not just from a quartz supplier sales rep. I feel more educated and ready to better inform and advise customers at my job.

Great info! Thanks

Much appreciated information.

This is an Excellent Video. Mark is a BOSS!

Amazing information. I really felt like I learned so much! Thank you Mark!

Thank you sooooo much for your valuable information and advice!! I’m thinking of upgrading my kitchen with minor changes until I could do my major changes (expanding it)! Going laminate is perfect for now since I hope to do my major change in a few years and then buy the more expensive countertops!!! Great video!!!!!

Really enjoyed the video. It has given us a lot to think about.

You got me at QUARTZ!...Thank you!

Let me first say how impressed I am with your content with these counter surfaces and how you give equally valued info to each and you don’t steer anyone away from or frown on a laminate versus a solid surface. It’s all it what one can afford and like you said, what you like.

So you can actually repair laminate to a certain extent. Check out my new video on just that topic. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/ipuXo5SIu5a3qWQ.html

Thank you for talking honestly about the pros and cons of all 3 countertop types. Laminate is my go-to countertop choice. It gives me a lot more design flexibility since there are far more color and pattern choices compared to granite and quartz. From solid colors to wood styles to stone styles. You even get a choice of the type of surface finish and edge profile. It's also considerably more affordable at 2-3 times less expensive. For typical everyday use, they are perfectly durable. Use a cutting board. Use a potholder under hot pots. Problems solved. As for water intrusion, the fewer seams it has, the better off you are. If your countertop dimensions fit within the laminate sheet dimensions, your fabricator can give you a seamless top. No 45-degree mitered corner cut. It helps elevate the look and eliminate water intrusion issues in the corner of your kitchen.

Thanks a bunch. Highly informative.

I have no idea why this intrigued me enough to watch it since I have no particular use for the information (at 3am no less) but honestly, I’m glad I did. My future kitchen will be better designed for it! Thank you 😊

I designed two kitchens in older houses that we had bought. I had beautiful cabinets, and I used laminate in both kitchens. For one I had a beautiful light blue tweed design and one that looked like fallen, autumn leaves. But my favorite feature in both kitchens was the pull-out bread board. This pull-out doubled my counter space and was perfect at sandwich making time. It is an old fashioned feature, and it is great.

Thank you for this video. It's refreshing to hear a designer say that it's ok to get laminate countertops. You must have a highly satisfied customer base. 🙂 We're all different, we all have different needs/wants. Thanks for recognizing that and not trying to change anyone's mind. Keep up the great work!! 👍👏

Super projekt 👍👍👍miło się ogląda 🙂

My wife and I close on a new house in a few weeks. It has Quartz countertops throughout. I'm so excited. lol

Mark, Thanks for this down-to-earth video post. At this writing, I have my kitchen remodel nearly complete. In recent weeks as far as countertops go, my wife and I checked out the three options you reviewed in this post. I must say, we could afford the high end offerings, but decided to go with a laminate countertop. As in like you mentioned there are so many options in textures, colors, patterns, etc. In our home (a 70 year old Cape Cod style cottage) we decided to stay with (dare I say it) a wood-look laminate countertop by Wilson Art. Our house has stained wood work through out, and we just wanted to keep the updated kitchen in blend with the rest of the house. We considered butcher block, but did not want to worry with the upkeep. The laminate we chose looks similar to the butcher block style, but without the maintenance. These days so many seem to be trending toward neutral, almost clinical "Dynasty" looking kitchens with no color or warmth, and of that, to each their own. My wife and I are dated people who still like dated looking (though new) stuff, and make no apologies about it. And like you mentioned regarding laminate, if down the road we get tired of looking at it, we can change it up without the parting of the Red Sea so to speak. Peace, and more power to you in your field of work & design. 👍

Great video! Awesome tips! Thanks so much!!

Thank you!!

Thank u am tryna decide on if I should spend the money on my kitchen counter top and your video help me with my decision so I'm go with the granite 💯💯💯💯👋🏿👋🏿💪🏿💪🏿✌🏿

I've never heard anyone recommend laminate haha that's awesome! now that I'm thinking about it I didn't mind the laminate in my first apartment. We don't all need to be unique and one of a kind some of us want practical, I like it.

So helpful

Another excellent video!

Refreshing to see a designer that isn’t pushing the most expensive countertop options! I have laminate and plan to use it again.

Very helpful, thank you!!

Especially helpful video! Thank you. I'm glad I watched it.

Great information 👍🏼

Very valuable video, thanks y choose quartz.

Wow, what an excellent explanation full of insight and advice. I have a small galley kitchen with 9' 0" and a 0' 15" countertops. I was quoted $1965 including installation for a quartz top. That includes a 4" backsplash. Now I know why people complain about their kitchen remodels costing upwards of $50K. That seems insane to me, but my meager budget including appliances is $12K.

thank you you just make my day

Thank you very good information for me!💕

use a special quartz/granite cleaner on it ONLY! comet, or brillo, even windex will strip the sealant off. my girlfriend on a strict budget got a slate color laminate counter & its lovely. with white cabinets & some bright copper pots on the wall above & under cabinet lighting, it looks like real slate! i had granite in my first home but chose quartz in my new home because i wanted white with a touch of grey veining & granite didnt have it. im happy with the quartz. its beautiful, shiny & brightens up the kitchen.

Thanks for sharing your tips ❣

I had laminate in previous homes. When I redid my current kitchen I chose solid surface, Silestone, and I really enjoy it. I think quartz would be my stone choice. Thanks for the information.

Very informative! It's the Quartz for me.

Hi! Very happy to see your video please recommend quartz countertops which levels can choose to upgrade? Thank you

I love my Formica countertops and they still look great even after 42 years of use. They're butcher block pattern has now come back into style. There are three hard rules with Formica: Do not cut on them - always use a cutting board, do not set hot dishes or pans on them - use a trivet or wood cutting board underneath hot things, and do not drag rough-bottomed dishes over them or scour them with anything abrasive, including green Scotch scrubbers - they clean beautifully with the non-scratch Scotch scrubbers and a bit of Clorox Cleanup or Dawn soap. Stone can chip, crack, and needs special care; Formica only needs the three rules above to stay beautiful for decades and it has its own backsplash and rounded edges, is far less expensive than any kind of stone and comes in a multitude of colors and patterns.

Thanks for the informative video. I think quartz is at its best when its patterns imitate marble rather than granite. I’ve seen quartz countertops that are indistinguishable from the comparable marble and the durability of quartz versus marble in a kitchen makes it a superior choice in my view.

Very helpful. Thank you.

very good introduce

We're building a new house, and I was leaning towards quartz because I did my research, and I heard good things about it, and knowing that our kitchen is going to be seriously used; I cook every single meal from scratch. Going to the stone store, I asked the dates person to show me a great countertop for a kitchen that's going to be used a lot. She didn't even ask me about my budget, and took me straight to the quartz. She said, that's the one you want to use. I was sold! Now we have this GORGEOUS!!! Great video!!! 👍👍

Over the years I installed an acre of laminate in kitchens I remodeled. Cheap, easy to work with woodworking tools, looks okay. We remodeled our own kitchen a couple years ago and put in Hanstone quartz. Yes pricy, but it’s beautiful and there’s no mistaking it for laminate. Also, we have a 12” overhang on our island which didn’t need support. It would have needed brackets if granite.

Considering your in the business in most cases it would be more just to make a sale. I was truly impressed with your honesty, very impressed. Not everyone could afford to go with the more expensive. I truly appreciate your honesty.

Great information. One more factor to consider when choosing a countertop is the placement of the sink. If the sink is placed under the countertop, the countertop cannot be laminate. This is because the water that splashes up from the sink can seep into the laminate and cause it to warp or delaminate.

I have two of the designs he is showing in this video, must be popular.

Great video ,Thank YOU so much !!! xoxo

I like the quietness of laminate, especially in an open plan kitchen. A plate put on quartz or granite makes a sharp noise.. however laminate seems to absorb the sound. I do love the look of the other surfaces.

I got quartz in white and after many years I still no regrets. Still love it

Kitchen Remodeler of 30+ years here - GREAT video! I will add 2 things though - 1) There are really good 15 YEAR Sealers out there now, so it does not have to be a 'seal it every year' thing. 2) You forgot the whole group of Solid Surface tops like Corian, Staron, Hi-Macs, and the like! We do the majority of our tops (roughly 60-90 per year) in Stone, but still do a fair amount in Solid Surface and Laminate too. I have Solid Suraface in my current home as it was going to be a 'long term flip' and the price point in our market falls halfway between laminate and granite. It can also be easily 'renewed' by buffing out scratches.

I have granite and I love it.

I will only have quartz., absolutely love it.

I have my heart set on granite because I love the beauty of natural stone. Thanks for the tip about looking at the back of the samples. I had read that some granite is more durable than others but it's hard to find specific information on which ones to choose.

Great info.!!

I poured Epoxy Resin in the kitchen and two bath and they looked great. I made the bathrooms look like white marble and the kitchen like metallic grey granite. I watched A LOT of How-to videos and practiced on sample boards several times before I did it. Fun to do but not something I would recommend to first time DIY'ers but it is great if you are artistic and willing to work for it.

Almost forgot to say, the best explanation and thank you. The only countertop required is one that has a backsplash. Because all the durability of the flat rocks va is the constant caulking and no protection to your wall. Your materials should be balanced to work together long term. Also, it is extremely heavy for your counters and flooring if you are upstairs. Laminate works well-- like do you want your great grandma's kitchen pattern?

Very helpful and highly useful information, well presented, too! Thank you!

I’m putting laminate in the new condo I’m purchasing because I like to change up my style every few years or so. Quartz is beautiful, but I really find most granite to be too “busy” for my aesthetic; both are a serious investment for someone averse to commitment.😉 I installed quality laminate in my previous home and never had any issue with its performance. Further, no one ever came over for dinner and said, “I’m not eating at your house because you have laminate countertops.” 😏My money goes toward quality major appliances.

I had a client choose to go with Soapstone, and ordered from one of the last quarries in Virginia. He also chose to have floor tiles of 4 different sizes made at the same quarry, they took longer, but looked great in the end. Anyhoo... The counters got installed and sealed, then allowed to cure for 24 hours. After the dry/cure was done, the GC covered the tops with resin paper and it was announced that NO ONE was allowed to place ANYTHING on the counter tops, so we did not. On the last day of trim out, we removed paper from the tops and in installed the faucet. When the client came home, he removed all of the paper and it was discovered that the Soapstone had a quartz vein that had separated from the Soapstone, and created a large fissure. Client lost it and started throwing blame around. Fortunately, the GC had a camera in the job site that viewed the area in particular and allowed the client access to the footage to sleuth it out for himself. Needless to say, he did review the footage and found that only his family members had placed anything on the covered tops. Finally, they contacted the installers and they came out, explained that this was to be expected due to the stone acclimatizing to the indoor environment. They used an epoxy to reattach the quartz pieces in the fissure and filled in the voids. It was almost imperceptible. But the client still regrets going with Soapstone. It cost an arm & a leg but he keeps talking about replacing it. He's still a client of mine, but refuses to use the GC ever again. Mostly for other reasons (walls not plumb or square, half assed detail work, etc.) I no longer do work with him either, unless a mutual client uses him.

Thank you I just change my mind .

You answered most of my concerns about these products which is why I steered away from them. I don’t fault anyone for using them everyone has personal preference. I’m all about LOW maintenance appearance and cleanup so I’m using high gloss ceramic floor tile white with slight traces of gray granite. I’m sure there may be some reluctance by others but if it’s sturdy enough for floor traffic a countertop will be nothing I’m looking forward to it!

good info here great job............sounds like quartz is the best regarding durability

I am British and have sold a number of high end apartmemts in UK , the kitchens all of which had aga installed and granite tops . Our market at the top end would not accept anything else . Thank you for your trends . I think shelves look great . As you say it is up to you . To me people are looking for individuality and style and laminate has neither and never will have , so if you want style you pay for granite. Thank you for your clear and intetesting presentation which is a credit to you .

Great video, very informative. What was not mentioned in regards to quartz and granite is there is frequently minimum size that will be sold. I have renovated (contractors) two small kitchens. Both renos had this "too small" quantity issue.

We are in the process of building our dream home...I thought I had my heart set on Quartz but changed my mind last minute and went with Granite! (Thunder white) I just love the idea of it being a unique natural stone. I feel it's timeless. Big deal it has to be sealed every so often...well worth it!

Thanks for the info and starting the discussion! After reading the comments, I'm going to go with granite. Quartz seems to chip and stain more than granite and is harder to repair - which begs to be replaced. I resent planned obsolescence because it's literally so wasteful. I want something that will last and plays nice with the right to repair movement. I'll happily seal granite so it won't end up in the landfill.

I used porcelain tile and it takes everything you can throw at it. Its tough, stain proof, scratch proof and hot pots can go on it without any issues. After 15 years there is no wear. It would be nice to get it in a solid piece without grout lines though.

Previous home had marble and I absolutely hated it. Everything stained it including water. Just installed quartz in my new home and couldn’t be happier.

Another story... When I was plumbing for a company that also did hydronic floor heat, we had a client with a massive kitchen and miles of stone tops. We ran low temperature hydronics (72*) on top of the cabinetry (under the future stone) which turned the counter tops into a source for heat. Most installers will not tell you that large format stone acts as a cold radiator.

I went with granite as it is tough and just so beautiful.

This was extremely helpful. I am hoping to replace my countertops and have been toying around with the best options that would meet the desired aesthetic and functionality. I was considering a granite countertop before viewing this video, but I will expand my search to include quartz, as the yearly sealing seems like it could be costly.

Mark , I am trying to get more info on a new product they talk about out there called Mineral stone, i.e., Dekton, Lapitec is the any info you can provide? I have checked many videos on KZfaq concerning countertop information and your channel is by far the best and most informative I've ever come across, Thanks for your professionalism and even handed explanations of the different products available.

I do counter tops for a living and I have for 20 years. videos are funny

When I dropped a heavy pot on the end of the sink granite counter I chip a piece off and it was repaired good as new. My counter is 13 yrs old, use the stone everyday, and still looks new. Most people are choosing quarts so now all the kitchens basically look the same; whereas, granite has more of a unique look on it's own.

Hi Mark - So glad that I found your video today. You are a great communicator & educator. I learned a lot -thank you! My realtor told me that most of his clients are looking for quartz. We have granite which we have really enjoyed. I look at it thinking that we should replace it with quartz before putting our home on the market but we have decided to let the buyer decide that for themselves. Is granite recycled? It would be such a waste to just end up in a landfill!. Thanks again!!

Thanks so much for all these videos! I have watched many...!! Question - what are your thoughts on glossy vs matte quartz and staining? I have had a few folks recommend against matte because it is more susceptible to staining. Thoughts? (apologies if this is covered somewhere in an existing video)

My friend wallpapered his quartz countertop when he got sick & tired of the colour. Cheaper way to go

I have had both. My current home has granite and I can't wait until I can get rid of it and switch to quartz again.

The problem with what the trade calls “granite” is that most of it isn’t granite. This can make quite a big difference in the weight on top of your cabinets. Granites are mainly quartz and feldspar and have densities of 2.6- 2.8 grams/cc while more dense rocks such as gabbros, diorites and peridotite ( usually darker) are much heavier, at 2.9 - 3.3 gym/cc. It may not sound like much but it can be several hundred pounds difference on a big countertop. Many “granites” are metamorphic rocks formed at great pressures and temperatures and are denser. True quartz rock (quartzite) is not so heavy, but qan be brittle and fractured, and sometimes porous.

Thanks

Quartz all the way for me, I dont want extra maintenance especially in a kitchen. I have a marble top in my bathroom vanity, and yes it’s gorgeous but a nightmare to maintain.

I had laminate since I bought my home back in 2008. You're right, water near the sink does make it swell. I'm planning to upgrade the cupboards and my countertop to quartz.

Great review thanks! Could you please also compare with Corian / Himacs / Samsung Staron type surfaces that can be formed into any shape so can make one continuous join-free worktop and splashback (or backsplash, as you guys say, LOL)

I have Silestone quartz which looks STUNNING but it does stain pretty easily.. which makes no sense if it doesn't absorb liquid? If I don't quickly wipe away any spills, I have to use a really strong cleaner to get the stains out... still feel it's worth it as it actually encourages me to clean as I go, but yeah something to consider.

I install granite countertops everyday. Quartz ive taken a hammer to break it( it took alot of hits) to break.the darker the granite the stronger. The fiberglass on the back means its weaker.

Thank you for an unprejudiced comparison of surface materials.