Countertop Materials Compared: Quartz, Granite, Quartzite & More

Choosing the right countertop is one of the most consequential decisions in a kitchen or bathroom remodel. It’s a surface you touch every day, see from every angle, and can’t easily change once it’s set. Getting it wrong is expensive. Getting it right pays off for decades.

At MDC Design Center in Cherry Hill, we stock a wide range of countertop materials — quartz, granite, quartzite, marble, butcher block, and more — with slabs available to view in person before you commit. Here’s a practical breakdown of what’s available and what works best for different kitchens and budgets.

Quartz Countertops — The Most Popular Choice

Quartz is the most requested countertop material in South Jersey kitchens right now — and it’s easy to see why. It’s engineered for consistency: no sealing required, no natural variation that surprises you at install, and near-complete resistance to staining.

What quartz does well:

• Stain resistant — coffee, wine, and oil don’t penetrate the surface
• No annual sealing required
• Consistent color and pattern from slab to slab
• Wide range of colors — from pure white to dramatic charcoal to warm beige
• Durable under everyday kitchen use

Where quartz falls short:

• Heat sensitive — direct contact with hot pans can damage the resin binders. Always use trivets.
• Can look “artificial” compared to natural stone — the pattern repeats in ways granite never does
• Higher cost than laminate or tile alternatives

Granite Countertops — Natural Stone With Character

Granite remains one of the most durable natural stone options available. Each slab is unique — the variation in color and veining means no two granite countertops are exactly alike. It’s a material that genuinely improves with age.

What granite does well:

• Extremely hard and scratch resistant
• Heat resistant — you can set hot pans directly on granite without damage
• Natural variation gives a unique, premium look
• Often more affordable per square foot than quartz

Where granite requires attention:

• Requires sealing once a year to prevent staining in porous areas
• Natural variation means you need to see the actual slab before purchasing — photos don’t capture it

Quartzite — The Luxury Natural Stone Option

Quartzite is a natural stone that offers the look of marble with significantly better durability. It’s harder than granite, doesn’t etch like marble, and has a visual character that engineered stone can’t replicate.

The catch: premium quartzite is expensive — typically $80–$150+ per square foot installed. It’s the right choice for a kitchen that will be a showpiece, not just a functional space. If you’re planning to sell the home within 5 years, the resale premium may not justify the cost.

Butcher Block — The Warm, Tactile Option

Butcher block countertops are having a genuine resurgence in South Jersey kitchens — especially as part of two-tone setups where one section of the kitchen (often an island) uses wood while the perimeter uses stone or quartz.

Butcher block is warm, tactile, and relatively affordable. It’s also the most high-maintenance countertop material: requires oiling every 1–3 months, can’t sit with standing water, and scratches easily. If you’re willing to maintain it, it adds a character nothing else matches. If you’re not, choose something else.

How to Choose the Right Countertop for Your Kitchen

1. Match your cabinet color first — the countertop and cabinet relationship determines the overall look. Don’t choose one without the other in the same light.
2. Consider your maintenance tolerance honestly — granite and quartzite need sealing. Butcher block needs oiling. Quartz needs almost nothing. Be realistic about which fits your life.
3. See the actual slab — every natural stone slab is unique. A photo of “White Fantasy Granite” gives you a general idea; the slab you’re actually buying might look entirely different. Always view in person before you purchase.
4. Budget for full install — countertop pricing is typically quoted per square foot, but add templating, fabrication, sink cutout, and installation to get the real number.

View Countertop Slabs in Person — Cherry Hill

At MDC Design Center, our Cherry Hill showroom has countertop displays alongside our cabinet showroom — so you can compare materials, match them with cabinet samples, and see how everything works together under real lighting conditions.

📍 1970 Old Cuthbert Rd, Suite 250, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034
📞 (609) 707-4527
🕐 Monday–Saturday, 8:30 AM – 6:30 PM

Serving Cherry Hill, Marlton, Mount Laurel, Voorhees, Haddonfield, and the greater South Jersey and Philadelphia area. In-stock inventory, no long lead times.