Watch enough home-improvement shows and it can start to seem like every kitchen counter in America is made of granite. Watch them with us and you’ll hear us shouting, “THERE ARE OTHER STONES!” Choosing surfaces for your home is a big decision. Not only are there many countertop options, but there are actually plenty of cases where granite just isn’t the right fit: Its porousness requires regular sealing and polishing (hello, maintenance costs), and it’s prone to absorbing bacteria-causing moisture. Yet compared to another option like quartz, granite is still searched more than twice as much as quartz on Google.
No matter what trends would have you think, it’s not granite-or-bust. Many of these alternatives have additional benefits of their own—and look even better. No wonder so many kitchen designers in the know have started steering their clients toward quartz. Want to see if you can spot the difference? Check out these beautiful kitchen counters and take a guess at whether they’re granite or not.
OK, so we set you up: Every one is a granite alternative. Truthfully, we were just as shocked as you when we saw how chic these alternative countertops looked.
And they don’t just look pretty—they also perform well. Cambria® specializes in quartz countertops that leave granite in the dust…literally: The only mineral tougher than quartz is diamond, which means that Cambria countertops are much harder than granite and way less likely to scratch or chip. Cambria also allows for longer countertop overhangs, giving you more surface area and additional seating options. Stain-resistant and nonabsorbent, these countertops won’t soak up bacteria like granite can, and they can handle everything from wine spills to weekend baking projects and still look brand new.(Here’s a full rundown on Cambria vs. granite.)
And then there’s the upkeep—or, more notably, the lack of it. Cambria is naturally stain-resistant and maintenance-free. Simply clean it with warm water and a soft cloth; mild soap is optional.
Which design will you choose: the warm pepper-flecked Pendle Hill? The dense and earthy Berwyn? Or maybe the marbled elegance of Bellingham? Get started with Cambria’s recommendations for superior granite alternatives and see just how far beyond granite you can go.
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