Lava stone is a colorful alternative to granite countertops Updated: Jul. 16, 2011, 10:00 a.m. | Published: Jul. 16, 2011, 9:00 a.m. By Jill Sell ...

This is a natural stone composed mainly of mineral talc that gives the stone its smooth feel. Soapstone ranges from black to gray but can sometimes have a green shade to it. Other materials in the ...

It has the look of natural stone but requires less work to maintain. Quartz has consistent colors and patterns and is a nonporous material, so it will not need routine sealing and resealing.

Wouldn’t it be nice to have a dollar for every real estate listing that touts “granite countertops” as the end-all, be-all of kitchen work surfaces? The truth is, the popularity of granite ...

Unlike granite, which offers the unique qualities of natural stone, engineered quartz is largely uniform; because it’s engineered, there’s no choice of one-of-a-kind slab.

and look-alikes. Engineered stone is another option for homeowners. These products are made from bits of natural stone mixed with fillers and offer the same scratch- and heat-resistance as granite.

A: While it is a natural stone, granite is mined, milled and machine-polished in Italy and Portugal, and then shipped as slabs to the U.S. All the fuel used in shipping is not exactly earth-friendly.

Solid wood: Wood countertops create a warm, homey interior. Butcher block counters are less expensive than granite and do not necessarily need to be ordered from a speciality retailer. But wood ...

It has the look of natural stone but requires less work to maintain. Quartz has consistent colors and patterns and is a nonporous material, so it will not need routine sealing and resealing.

It has the look of natural stone but requires less work to maintain. Quartz has consistent colors and patterns and is a nonporous material, so it will not need routine sealing and resealing.