How to Choose the Right Countertop Stone
Countertops are one of the most important selections in a kitchen or bathroom remodel. They make a major visual impact and need to stand up to everyday life. One of the first decisions is natural stone or man-made, and the right choice depends on your style, lifestyle and budget.
Natural Stone Countertops
The biggest appeal of natural stone is simple: no two slabs are exactly alike. Natural variations in color, veining and movement give each slab its own character.
Granite
Granite is durable, heat resistant and available in far more colors and patterns than the heavily patterned granite many of us remember from years ago.
Pros: Durable, heat and scratch resistant, unique and available at a wide range of price points.
Cons: Some varieties require periodic sealing, and color and pattern can vary significantly between slabs.
Price: In Middle Tennessee, many installed granite selections fall around $50–$110+ per square foot.
Quartzite
Quartzite is a beautiful choice for homeowners who want natural stone with dramatic movement and excellent durability. Some varieties have the elegant veining associated with marble while offering a harder surface.
Pros: Extremely hard, heat resistant, unique and often spectacular.
Cons: Typically requires sealing and can become expensive, particularly with premium or exotic slabs.
Price: Expect many Middle Tennessee quartzites to fall around $70–$140+ per square foot installed, with premium stones potentially going considerably higher.
Note: Quartz and Quartzite Are Not the Same Thing
This is probably the most common countertop misconception.
Quartz is man-made. Quartzite is natural stone.
Quartz is engineered using natural quartz minerals combined with resins and pigments. Quartzite is formed naturally in the earth, quarried and cut into slabs.
Despite the similar names, they look and perform quite differently.
Marble
There's a reason marble has been used in beautiful interiors for centuries. Nothing manufactured quite duplicates its natural depth and character.
Pros: Timeless, luxurious, unique and available in beautiful varieties.
Cons: Softer and more porous than granite or quartzite. It can scratch, stain and etch from acidic foods such as lemon juice and vinegar. If you love marble, I wouldn't automatically talk you out of it. You simply need to understand how it ages and decide whether that's compatible with the way you live.
Price: Many installed marble selections in Middle Tennessee fall around $70–$150+ per square foot, with specialty stones costing more.
Soapstone
Soapstone is a less common natural stone with a soft, organic appearance, typically found in charcoal, gray and green-gray tones. It naturally darkens and develops a patina over time, giving it a warm, lived-in character.
Pros: Nonporous, highly heat resistant, resistant to staining and acids, doesn't require sealing, and offers a distinctive natural look.
Cons: Softer than granite or quartzite, so it scratches and dents more easily. Its limited color range and evolving patina also aren't for everyone.
Price: For planning purposes in Middle Tennessee, expect approximately $70–$120+ per square foot installed, with premium slabs, fabrication and project complexity potentially pushing the cost higher.
Man-Made Countertops
Manufactured (man-made) surfaces offer greater consistency and generally require less maintenance.
Quartz
Quartz remains one of the most popular countertop choices for good reason.
Pros: Nonporous, stain resistant, durable, easy to maintain, doesn't require sealing and comes in an enormous range of colors and patterns.
Cons: It's less heat resistant than natural stone, and some patterns can look noticeably manufactured or repetitive across a large installation.
Price: Many installed quartz selections in Middle Tennessee fall around $60–$120+ per square foot. Premium designer collections can cost considerably more.
Porcelain
Large-format porcelain slabs are becoming a popular countertop option, particularly for contemporary kitchens and outdoor spaces. They can realistically mimic marble and other natural stones while offering excellent durability and low maintenance.
Pros: Nonporous, highly stain and heat resistant, UV resistant, doesn't require sealing, easy to maintain, and suitable for indoor or outdoor use.
Cons: Edges can be more susceptible to chipping, edge-profile options may be more limited, and fabrication and installation require someone experienced with large-format porcelain. Unlike natural stone, some products have a printed surface pattern that doesn't continue through the slab.
Price: For planning purposes in Middle Tennessee, expect approximately $50–$120+ per square foot installed, depending on the brand, slab, fabrication details and installation complexity.
Is Natural Stone More Expensive?
Generally yes, but not necessarily.
A basic granite may cost less than premium quartz, while an exotic quartzite can easily become one of the most expensive materials in the kitchen.
For general planning in the Nashville and Middle Tennessee market:
Material | Approx. Installed Price (low to high) |
Granite (natural) | $50–$110+ / sq. ft. |
Quartz (manmade) | $60–$120+ / sq. ft. |
Quartzite (natural) | $70–$140+ / sq. ft. |
Marble (natural) | $70–$150+ / sq. ft. |
These are planning ranges only. The specific slab, number of slabs required, edge details, cutouts, seams, waterfall ends and fabrication complexity can all affect the final cost.
For perspective, 50 square feet at $70 per square foot is about $3,500 installed, while the same amount at $140 per square foot is about $7,000.
That's why the particular stone you fall in love with matters!
How Should You Choose Your Countertop?
My biggest advice is this: don't make the final decision from a computer screen or a tiny sample.
This is especially important with natural stone. A small sample can't show you the movement, veining and color variation across an entire slab.
But I also don't recommend walking into a stone showroom without a plan.
How I Select Stone With My Clients
As part of my design process, I establish the design direction before we make selections at showrooms.
Using 3D renderings and conceptual material swatches on-screen, we can determine what we're looking for: perhaps a warm creamy stone with subtle movement, a soft white with taupe veining, or something dramatic for a statement island.
Then I take my clients to trusted vendors in the Nashville and Middle Tennessee area to select the actual materials in person. We typically make our final countertop, tile and plumbing fixture selections this way.
Having a design plan and direction beforehand keeps Selection Day focused and much less overwhelming.
There's nothing like seeing materials in person. Sometimes we'll put the tile next to the stone and realize we want something slightly warmer. Sometimes we find a slab that's even better than what we originally envisioned. The initial design gives us a roadmap. Seeing the real materials allows us to make the final decision with confidence.
Be Prepared to Fall in Love With the Expensive One
This happens more often than you might think. You walk into the stone showroom planning to select quartz...and then you see that slab. The gorgeous quartzite. The marble that looks like artwork. The natural stone with incredible movement that suddenly makes everything else seem a little less exciting. That's also when the price can jump.
Not every natural stone is expensive, but the statement slabs that tend to stop people in their tracks, particularly premium quartzites, marbles and exotic stones, can carry a considerably higher price tag.
Sometimes that spectacular stone is worth making the focal point of the room. Other times, we decide the additional investment would be better spent somewhere else.
Either way, I want my clients prepared for the possibility before we go shopping. I don't want you to be afraid to fall in love with something beautiful. I just don't want the price tag to be a surprise when you do.
Look at the Whole Room, Not Just the Slab
A countertop can be gorgeous and still be wrong for the room.
Does its undertone work with the cabinetry? Does the veining complement the backsplash or compete with it? Should the countertop be the focal point, or should it quietly support another feature?
That's why countertop selection should be part of the overall design rather than an isolated shopping decision.
The goal is to choose the right countertop for your home, your lifestyle, your investment level and the complete design of the space.
Planning a kitchen or bathroom remodel in Nashville or Middle Tennessee?
I'll help you visualize the space before construction begins and guide you through selecting countertops, tile, fixtures and all the details that bring the design together.
Let's discuss your dream space! Book a complimentary video consult with me at 615interiors.com.
Comments