Whether you’re remodeling bathrooms or a kitchen or you’re building a new home, choosing the right countertops to complement your cabinetry is one of the most important decisions you'll make.

From classic natural stones to the latest man-made materials, Toulmin Kitchen and Bath offers many beautiful and durable countertop options for your home. Our experienced kitchen and bath design team will help you select the most beautiful countertop options for your home that will stand the test of time.

There are many beautiful materials to consider.
Learn more about our favorite ones:

Granite

Marble

Quartz

Quartzite

Soapstone

Large Format Porcelain

Today, you have more choices than ever before in terms of materials and countertop styles.

So how do you choose between granite and marble or manmade versus natural materials?
Our Toulmin design team is here to guide you every step of the way.

Here are a few pros and cons you should consider when choosing the best countertop material for your home.

Granite Countertops

Granite is a popular natural stone option that is available in several grades (generally 1 through 5 patterns), colors, and thicknesses.

• Pros: Granite is a durable and low-maintenance option that offers a depth of design and texture you won’t find in other countertops materials.

• Cons: Natural stone can be difficult to repair if chipped.

• The Investment: Granite is a timeless and durable material, which makes it a great investment. Something to consider, though, is thickness can really drive up the cost of granite. If you want granite on a budget, ask your countertop experts about thinner slab options.

Marble Countertops

Want to achieve a luxe, high-end look with a natural stone? Marble could be a great option.

• Pros: Marble is semi-heat resistant, available in light colors, and offers a high-end look and timeless design.

• Cons: Marble is a softer stone that easily absorbs stains, oils, and acidic-based products, so regular maintenance (sealing) is necessary.

• The Investment: Marble is often more costly than granite.

Quartz Countertops

Made of engineered stone, quartz countertops are durable and low-maintenance, and their appearance rivals the beauty of natural stones like marble and granite.

• Pros: If you’re looking for a durable and low-maintenance option but want the veining and uniqueness of natural stone, quartz countertops give an almost identical look to that of granite and marble. Along with lustrously polished finishes quartz is also available with the matte finish of limestone, the textured finish of granite, or the gloss of highly polished stone.

• Cons: All the great aspects of quartz—durability, non-porous, ability to customize the design—come with a cost.

• The Investment: Quartz countertops tend to be more expensive than granite or marble.

Quartzite Countertops

Quartzite is a versatile, natural stone countertop material that works wonders in both kitchens and bathrooms. It’s a durable option that is available in neutral colors like white, black, brown, and beige, and it can come with colorful veins due to different sediments including deep pink, violet, and orange, which is achieved by adding pigments.

• Pros: Quartzite is durable and won’t get damaged if hot pots or pans are placed directly on it.

• Cons: Quartzite is porous, which means if not sealed properly, spills will seep in and leave a permanent stain. Though quartzite can withstand high temperatures, it is prone to scratching from sharp objects like kitchen knives.

• The Investment: Despite being cheaper than marble, quartzite is still an expensive material for countertops. Since it requires diamond cutters to cut, fabricating it to the size of your kitchen or bathroom countertop is an expensive process that should only be performed by a contractor that is skilled in installing the material.

Soapstone Countertops

Though not as common as other materials, soapstone is one of the most functional countertop materials available. It adds a rustic, elegant, and urbane feel similar to that of slate or granite. 

• Pros: Soapstone is a fabulous and classic material for countertops. It will not absorb stains or discolorations, and it will never need to be sealed. One of the big advantages of soapstone countertops is that they become even more beautiful as they age. They darken and develop a natural patina over time that makes them a dramatic focal point in any kitchen. Surface stains can be cleaned with gentle sanding, and scratches can be removed with mineral oil.

• Cons: Though soapstone is non-porous, oily substances can significantly darken soapstone countertops. The natural material is soft in nature, making soapstone less likely to crack. However, its softness makes soapstone countertops more susceptible to scratches.

• The Investment: Soapstone is a rare stone, which makes it a relatively more expensive option when compared to man-made countertop materials.

Large Format Porcelain Countertops

While porcelain tile has been used as a countertop material for a long time, solid porcelain countertops are a relatively new option.

• Pros: Porcelain countertops offer many benefits, like the ease of cleaning and durability. They also come in a wide range of colors and designs that can mimic marble, granite, or slate. The newest porcelain slabs are lightweight and versatile. You can even use the same slab for both countertops and backsplash giving a bold, contemporary look that's low-maintenance and aesthetically beautiful.

• Cons: Perhaps the largest drawback of a porcelain countertop is that it is prone to scratches and cracks. The countertop fabrication process is trickier when working with high-density materials like porcelain that are prone to scratch and crack. Even finding the right fabricator for the full-sized slabs is difficult since the material is so thin.

• The Investment: Solid porcelain countertops are typically cheaper than granite, marble, and quartz, and once installed, your maintenance cost is also very low.

Toulmin Kitchen & Bath has one of the largest selections of countertops you’ll find anywhere in West Alabama. Whether you’re interested in natural stone or beautiful manmade options, our kitchen and bath design team will help you find the best countertop option for your home.

Our kitchen and bathroom designers work closely with the best countertop manufacturers across the country to source high-quality materials we can use in your home.

Some of the popular countertop brands our clients prefer include Caesarstone Quartz, Cambria Quartz, HanStone Quartz, Silestone Quartz, MSI Q Quartz, Daltile ONE Quartz, Corian Quartz, LG Viatera, Café Wood Countertops, and Grothouse Wood Countertops.

Choosing the right countertops can be tricky. The design of your countertops should set the tone for your entire space while also reflecting your family’s personal style. And the material you choose for your countertops should be durable, sustainable, and in line with how your family uses the kitchen, bathrooms, and other spaces in your home.

Cost, color, and durability are a few of the most important factors to consider when selecting the best countertops for your kitchen or bathroom remodel.

The dollar amount you spend on a new kitchen or bathroom will really depend on the size of your space, the materials used, and a few other factors that are specific to your project. Every project is different. However, our tiered pricing guide (Good, Better, Best) can provide a general guide of the costs associated with a remodel in West Central Alabama.

Our experienced interior design team at Toulmin Kitchen & Bath will help you select the best countertop options for your home based on your family’s unique needs, personal style, and renovation budget.