It depends what "durable" means to you. Quartz resists scratching and staining better and never needs sealing, but granite handles direct heat better. Granite has a slightly longer average lifespan reported by industry studies, but quartz is generally easier to maintain long-term.

Yes — granite is a porous natural stone and needs sealing roughly once a year indoors to stay resistant to staining from oil and everyday spills. Skipping this lets the stone absorb liquids, which can leave dark blotches that are difficult to fully remove.

It depends on how it's used and how much patina you're willing to accept. Marble etches from acidic foods and drinks, so it's not the most practical choice for a heavily used primary prep zone, but it works well for a baking station, bar top, or for homeowners who like the material's evolving character.

No — countertop templating happens after cabinets are installed and level, since the template captures the exact as-built dimensions. Templating before cabinets are set risks a fabricated slab that doesn't fit correctly.

Seam count depends on your kitchen's total layout and the maximum slab size available for your chosen material. We plan seam placement to land at natural break points, like a sink or cooktop location, to make them as unobtrusive as possible.

An undermount sink mounts beneath the countertop and requires a polished cutout edge, only achievable on solid materials like quartz, granite, or quartzite. A drop-in sink sits on top of the counter with a visible rim and is more forgiving of the countertop material.

Granite handles it well without damage. Marble tolerates moderate heat but not consistently, and quartz is actually the least heat-tolerant of the three — always use a trivet on quartz regardless of how durable it seems otherwise.

Once cabinets are set and templating is complete, fabrication and installation typically take one to two weeks, though exotic or special-order slabs can extend that timeline.