Quartz.

least maintenance=quartz (chocolate Truffle)

Check out the new Cambria colors. They look like granite with patterns but have a unique twist to them. I just did a kitchen remodel with Hollinsbrook I love it

My first home had granite, and although I liked the overall look, the maintenance was just too much. When we moved to Charlotte NC, we spoke with a builder who referred us to Web Don. They had amazing quartz slabs to choose from. The maintenance on the quartz is so much easier compared to granite. Some quartz even looks just like granite too! I have been seeing quartz in more homes now, since I also installed quartz countertops. Granite is really becoming a thing of the past.

Whichever you choose, leathering is a nice current trend. Any shiny granite can be leathered and quartz can be purchased with a leathered/suede finish. I agree that shiny granite is losing popularity, but not leathered granite. Soapstone is currently very popular but does require a little bit of maintenance. Quartzite (not quartz) is fantastic (especially if leathered) but very pricey. A very special quartzite island with a simple calm Cambria perimeter is a very nice combo.

Can't go wrong with Cambria quartz! Beautiful and no maintenance.

You will not achieve the same look of granite with any other material but granite. The products that try to imitate it cannot achieve the same level of depth and natural aesthetic. So if you are looking to replicate it you won't be happy.

The quartz products are much more maintenance friendly than granite as they are not porous and do not need to be sealed. However, the look will not be the same. My higher-end clients love the look of Caesarstone quartz. Its a great quality product and looks beautiful. Give it a look.

I've never heard of it being hard to maintain at all. I think that people are just gravitating away from it because its become so common, on to the next thing! I do think that the very busy, speckled granites are overused, especially by builders, it's very boring, beige. People are looking for lighter, brighter, less movement or darker, back to basics like slate and soapstone. But beyond sealing, only very occasionally, I've never heard of anyone complain about maintaining it.

Both GIRSH and jacksonbeth described granite as either "too much" or "much more" maintenance, so that's what I'm curious about. I understand wanting something new or different. I just don't understand the maintenance comments.

I don't understand the maintenance comments either. I had granite for 8 years in my last home. The fabricator sealed it prior to installing and I never did another thing with it. It looked the same the day I sold my house as the day I bought it.

The proper way to take care of the granite is to seal it yearly or every two years with the proper sealer (preferably commercial grade). For some very busy people this just adds to their task list and could be a little burdensome. For others, clearly its not a big deal. For me the aesthetic you get with granite is worth sealing it. Its not that its "much" maintenance, but these things do add up depending on one's schedule and lifestyle.

Natural stone is a great countertop product and should be maintained properly.

I have no problems with granite once so ever, I love the look of it also and maintenance is not that big of a deal. But the question was about which has least maintenance and with quartz there is none.

Had granite in our last home and opted for Cambria quartz in our current kitchen...I prefer the quartz, but can't say I found the granite burdensome! I think it probably just boils down to aesthetic preference...they should both perform quite well for you.

Good luck with your project~

Just installed this beautiful quartz countertop - Quartz Radianz Caucasus Gray - in my remodeled kitchen. I love it! I wanted something different than granite so originally thought to do concrete countertops. I'd seen some that were really beautiful but the weight of them didn't work for our kitchen. My husband's choice (my 2nd) was the leathered look granite in an all black. We saw it installed in a model home and it was gorgeous but I wanted more color! Happy, happy, happy with my choice!

kjmolnar - Have you chosen or decided yet?

If you're looking for granite or quartz countertops with the least amount of maintenance, I'd suggest checking our countertops out. They require zero maintenance and are guaranteed for life. See here- http://www.granitetransformations.com/southjersey/products/granite-countertops/

I think you'll find a color you like. The counters are also lighter than most natural stones, which will benefit your cabinetry and flooring.

Hope this helps!

I did my island in a leather-finish light granite. I used the high gloss version of the same granite for the countertops. I love it and I still have the smooth countertops for baking needs.

Thanks for all of your comments. Still need to decide and work commitments have kept me some doing some more shopping. As for the maintenance question, in addition to the resealing, I was told that if you don't wipe up acidic "spills" right away, they can permanently discolor the granite. Also, so far, I haven't found a granite that I love- the ones I like seem to be the very over-used ones, so thinking of looking at some dark slabs.

I think granite is on its way out the door. Quartz is very low maintenance and beautiful in my opinion.

Honed granite is beautiful though and a little more timeless https://www.houzz.com/photos/honed-granite-phbr0lbl-bl~l_571

I think it wll always end up depending on the kitchen and the quality/appearance of the granite. If a kitchen has a particularly unique and beautiful granite, it will always show well.

I just did my kitchen and love cambrias Laneshaw

I love my granite and I'm not sure about the maintenance part. We have the extended seal which is every 3-5 years and special granite cleaner. Our granite has shiny stones (like ruby or amethyst) and flecks that legitimately look like gold. We did a ton of research and you just don't find that in other materials. I'm a huge fan of granite, but many materials could look beautiful as well!

Quartz is actually harder than granite and thus, more durable. In fact, quartz is nearly indestructible, and because it isn't porous like granite, it's easy to keep your countertops relatively bacteria-free. Be careful with cooking pans though: Quartz can be damaged by excessive heat, so use heating pads at all times.