Kitchen & Bathroom Materials Guide

Engineered stone. Non-porous, no sealing required, consistent color. Brands: Cambria, Silestone, Caesarstone. Best for high-use kitchens.

A natural metamorphic stone — not quartz. Harder than marble, requires sealing 1–2x/year. Taj Mahal and Perla Venata are the most popular. Stunning natural veining.

Porous and will etch from acidic foods. Develops patina over time. Calacatta and Carrara marble are most popular. Best for low-use kitchens or baking centers.

Very hard and heat resistant. Requires annual sealing. Wide variety of natural patterns. Less popular in Westchester than it was 10–15 years ago.

Dimensionally stable, holds screws well, moisture resistant. The construction standard for any semi-custom or custom cabinet line worth specifying.

Very smooth surface — ideal for painted doors. Should NOT be used for cabinet boxes. Will swell and fail in moisture-prone environments.

Used in stock and builder-grade cabinets. Poor screw-holding, heavy, moisture-vulnerable. Not appropriate for a quality renovation.

Dense, very low absorption, highly durable. Available in any format, any look (marble, wood, concrete). The right choice for most applications.

Requires sealing. Marble etches. Travertine can crack under heavy impact. Beautiful natural variation. Best in lower-traffic bathrooms.

Higher absorption rate than porcelain. Acceptable for walls, not ideal for floors in wet areas. Lower-cost option.

For backsplash use only. Beautiful reflective quality. Not appropriate for floor or shower floor application.