Granite-Quartz-Marble-Quartzites-Soapstone Manchester NH
Quartz & Natural Stone Countertops
Countertops Are More Than a Surface—They're an Investment in Your Home
Choosing a new countertop is one of the biggest decisions you'll make during a kitchen or bathroom remodel. It's the surface you'll use every day, the first thing people notice when they walk into the room, and one of the features that defines the overall look and feel of your home.
With so many countertop materials, brands, colors, and finishes available today, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. That's why we've created this page differently.
At Goffstown Cabinetry & Flooring, we believe homeowners deserve more than beautiful displays and product brochures. We believe you deserve honest information that helps you make a confident decision. That's why we've gathered everything in one place—from the advantages and disadvantages of different countertop materials to warranties, care and maintenance, brand comparisons, and answers to the questions we hear every day in our Manchester showroom.
Whether you're considering Cambria®, Silestone®, Viatera®, Quartz Plus®, MSI Q Quartz®, granite, marble, or quartzite, our goal is simple: to help you understand how each surface performs so you can choose the one that best fits your lifestyle, your family, and your budget.
Some families need a countertop that stands up to busy mornings, kids, and everyday life. Others want a dramatic statement piece for entertaining or a timeless natural stone they'll enjoy for decades. There isn't one countertop that's perfect for everyone—there's a countertop that's perfect for you.
Take your time exploring the information below. Compare materials, learn about warranties, discover maintenance requirements, and see how each countertop performs in real life.
By the time you visit our
Manchester, NH showroom, you'll have the knowledge to make a confident decision—and we'll be here to help you bring it all together.
And if you have a question we didn't think to put here, you're always welcome to send us an email. We're happy to help.
Our Materials
Cambria
Q Quartz
Cambria is our premium pick — the only family-owned, American-made quartz, crafted in Le Sueur, Minnesota. It's 100% nonporous, so it never needs sealing and shrugs off stains and scratches, all backed by a transferable Full Lifetime Warranty. Hundreds of designs, from soft marble looks to bold statements.
Q Quartz
Q Quartz
MSI's Q is the practical favorite — beautiful, tough, and easy to live with, with a huge range of on-trend looks. It's GREENGUARD Gold certified for healthier indoor air and carries a Limited Lifetime Residential Warranty.
Silestone
Silestone, by Cosentino, is the innovator of the group — known for one of the widest color ranges anywhere and its newer low-silica HybriQ technology made with recycled materials. Durable, low-maintenance, and backed by a 25-year transferable warranty.
Silestone Product Registration
Viatera by LG
Viatera is made in the USA by LX Hausys, blending up to 93% quartz into striking, stone-inspired designs — from bright Calacatta marble looks to moody natural tones. Low-maintenance, beautifully consistent, and backed by a 15-year warranty.
Lg Viatera Colors
Quartz Plus
Granite-Marble-Quartzite-Soapstone
Quartz Plus is a New England quartz brand, based in Chelmsford, MA, built for real life — engineered surfaces that are durable, hard-wearing, and easy to care for.
Granite-Marble-Quartzite-Soapstone
Granite-Marble-Quartzite-Soapstone
Natural stone is for the homeowner who wants something truly one of a kind. Granite, marble, and quartzite are pulled from the earth and cut into slabs, so no two are ever alike — the veining and movement in yours exist nowhere else. It's timeless, and full of character, and because every slab is unique, this is exactly where going to pick your own slab pays off. .
Choosing the right countertop can feel overwhelming
Why quartz has become the #1 countertop choice
Walk into almost any new kitchen today and you'll find quartz on the counters. There's good reason for that. Quartz is an engineered surface: roughly 90 to 93% natural crushed quartz (one of the hardest minerals on earth) blended with pigments and a small amount of resin. That combination gives you the beauty of natural stone with performance natural stone can't match.
Because it's nonporous, quartz never needs sealing and won't absorb spills, stains, or bacteria. A quick wipe with soap and water is all it takes. It's extremely hard, so it resists scratches and chips better than most natural stone. And because it's engineered, the color and pattern stay consistent slab to slab, so what you pick is what you get. The design range is huge too: crisp whites, soft marble veining, bold patterns, even concrete-style modern looks.
One honest note: quartz is heat-resistant but not heat-proof, so always set hot pans on a trivet. Beyond that, it's about as low-maintenance as a countertop gets, which is exactly why so many homeowners choose it.
Quick glance:
- Nonporous — never needs sealing
- Resists stains, scratches & bacteria
- Consistent color slab to slab
- Hundreds of designs, marble-look to modern
- Easy care, great resale value
Quartz vs. Granite (the question everyone asks)
Both are beautiful and built to last. They're just different.
Granite is 100% natural stone that is mined and cut into slabs, making every piece completely unique. It's highly heat resistant and offers timeless natural beauty. Because it's a natural stone, it's porous and requires periodic sealing to keep it looking its best.
Quartz is an engineered surface made from natural quartz, pigments, and resin. It's nonporous, so it never needs sealing, offers excellent stain and scratch resistance, and comes in a wide variety of consistent colors and patterns.
The short version? Choose granite if you love the character and uniqueness of natural stone. Choose quartz if you want beautiful, low maintenance, worry-free durability. Still not sure? That's what we're here for.
Quartz vs. Quartzite: What's the Difference?
Although their names sound similar, quartz and quartzite are two very different countertop materials.
Quartz is an engineered surface made from natural quartz combined with resins and pigments. It's non-porous, doesn't require sealing, and is one of the easiest countertop materials to maintain.
Quartzite is a natural stone formed over millions of years. Every slab is unique, offering beautiful natural movement and excellent heat resistance. Because it's a natural stone, it does require periodic sealing to help protect against stains.
Neither material is better than the other—the right choice depends on your lifestyle, maintenance preferences, and the look you want to achieve.
Want to learn more? Read our in-depth guide, Quartz vs. Quartzite: Which Countertop Is Right for Your Home?, where we compare durability, maintenance, heat resistance, cost, and more.
Quartz vs. Porcelain: What's the Difference?
Both are nonporous, so neither one ever needs sealing, and both shrug off stains and bacteria. The difference is in the details.
Quartz is engineered with a bit of resin, which gives it the widest design range and a soft, forgiving feel, though it's sensitive to high heat, so you'll still want a trivet.
Porcelain is fired clay, so it takes the heat (you can set a hot pan right on it), resists scratches and UV fading, and even works outdoors. The trade-offs: porcelain comes in thinner slabs, its pattern sits on the surface so a cut edge can show a different color underneath, and it takes a skilled fabricator to cut it well, which our partners are. The short version: choose quartz for the biggest range of looks and an easygoing everyday surface, and porcelain for maximum heat, scratch, and UV toughness, inside or out.
How ordering works
Your New Countertops Step by Step
New countertops are one of the most exciting parts of a kitchen project, and one of the most lasting, so we take the time to get it right with you. Here's exactly how it goes from first visit to final install, with no surprises along the way.
- Start in our showroom. Schedule a time or just stop in. There's really no substitute for seeing and touching the real thing, because a photo on a screen never tells the truth about color, finish, or how stone catches the light. If you already have cabinets, bring a loose piece if you can (a filler, a drawer, or a door), and a flooring sample too. Can't carry them in? A few clear photos work. Here's why it matters: a countertop reads warmer or cooler depending on what surrounds it, and seeing your real cabinet and floor colors next to the samples lets us steer you toward a shade that makes the whole room feel pulled together instead of slightly off. And please, take samples home. Living with a piece in your own light for a day or two will tell you more than an hour under showroom lighting ever could.
- Get your quote. If you already have measurements, we'll write them down while you're here. If not, no problem at all. Bring photos of your whole kitchen and we'll teach you a few quick ways to measure it yourself, so we can get you a real number to plan around. A solid quote up front is what keeps the rest of the project surprise-free. Let's talk about your sink. Before anything gets cut, we'll confirm the dimensions of your sink cabinet so we can help you choose a sink that fits the base perfectly. It's tempting to reuse your old sink to save a little money, and that's fine if it's nearly new and you love it. For everyone else, we almost always recommend a new one, because once the cut-out is made you're committed to that exact size and shape for as long as you have your tops. That's a pricey mistake to undo, so take your time and pick a sink you'll genuinely enjoy using. Most sinks today are undermount, mounted below the surface and a bit deeper than the older drop-in style, with the exception of some newer models. And if your faucet is still in good shape, you're welcome to reuse it.
- Place your order and choose your slabs. Once your order is placed, we'll send you to view your actual slabs, and honestly, this is one of the best parts. Stone is a natural material, so every slab has its own personality: the veining, the movement, the way the color drifts across the surface. The slabs you fall for get marked with your name and set aside just for your project, so the piece you picked is the piece that ends up in your kitchen. While you're there, you'll also choose your edge profile, the finishing detail that quietly shapes the whole look, from a soft eased edge to something more sculpted.
- Template. Next we schedule the template, where we measure your space down to the smallest detail. A little prep makes this go smoothly: if we're replacing existing countertops, they'll need to come off and the plumbing disconnected first, and your cabinets need to be level and structurally sound. We're sticklers about this, and for good reason. Stone is strong but it doesn't flex. Set it on cabinets that shift or sit unlevel and, over time, you can end up with cracked seams or even a broken top. Getting the foundation right now is what lets you enjoy these counters for decades.
- Approve your drawings. After the template, we'll send you the drawings to look over. This is your chance to confirm every detail before a single cut is made. Once you give the okay, your project heads to production.
- Fabrication and installation. Your tops are cut, polished, and sealed before they ever reach your home, and natural stone comes pre-sealed, so there's nothing for you to do on day one. Most projects run 7 to 14 days depending on complexity. Then our team installs your finished countertops, and you get that first look at the whole room coming together.
- Enjoy them for years. Beautiful, hard-working, and built to last, backed by the manufacturer's warranty. That's been the goal from the very first visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does quartz need to be sealed?
No. Quartz is nonporous, so it never needs sealing. Natural stone comes to you already sealed, and just needs occasional re-sealing over the years to keep it looking its best.
Quartz or Granite- which lasts longer?
Both last decades with care. Quartz is lower-maintenance (no sealing, very stain-resistant). Stain resistant doesn't mean stain-proof. The granite offers natural, one-of-a-kind character. It comes down to the look and upkeep you prefer.
What is quartzite, and is it the same as quartz?
No, they're different. Quartzite is 100% natural stone, formed when sandstone fuses under heat and pressure into a very hard, durable rock. It often looks like marble but holds up far better to everyday life. Quartz, on the other hand, is engineered: natural quartz blended with resin. So quartzite is natural and porous (it needs occasional sealing), while quartz is man made and nonporous (no sealing ever). Both are beautiful and tough, so it comes down to the look and upkeep you want.
Can I put a hot pan directly on quartz?
Use a trivet. Quartz is heat-resistant but not heat-proof, and extreme heat can damage the surface.
Does lower-level granite mean lower quality?
No. Granite is sold in "levels" or grades, but that reflects rarity, color, how dramatic the veining is, the origin, and sometimes thickness, not durability. A Level 1 granite can be every bit as hard and long-lasting as a Level 5. You pay more at higher levels for a rarer, more exotic look, not for better performance.
Does any of our granite come from the Granite State (NH)?
Almost certainly not, even though New Hampshire is nicknamed the Granite State. NH's historic quarries mostly produced building and monument granite (think state buildings and memorials), not countertop slabs.
Where do most granite slabs come from?
The large majority are quarried in Brazil and India, the two biggest exporters, with more coming from Italy, China, Canada, and elsewhere.
How often should you seal granite?
A good rule of thumb is about once a year. Easy test: splash a little water on the stone, and if it darkens or soaks in within a few minutes, it's time to reseal. Denser, darker granites often need it less often; lighter, more porous ones may need it more.
Is quartz scratch-proof?
No, it's scratch-resistant. Quartz is one of the hardest surfaces you can put in a kitchen and shrugs off normal wear, but a knife or sharp object can still leave a mark. Treat it as tough, not invincible.
Can I cut directly on my countertops?
Better not to, on any surface. On quartz, cutting can scratch the top and will dull your knives fast. On granite, the stone can handle it, but it'll ruin your knife edges and can chip near seams or edges. A cutting board protects both. (And always use a trivet for hot pans.)
Do I get to pick my own slabs?
Yes — we send you to view the actual slabs before you decide, so you choose the exact piece for your home.
How is countertop pricing figured?
Countertops are priced by the square foot, and the number depends on the material and the specific design or grade you choose (natural stone especially varies slab to slab). Your edge profile, sink cut-outs, and the size of your kitchen factor in too. Bring your measurements or photos and we'll get you a real quote to plan around.
