Walk-in slab yard at 7517 Orr Rd, Charlotte · No appointment

Mon–Fri 9 AM–5 PM · Sat 9 AM–1 PM

Serving Charlotte and 100 miles around

(704) 246-7462

Granite · Quartz · Quartzite · Marble · Dolomite · Exotic

Countertop Materials Charlotte NC: Compare Granite, Quartz, Quartzite and More

Looking for countertop materials Charlotte NC? See how each stone looks, wears and is priced, then walk our slab yard and pick the exact slab for your kitchen or bath.

Rows of granite, quartzite and marble slabs in the Cornerstone slab yard in Charlotte

Cornerstone Countertops & Cabinetry fabricates and installs countertop materials in Charlotte, NC: granite, quartz, quartzite, marble, dolomite and exotic stones such as soapstone, crystal and semi-precious agate. This page is for homeowners choosing a stone for a kitchen, bathroom, fireplace or outdoor kitchen. We cut every slab in our shop at 7517 Orr Rd and install within 100 miles of Charlotte, including Matthews, Waxhaw, Mint Hill and Ballantyne.

Our materials

Six Countertop Materials, Fabricated in Our Charlotte Shop

Each material has its own look, care routine and price range. Start with the one that fits how you cook and clean.

Side by side

How to Choose the Right Countertop Material

Match the stone to how you use the room. Every material below is installed 7 business days after measurement.

Countertop materials compared: type, best use, care and finish options
Material Type Best for Choose it when Everyday care Result
Granite Natural (igneous) Busy family kitchens, outdoor kitchens You want natural stone at the lowest starting price Wipe with mild soap; reseal periodically Unique pattern, tolerates heat well
Quartz Engineered Kitchens and baths that should look the same for years You want low maintenance and a consistent color Soap and water; no sealing; use trivets for hot pans Even look, limited 15-year warranty
Quartzite Natural (metamorphic) Statement islands, heavy-use kitchens You love the marble look but want a harder stone Mild soap; reseal periodically Marble-like movement, very hard surface
Marble Natural (metamorphic) Vanities, fireplaces, baking areas Classic veining matters more than a perfect finish Wipe acidic spills quickly; reseal periodically Timeless look that gains character
Dolomite Natural (sedimentary) Bright kitchens and baths You want a white marble look with more durability Wipe acidic spills quickly; reseal periodically Soft white veining, sturdier than marble
Exotic stone Natural (soapstone, crystal, agate) Islands, bars, fireplaces, accent pieces You want one piece people remember Depends on the stone; we explain care at selection One-of-a-kind statement surface

Starting prices per square foot, installed

  • Classic Granitefrom $29.95
  • Semi-Exoticfrom $58.95
  • Super Exoticfrom $119.95
  • Semi-PreciousCall for pricing

Includes the stone, templating, cutting, a flat polished edge, installation and kitchen sink installation. See countertop prices and what's included.

Our process

How We Help You Choose and Install Your Stone

You decide with the real slab in front of you, and we take it from template to installation in 7 business days.

  1. 1. Compare Materials

    Use the table above or call us. We narrow the choice to two or three stones for your room.

  2. 2. See Real Slabs in Our Yard

    Walk in any time we are open. Look at full slabs, finishes and edges side by side.

  3. 3. Template and Fabrication

    We measure your cabinets and cut your slab on our CNC, with water to keep the dust down.

  4. 4. Installation and Care

    Our crew installs your countertops and shows you how to care for your stone.

Not sure which stone fits your kitchen? Tell us how you cook and clean, and your estimate compares two or three slabs side by side, starting at $29.95 per sq ft installed, with our 1-year warranty on every job.

Compare Stones in My Free Estimate

Why Cornerstone

Why Choose Your Countertop Material at Cornerstone

More stone types, real slabs and straight answers, from the team that fabricates them.

  • 8 Stone Types Under One Roof

    Granite, quartz, quartzite, marble, dolomite, soapstone, crystal and agate, all in one place.

  • Walk In, No Appointment

    Open Monday to Saturday on Orr Rd. Bring your family or designer and decide together.

  • Your Exact Slab, Not a Sample

    Every natural slab is unique, so you approve the actual piece before we cut it.

  • Polished, Leathered and Honed Finishes

    See the same stone in different finishes and choose the feel that suits your kitchen.

  • Cut on Our CNC With Water

    Automated cutting gives clean edges, and wet cutting keeps stone dust under control.

  • Real Sales Data, Not Guesswork

    White quartz with gray and gold veins sells most, and Taj Mahal quartzite is trending.

Stone know-how

What Most Countertop Sellers Don't Explain: Hardness, Etching and Silica

Every material on this page makes a great countertop. These four topics help you pick the one that fits your habits, so you love it for years.

Scratch Resistance: The Mohs Scale

The Mohs scale ranks minerals by how easily they scratch, from 1 (talc) to 10 (diamond). Higher numbers resist knives and pots better.

Quartzite and Granite

The hardest options we carry. Ideal when you cook every day and want the least worry.

Quartz

Hard and very consistent. Use a cutting board and trivets, as with any countertop.

Marble and Dolomite

Softer, with dolomite the tougher of the two. Beautiful where knives and acids are less frequent.

Etching Is Not Staining

A stain is a liquid soaking in; sealing prevents it. Etching is a dull spot where an acid like lemon or vinegar touches stone that contains calcite, such as marble and dolomite. Wiping spills quickly keeps the finish even, and quartzite, granite and quartz are not affected the same way. Read our dolomite, quartzite and marble comparison.

Engineered Stone and Silica

Engineered quartz contains crystalline silica. The health concern is dust created while cutting slabs in a shop, not a finished countertop in your kitchen. We cut on an automated CNC with water to keep dust under control. Learn more in what homeowners should know about engineered stone and silica.

4 Checks Before You Approve a Slab

A few simple checks give you confidence that the stone you pay for is the stone you get. Our team walks you through each one in the yard.

Test "Quartzite" With Glass

True quartzite scratches glass. Ask to test a sample; see how to tell quartzite from marble.

Get the Slab Named in Writing

Your estimate should name the stone and color, so the price matches your choice.

See the Full Slab

Look at the whole slab, not a small sample, to see its real movement and color.

Plan the Seams Together

Ask where the seams will fall on your layout before cutting. We show you first.

Service areas

Countertop Materials Installed in Charlotte and 100 Miles Around

Choose your stone in Charlotte, and we install it within a 100-mile radius of our shop, in North and South Carolina.

Check If We Serve Your Town

Reviews

What Homeowners Say About Their Stone

Homeowners rate Cornerstone 4.9 on Google. Here is what three of them wrote.

  • Cornerstone did such a beautiful job on our granite countertop. They had a unique idea to take out the sink backsplash and extend the whole counter into an overhanging bar. So pleased with our granite countertop and enjoy looking at it every day. They are a pleasure to work with. Highly recommend!

    Grace S.Google review · Granite countertop
  • Two other counter companies didn’t seem interested in helping us, probably because we only wanted new counters and a cabinet repositioned. The team at Cornerstone was wonderful. They helped us select a piece of quartz that was in our budget and kept in contact to let us know what time the installers would come each morning. Kudos to Cornerstone for making our little job feel important!

    Karen GazzardGoogle review · Quartz countertops
  • We really love our new bathroom countertops! Found exactly what we wanted from a great selection, and the process was amazingly easy and professional. Highly recommended!

    Nancy PooleGoogle review · Bathroom countertops

Read what homeowners say about us

FAQ

Countertop Material Questions

Short, direct answers to what homeowners ask before choosing a stone.

Which is better, quartz or granite?

Both are excellent. Quartz is low-maintenance and consistent; granite is natural, tolerates heat well and starts at a lower price. Read our quartz vs granite guide.

Is granite outdated in 2026?

Not for many homeowners. Granite is the most affordable natural stone in our yard, handles heat well and suits busy kitchens and outdoor kitchens. See granite colors in stock.

What is the downside of quartz countertops?

Quartz is best kept away from direct high heat, so use trivets for hot pans. Indoors it needs no sealing and carries a limited 15-year warranty.

Is quartzite better than quartz?

Quartzite is natural and very hard, with marble-like movement; quartz is engineered and more uniform. Compare them in quartzite vs quartz.

Is marble a good kitchen countertop?

Yes, for homeowners who love its look and wipe acidic spills quickly. Many choose marble for vanities, fireplaces and baking areas. See marble countertops.

What is a dolomite countertop?

Dolomite is a natural stone that looks like white marble but is tougher. Read what a dolomite countertop is.

Do natural stone countertops need sealing?

Yes, granite, quartzite, marble and dolomite benefit from periodic sealing, a quick job that helps the stone resist stains. Quartz does not need sealing.

Can I put hot pans on quartz?

Use a trivet. Quartz contains resin, and direct high heat can mark the surface. A trivet takes care of it.

Which countertop material is the most durable?

For daily cooking, quartzite and granite are the hardest natural options we carry, and quartz is the easiest to maintain.

Can I see the slab before I buy?

Yes. You pick your exact slab in our yard at 7517 Orr Rd, with no appointment. Plan your visit to our slab yard.

Guides

Countertop Material Guides

Deeper comparisons for when two stones are still on your list.

Free estimate

Not Sure Which Stone? Get a Free Countertop Quote

Tell us about your room and the stones you like. We reply with starting prices and the best time to see your options in the yard.