Material Market Share 2026
Material market share in the countertop industry refers to the percentage of total sales, installations, and fabrication volume attributed to each surface material type --- quartz, granite, marble, quartzite, porcelain, and solid surface --- across residential and commercial projects in a given year.
TL;DR
- Quartz holds the largest countertop material market share in 2026 at roughly 36% of all residential installations
- Granite has dropped to approximately 24% market share, down from 35% a decade ago
- Quartzite is the fastest-growing segment, climbing to about 9% of the market
- Porcelain slabs have doubled their share since 2022, reaching approximately 7%
- Solid surface (Corian-type) materials continue a slow decline, sitting near 8%
- Marble remains a steady niche at roughly 6% of installations
- The total U.S. countertop market is valued at $22.1 billion in 2026
Why Material Market Share Matters for Fabrication Shops
If you run a countertop fabrication shop, the materials your customers ask for directly affect your equipment needs, training requirements, slab purchasing decisions, and profit margins. A shop that stocked 60% granite five years ago may now need to shift purchasing toward quartz and quartzite to match demand.
Understanding market share also affects:
- Slab inventory planning: Ordering materials nobody wants ties up cash. Ordering too little of a trending material means lost jobs.
- Tooling and CNC programming: Different materials require different blade types, cutting speeds, and polishing pads.
- Pricing strategy: Materials with growing demand often carry higher margins, while declining materials may require competitive pricing.
- Workforce training: Fabricating porcelain slabs requires different techniques than working with granite.
2026 Countertop Material Market Share Breakdown
| Material | 2026 Market Share | 2024 Market Share | 2022 Market Share | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quartz (engineered stone) | 36% | 34% | 32% | Growing |
| Granite (natural stone) | 24% | 26% | 28% | Declining |
| Quartzite (natural stone) | 9% | 7% | 5% | Fast growth |
| Solid Surface | 8% | 9% | 10% | Declining |
| Porcelain Slab | 7% | 5% | 3.5% | Fast growth |
| Marble | 6% | 6% | 6% | Stable |
| Laminate | 5% | 6% | 7% | Declining |
| Concrete/Other | 3% | 3.5% | 4% | Slight decline |
| Butcher Block/Wood | 2% | 3.5% | 4.5% | Declining |
Quartz: Still the Market Leader
Quartz countertops have held the top position since overtaking granite around 2018, and the gap continues to widen. At 36% market share in 2026, quartz benefits from:
- Consistent appearance: Homeowners can choose an exact color and pattern, unlike natural stone where each slab is unique.
- Low maintenance: No sealing required, and the non-porous surface resists staining.
- Price stability: Quartz pricing has remained relatively consistent at $50-$120 per square foot installed, making it accessible for mid-range to high-end kitchens.
However, quartz faces regulatory headwinds. Silicosis concerns related to dry-cutting engineered stone have led to stricter workplace safety rules in several states. Australia banned engineered stone fabrication outright in late 2024, and similar discussions are happening in California and other U.S. states. These regulations haven't significantly dented demand yet, but they're increasing fabrication costs by 10-15% as shops invest in wet-cutting systems and better dust extraction.
Quartz Market Share by Brand (Estimated 2026)
| Brand | Estimated Share of Quartz Segment |
|---|---|
| Caesarstone | 15% |
| Cambria | 14% |
| Silestone (Cosentino) | 13% |
| MSI Q Quartz | 12% |
| LG Viatera | 8% |
| Hanstone | 6% |
| Other/Import | 32% |
Granite: A Declining but Significant Segment
Granite's drop from 35% market share in 2016 to 24% in 2026 tells a clear story, but it's still the second most popular countertop material. Granite retains strong demand in:
- Luxury custom homes where buyers want one-of-a-kind natural stone
- Southern and Midwestern markets where granite traditions run deep
- Commercial projects like hotel lobbies and office reception areas
For fabrication shops, granite still represents meaningful revenue. The average granite job runs $55-$130 per square foot installed, and margins tend to be healthy because most shops have years of experience working with the material. The key challenge is that granite's share of new customer inquiries continues to slide by 1-2 percentage points annually.
Quartzite: The Fastest-Growing Material
Quartzite has emerged as the premium natural stone of choice, nearly doubling its market share from 5% in 2022 to 9% in 2026. This growth is driven by:
- Durability: Quartzite is harder than granite (7 on the Mohs scale vs. granite's 6-6.5), making it extremely scratch-resistant.
- Aesthetic appeal: Materials like Taj Mahal and Mont Blanc quartzite offer marble-like veining without marble's susceptibility to etching.
- Premium positioning: At $80-$200+ per square foot installed, quartzite attracts affluent buyers who want the best.
For fabricators, quartzite presents both opportunity and challenge. The higher price points mean bigger ticket jobs, but the material is harder on blades and requires experienced operators. Shops that invest in quartzite fabrication capabilities can differentiate themselves from competitors.
Porcelain Slabs: The Emerging Disruptor
Porcelain slab countertops have doubled their market share since 2022, reaching roughly 7% in 2026. Brands like Dekton (Cosentino), Neolith, and SapienStone are driving this growth with:
- Ultra-thin profiles: Available in 6mm, 12mm, and 20mm thicknesses
- Heat and UV resistance: Porcelain won't discolor in sunlight or scorch from hot pans
- Large format options: Slabs up to 126" x 60" reduce seam requirements
The challenge for fabricators is that porcelain requires specialized tooling and techniques. Breakage rates during fabrication can run 5-8% for shops new to the material, compared to 1-2% for experienced porcelain fabricators. This learning curve means shops need to factor in higher waste costs initially.
Regional Variations in Material Preference
Material preferences vary significantly by geography:
| Region | Top Material | Second Material | Notable Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northeast | Quartz (40%) | Quartzite (12%) | Highest quartzite demand |
| Southeast | Granite (30%) | Quartz (28%) | Granite still competitive |
| Midwest | Quartz (35%) | Granite (27%) | Following national trends |
| Southwest | Quartz (38%) | Porcelain (10%) | Strongest porcelain adoption |
| West Coast | Quartz (42%) | Quartzite (11%) | Highest quartz penetration |
| Pacific NW | Quartz (37%) | Concrete (6%) | Unique concrete niche |
What This Means for Fabrication Shop Operations
Inventory Adjustments
Shops should evaluate their slab inventory mix against current demand. A shop carrying 50% granite inventory when only 24% of jobs use granite is tying up working capital inefficiently. Consider:
- Reducing granite inventory to match actual job mix
- Increasing quartzite and porcelain inventory as demand grows
- Using just-in-time ordering for specialty materials to reduce carrying costs
Equipment and Training Investments
The shift toward harder materials (quartzite) and thinner materials (porcelain) means shops may need:
- Diamond blades rated for harder materials ($150-$400 each, lasting 30-50% fewer cuts on quartzite vs. granite)
- Vacuum lifting systems for large-format porcelain slabs
- Updated CNC programming to handle different material properties
- Staff training on porcelain fabrication techniques (typical cost: $2,000-$5,000 per fabricator)
Software and Nesting Optimization
Different materials have different slab sizes, costs, and waste tolerances. Fabrication software like SlabWise helps shops optimize material usage through AI-powered slab nesting that accounts for material-specific properties. With slab costs ranging from $40-$120+ per square foot, even small improvements in yield (10-15% better nesting) can save $3,000-$8,000 per month.
5-Year Forecast: Where Materials Are Headed
| Material | 2026 | 2028 (Projected) | 2030 (Projected) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quartz | 36% | 37% | 36-38% |
| Granite | 24% | 21% | 18-20% |
| Quartzite | 9% | 12% | 14-16% |
| Porcelain | 7% | 10% | 12-14% |
| Solid Surface | 8% | 7% | 5-6% |
| Marble | 6% | 6% | 5-6% |
| Laminate | 5% | 4% | 3-4% |
| Other | 5% | 3% | 2-3% |
The big story through 2030 is the continued rise of quartzite and porcelain at the expense of granite, laminate, and solid surface. Quartz is expected to plateau near 37-38% as regulatory concerns create a ceiling. The wildcard is whether any U.S. states follow Australia's engineered stone ban, which could dramatically reshape the market.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most popular countertop material in 2026?
Quartz (engineered stone) holds the largest market share at approximately 36% of residential countertop installations in the United States. It has been the market leader since around 2018.
Is granite still popular for countertops?
Yes, granite remains the second most popular countertop material at 24% market share. While its share has declined from 35% in 2016, it still represents a significant portion of the market, especially in the Southeast and luxury custom home segments.
What countertop material is growing the fastest?
Quartzite and porcelain slabs are both experiencing rapid growth. Quartzite has grown from 5% to 9% market share since 2022, while porcelain slabs have doubled from 3.5% to 7% in the same period.
How does material choice affect fabrication shop profitability?
Material choice directly impacts margins. Quartzite jobs average $80-$200+ per square foot installed (higher margins), while granite runs $55-$130 per square foot. However, harder materials like quartzite increase tooling costs and require more skilled labor.
Why is quartz more popular than granite now?
Quartz offers consistent appearance (every slab looks the same), requires no sealing, resists staining, and is available in a wide range of colors and patterns. These practical benefits appeal to homeowners who want a low-maintenance surface with a predictable look.
Will the engineered stone ban in Australia affect U.S. quartz sales?
So far, the Australian ban has not significantly impacted U.S. quartz demand. However, stricter workplace safety regulations in states like California are increasing fabrication costs by 10-15%. If any U.S. state implements a full ban, quartz market share could decline significantly.
What percentage of the countertop market is natural stone?
Natural stone (granite, quartzite, marble, and other natural materials combined) accounts for roughly 41% of the market in 2026 --- still a substantial share despite quartz's rise.
How should fabrication shops adjust to changing material trends?
Shops should align slab inventory with actual job demand, invest in tooling for harder materials like quartzite, consider training staff on porcelain fabrication, and use software tools to optimize material yield across different slab types.
What is the total size of the U.S. countertop market?
The U.S. countertop market is valued at approximately $22.1 billion in 2026, encompassing all materials across residential and commercial applications.
Are laminate countertops still being installed?
Yes, laminate still holds about 5% market share, primarily in budget-conscious projects, rental properties, and DIY installations. However, its share has declined steadily as the price gap between laminate and entry-level quartz has narrowed.
Start Optimizing Your Material Yield Today
Whether your shop fabricates quartz, granite, quartzite, or porcelain, SlabWise's AI-powered slab nesting helps you get 10-15% more usable material from every slab. With material costs ranging from $40-$120+ per square foot, that translates to $3,000-$8,000 in monthly savings. Try SlabWise free for 14 days --- no credit card required.
Sources
- Freedonia Group, "Countertops Market in the U.S.," 2025 Edition
- Natural Stone Institute, "Annual Stone Industry Report," 2025
- Cambria USA, "Quartz Countertop Market Analysis," 2025
- Cosentino Group, "Porcelain Surface Market Trends," 2025
- Kitchen & Bath Business, "Material Trends Survey," January 2026
- International Surface Fabricators Association, "Fabrication Industry Benchmark Report," 2025
- Residential Design & Build Magazine, "Homeowner Material Preferences Survey," 2025