Are you looking for the best material for your kitchen countertop? Is it hard for you to decide which one to buy?
For sure, you will agree with us that the kitchen is the busiest part of the house. Hence, we make sure that everything in it will work well for food preparation and cooking. The kitchen countertop is a crucial aspect in the kitchen because we use it for many different activities.
Some countertops would stain and acquire scratches over time. Others are even damaged easily and will discolor. Another usual issue is the heat resistance of the countertop. So, how can you pick the best material for your countertops?
Don’t worry. There is a solution.
All you have to do is look into the pros and cons of every material so that you can decide which one is perfect for your kitchen and your usage.
And we even made it easier for you! Below is a list of kitchen countertop materials and their advantages and disadvantages. Take a look at the list so you can be guided before you make a purchase.
1. Granite
This is the top choice for most homeowners and is usually used for traditional kitchens. It creates a high-end look just like these kitchens. Due to its stone variation, matching up slabs could be tricky. In order to keep its good looks, stains like wine, oil and acid should be wiped up quickly. It should also be stained regularly annually.
Advantage: Because each slab of this natural material is unique, each one has rare colors and distinct veining. It resists heat and it won’t be harmed by cuts and scratches. When properly sealed, the polished and matte finishes could resist most stains.
Disadvantage: The edges and corner could chip and it would cost a lot for a professional to fix it. Periodic resealing is also needed to protect it from stains.
2. Quartz.
If you want one that is maintenance free engineered quartz countertops is the one you need. It is stain, acid, scratch, heat and impact resistant and it doesn’t need to be sealed like natural stone countertops. It comes in a wide range of colors and patterns. It is a combination of mineral, color, and resin. The appearance looks similar to granite.
Advantage: Although it looks like natural stone, it doesn’t need maintenance. You do not need to worry about hot pots, serrated knives, abrasive pads, and most stains. Aside from patterns like marble and granite, it is also available in many vibrant colors.
Disadvantage: The edges and corners may chip like granite. It is advisable to use rounded edges.
3. Laminate Countertops.
By far the most budget-friendly option, laminate countertops are enjoying resurgence in popularity thanks to new patterns that resemble natural stone, wood or even quartz at a fraction of the cost. Retro, mid-century looks like the ubiquitous boomerang and bright, saturated colors are other trendy choices to consider.
Advantage: Inexpensive, easy to install, and so much better-looking than you probably remember, thanks to new printing technology and decorative edges. Stains and heat didn’t damage the laminates we tested.
Disadvantage: Cutting directly on it easily and permanently damages laminate, so use a cutting board.
4. Wood Countertops.
If you want to achieve a cottage kitchen look even for your modern home, wood countertops would be perfect. Aside from being decorative, it is also functional. When properly sealed, wood countertops are sanitary and can even be used for chopping meat. Wood is highly heat-resistant. Hence, users do not need to worry about hot pots and pans on the surface. Most homeowners opt to mix wood countertops with other surfaces like natural or engineered stone. Wooden countertops look great with a wood and white kitchen design.
Advantage: Aside from being beautiful, it also brings warmth to the space. It also literally feels warm to the touch. The edges will last longer than granite or concrete. It can also be recycled or reclaimed.
Disadvantage: Proper sealing is required in order to avoid water damage and to avoid the multiplication of germs since it is a porous surface. It needs refinishing for 10-20 years.
5. Solid Surface
This man-made material is usually composed of a combination of marble dust, bauxite, acrylic, epoxy or polyester resins and pigments. It is most frequently used for seamless countertop installations. You can see at how this material looks like in kitchens with synthetic counterops.
Advantage: Available in a variety of colors and patterns, it can be used for the counters, sink, and backsplash, creating a seamless look because joints are almost invisible. And like quartz, its color won’t vary much from the store sample. Solid surfacing is resistant to most stains, and small nicks and scratches can be repaired.
Disadvantage: It scratches and cuts easily, so a cutting board is a must.
6. Tile Countertops.
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Tile countertops are a great choice especially if you want an inexpensive material that’s easy to maintain. It’s easy to coordinate with or mix and match different design styles. Also, a tile kitchen countertop could be a do-it-yourself project which means you do not need to hire someone to work on it. It can also be perfect for the kitchen backsplash to give your kitchen more appeal.
Advantage: Apart from being able to mix and match it with other designs and colors, it could give an elegant look to your kitchen. It is easy to clean and heat resistance. When damaged, it is also easy to replace.
Disadvantage: Using tiles will result into an uneven surface and it is prone to cracks.
7. Recycled Countertops.
The eco-friendly choice, recycled countertops come in a variety of sustainable materials, including concrete, glass, paper, composite and plastic. Usually a mix of pre- and post-consumer products, recycled countertops are available in a wide range of colors and textures.
Advantage: It looks unique and it is durable. The countertop is also low-maintenance and is resistant to stains, cuts, scratches, and heat.
Disadvantage: It may chip especially when heavy objects are dropped on it. It is also not as durable as other countertops.
8. Concrete Countertops.
Concrete countertops are highly customizable — you can choose any stain color and texture. Concrete mixes well with many different materials, such as glass, tile and marble to create a one-of-a-kind look. Aside from its eye-pleasing appearance, it is energy efficient — when the temperature in your home rises, concrete captures the heat and releases it when the temperature cools down.
Advantage: It creates a seamless look when seam filler is used. You can choose whatever color you want for it and when it is stained properly, it is stain resistant. It is also durable and heat resistant.
Disadvantage: If not properly stained, it will show markings of oil, soda, acid and other spills. To avoid that, it needs to be sealed every three years. There is also a possibility of cracks and it can be very expensive.
9. Stainless Steel Countertops.
Stainless steel lends a modern, industrial look to a kitchen. The metal surface coordinates with any color and is one of the easiest countertop materials to clean — just wipe off stains with a cloth and mild soap. The most appealing characteristic of this material is its ability to inhibit bacterial buildup, making it the most hygienic countertop available.
Advantage: Aside from its tailored look, stainless steel is resistant to almost everything.
Disadvantage: It may dent and scratch. Also, it is also noisy especially if you drop a spoon or any object on it.
10. Glass Countertops.
Aside from its sleek, streamlined appearance, glass countertops have many benefits. Glass can be cut into any shape and texture and the color options are endless. Although it’s a pricier option, the popularity of glass countertops is on the rise thanks to its modern look. It’s easy to keep clean and its non-porous surface makes it stain-resistant and one of the most hygienic countertop materials available. For durability, choose glass that’s at least 1 inch thick and tempered.
Advantage: It is very touch and durable and it won’t easily chip. It is very easy to clean.
Disadvantage: It could crack when a very heavy object is placed on it.
11. Marble Countertops.
The current darling of the design world, the gray-toned veining in Carrara or Calacatta marble isn’t just aesthetically pleasing, it also helps to disguise wear and hide light stains. With timeless appeal, this stone gives any kitchen a decidedly high-end look and, although the cost is comparable to some granite, marble is porous so staining can be a problem. Regular sealing and special care with anything acidic to prevent etching will keep the creamy surface looking its best.
Advantage: If you are working with pastry, marble is good because of its cool temperature. It is widely available and easy to clean.
Disadvantage: Leaving something acidic (like a lemon) on top of it may cause scratching or staining.
12. Soapstone Countertops.
This material is highly stain and bacteria resistant. Soapstone is a non-porous natural stone which is available in a range of gray tones from light to dark. It also features subtle veining. Unlike other natural stones, it doesn’t need yearly but merely period oiling so it can look its best. The application of mineral oil will also help to disguise any surface scratches and it will deepen the stone’s color over time.
Advantage: This natural stone will not crack unexpectedly due to weight or stress. It is very non-porous and it doesn’t require sealing.
Disadvantage: Soapstone is also known as a softer type of stone. It is soft to the touch which is actually its weaker feature. Because of that, one needs to be careful not to cut directly on it or drop heavy objects on it.
13. Limestone Countertops.
A limestone countertop has increasingly become a more popular type of stone countertop due to its remarkable resemblance to marble which is expensive. The beauty of limestone is one thing that makes it a popular material. It gives a kitchen a sleek elegant look.
Advantage: Limestone can be used in whatever interior design you have in your kitchen.
Disadvantage: It has the tendency to scratch easily and it my even discolor. You should also be careful not to put hot pans on it.
14. Travertine Countertops.
Due to its sophisticated luxurious look which has a striking resemblance with marble, travertine has become extremely popular. If you don’t fill and seal its pitted surface, it can trap food and bacteria and absorb liquids, which makes it more high maintenance than other countertop surfaces. Despite its high maintenance, this material is one of the most aesthetically pleasing choices and brings a warm, inviting feel to any kitchen design style.
Advantage: It is an economical and environment-friendly natural stone that can be available in different colors. Aside from enduring stains, it can also survive harsh weather conditions.
Disadvantage: It extremely reactive to acidic solvents and it may discolor. Special products are needed to clean the countertops to retain its look. Alkaline based products are used for cleaning to avoid the danger of etching.
After knowing the advantages and disadvantages of using the different countertop materials for the kitchen, we hope that you are able to decide which one to use for your kitchen. There are indeed so many choices but make sure to pick one that will work well for your usage. Can you tell me which of the above countertops are you using in your home?
Via wildecom builders feed http://www.rssmix.com/
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