When it comes to kitchen countertop choices, homeowners have many options to choose from. Whether you’re looking for something stylish, classic, or practical, there is something to meet every decor and budget. Here are the best material options for countertops in your home and what you should know.
Granite
The classic option when it comes to countertops, granite is a multifunctional, stylish, people-pleaser. Frequently a focal point in the most elegant of homes, granite defines luxury living in the house, and can elevate even the most simple of spaces.
Homeowners love granite because it is extremely strong and resilient, and can handle even the highest of heat. It also comes in a variety of colors, so it’s never difficult to find a style to match your decor. However, the most significant advantage of choosing granite in your home is that it almost always adds value and sale-ability to your property.
Quartz
An engineered stone option, quartz contains as up to 93% quartz particles, plus other minerals, and is shaped into slabs and bound with resin. Quartz was designed to be a more effective alternative to the traditional choice of marble and granite.
An interior designers dream, quartz comes in a variety of colors and styles and is both scratch and stain-resistant. It is even possible to find quartz that mimics natural marble, in both color and veining. Because quartz is an engineered stone, it does not require sealing, unlike natural stone such as marble.
Marble
Marble is a natural stone which brings a uniquely different finish to each piece. Marble is one of the most expensive materials that you can use for work surfaces, and as a result, less common in residential homes. Typically marble is utilized in bathrooms; however, it can also be found in luxury kitchens. As a natural stone, marble requires sealing to ensure that it’s not damaged or exposed to wear and tear.
Marble is another material choice that can increase the value of a home; however, it should be noted that marble is exceptionally porous and stains easily. It is also easily scratched and can be challenging to repair.
Ceramic Tile
The cheaper alternative to the materials listed above, ceramic tile offers a solution for DIY’ers who want to undertake their own kitchen renovation. With modern technology, porcelain tiles are available in an extensive range of colors and styles, and can even replicate marble and other natural stones.
Ceramic tiles are also extremely heat resistant and easy to clean, which make them an ideal solution for a busy kitchen. However, opting for a ceramic tile doesn’t add the same value to your home that marble or granite might, and it also doesn’t fare as well when it comes to wear and tear.
Laminate
Laminate was once of the most popular countertop materials used in the kitchen. A plastic-coated synthetic that is easy to clean and maintain, laminate can be bought in segments, or be custom-made to fit your needs.
Although laminate doesn’t add value to your home like a natural stone would, it has seen a resurgence in the last few years, due to its trendy on-style pattern options and affordable price point.