Whether you are building a brand new kitchen or remodeling your existing kitchen your countertops are an important part of your overall kitchen décor. And with so many choices it can be a bit overwhelming so now is a good time to do some kitchen countertop comparison!
Transforming you kitchen from drab and dreary to elegant and functional is a much easier task than you might of thought. There’s no reason to have to live with a boring non functional kitchen anymore! In fact these days’ home owners want functionality, durability, and class in their kitchens. So check out your options!
Stone
Stone is luxurious, durable, strong, and it looks great! In fact it does more than look great it looks fabulous! It resists heat and it is scratch and stain resistant too. These days almost 30% of all homes have some type of stone countertop.
Granite
Granite remains popular because it looks stunning and it’s so durable. The price of granite has come down in the past few years so it has become more affordable to the general population. You’ve got plenty of color choices and you can’t go wrong with granite. It’s durable, scratch resistant, and heat resistant. It does need to be sealed regularly.
Quartz
Quartz is becoming even more popular because it is much cheaper and it is actually more durable than Granite. Quartz is very hard passed only by diamonds and sapphires so there is no worry about scratching, hot pots, or other markings. It never needs to be sealed, it always looks classy and rich and it’s so affordable!
Marble
Marble is also very popular. The smooth texture makes of marble makes it very popular and people that like to bake are really fond of marble! It is much softer than some of the other stones so it is more likely to stain and scratch
and you do need to seal it a couple of times each year. The soft colors add a relaxing luxurious feel to any room.
Soapstone
Soapstone was the very first stone used in countertops. The wonderful soft look and feel comes in either blue, gray, or green adds a very rich element to the kitchen decor. It requires an application of mineral oil regularly and it is prone to scratching.
Slate
Slate is very popular and comes in shades of black, blue, and green. It looks beautiful, is heat resistant and just looks awesome in any kitchen. It however does scratch easily.
Jerusalem Stone
Jerusalem Stone is new to the market and gaining in popularity very quickly. It is available in sandy shades and provides a very earthen feel to the kitchen. It comes from the quarries that are near Jerusalem and it is smooth like marble and durable like granite.
Concrete
Concrete is a very unique choice allowing for custom counters in any color or texture that you like and they last forever when properly sealed and cared for. If you want to look different then the rest this is a choice to consider. Make a mosaic, inlay shells, glass, or coins. You are limited only by your imagination.
Ceramic Tiles
Ceramic tiles have plenty to offer. It’s easy to clean, durable, and one of the most affordable choices. When you are renovating it’s a very smart choice because it is very accommodating with existing counters. It’s also great for hot pots and pans, very durable with little fear of scratching, and it looks amazing! You can choose from all kinds of patterns, designs, and colors so no matter your room’s décor there’s a tile that’s going to work! You will need to be grouted correctly in order to seal against water or debris getting underneath.
Laminates
Nevamar, Wilsonart, and Formica all build a laminate countertop that has a plastic coat finish. You can buy your laminate in a variety of colors and it’s very affordable. The biggest draw back to laminate is chips and scratches cannot be repaired.
Solid Surfaces
Just as their name indicates these countertops are solid so they can very easily be sanded to remove any scuffs or scratches. Swanstone, Corian, or Avonite all build quality solids with an excellent choice of stain resistant colors and patterns. You do have to be careful not to damage the surface with hot pots and pans and they are also prone to staining.
6. Butcher Block
Butcher block is made from hardwoods like oak or maple and provide a nice clean smooth countertop that is warm and appealing. It’s easy to clean and if it needs a bit of a facelift just lightly sand and reseal. Butcher block is rich and inviting and it will last a lifetime.
Stainless Steel
If you kitchen is modern and trendy you will like the look of stainless steel with it’s sleek and clean lines. But be warned it can be a bit on the expensive side. But worth every dime! It simply looks fabulous!
That’s it, all your choices laid out for you. Now all you need to do is pick. So after this kitchen countertop comparison which will it be?
