Marble is also very popular. Its smooth vein texture makes it very popular with people who like to bake. Marble countertops cost between $50 and $100 a square foot and are just one of your many countertop options.
To help you decide what countertop is best for your kitchen it helps to try to focus a little bit on what you really are looking for. Ask yourself these questions.
1. What type of texture do you like – smooth or textured?
2. Do you want a sink that is an integral part of the countertop?
3. What type of cleaning are you prepared to do?
4. What type of color do you want? Solid, broken, veins, patterned?
5. What type of material do you want? Manmade or natural?
6. What will you be doing on your countertop? Slicing, dicing rolling dough?
7. Do you want to set hot pots on the counter?
8. Are you worried about juice spills?
9. Are you willing to reseal on a regular basis as required?
10. What is your budget?
Answering these questions will help you determine whether marble or another material type is best for your kitchen. Whether your sure granite is the one for you or you’ve fallen heads over heals with marble there is definitely no shortage of options.
If you’re looking at this from a practical point of view then here are some things you need to know.
1. Solid surfaces, quarts, and natural stone tend to be the most durable and hold up the best.
2. If you’ve got young kids and you think there might be a whole lot of spilling going on then quartz or stainless steel are good choices.
3. Like to bake and roll dough then marble or wood are good choices.
4. Seeking trendy variety and not looking for a lifetime commitment then laminate offers the most choices. All kinds of decorative choices in colors, patterns, and shapes.
5. Concrete offers a unique surface that can be finished however you like and it’s affordable and lasts forever.
6. Stainless offers a special looks that is clean, trendy, and contemporary.
7. Wood looks great in just about any kitchen but it looks exceptional in a country kitchen.
8. Lava stone is a great alternative that’s certainly worth considering especially if you want to present a unique look that’s still truly durable.
9. Soapstone is warm and inviting and certainly a stone option worth considering. It’s nonporous so bacteria and staining aren’t a problem.
10. If you really want something unique checkout the hemp based countertops that are just new to the market.
You might consider combining different materials to get the best of all worlds. A granite island, combined with a marble baking area, and a butcher block food preparation area. Now how functional is that? Read on to find out the characteristics of these common stones.
1. Granite
Granite is the most durable of all the stones and it is also chip and scratch resistant. You can roll dough, cut, and place hot pots directly on granite with no worry about damaging it. Because stone is porous you will need to apply a special sealant about once a year
Marble
Marble is smooth and cool to touch making it a traditional favorite for rolling dough and making pastries. It doesn’t have the durability of granite and it does require the sealant to be applied every couple of months to stop staining.
Slate
Slate has been used for centuries to create stylish roofs that are completely weather resistant. In recent years the durability, strength, and natural beauty of slate are appearing in the kitchen more often and what a great choice. You will want to use a sealer on a regular basis.
Limestone
If you cook lots or you are messy limestone might not be the best choice for you. It offers a wonderfully unique naturally weathered look that’s really second to none but because it is so porous it stains really easily. Jerusalem limestone from the Holy Land, is a dolomite-limestone isn’t quite as prone to staining.
Soapstone
This is the original stone used in countertops. It’s easy to maintain. Stains can be easily rubbed out and a regular coat of mineral oil with will protect from staining and give it a nice rich color.
Stone countertops of any sort are a wise investment. You’ll never again have to replace your counters and the next time you do a kitchen remodel you’ll just need to deal with the other cosmetics like paint and accessories. Stone will morph to whatever your décor – it will go from trendy to traditional in 30 seconds!
Because marble is so much softer so it is susceptible to staining and scratching, and thus might not be the right choice for all kitchens. But marble countertops shouldn’t be overlooked either because regular sealing will result in much more durable product and lets not forget the “wow factor” of marble!
