As the busiest room in the house, your kitchen has to be highly functional, flow well and look good. Your countertop material, in particular, must be able to withstand hot pots and pans, wet dishes, spilled food and drinks, and continual food preparation. The countertop material you choose should look great and work with your budget and lifestyle.
Here are the top five favorite countertop materials among homeowners today.
1. Quartz
One of today’s most popular kitchen countertop options, quartz is an engineered stone, combining ground quartz particles and resins. As one of the most practical countertop materials, you can expect low maintenance and high durability with this material. Plus, it doesn’t require a lot of TLC and won’t need to be sealed.
It can mimic granite, marble or any other natural stone, and comes in a wide variety of colors and patterns. It’s a resilient countertop material that’s non-porous, easy to clean and highly resistant to stains.
2. Granite
One of the most durable natural stones available in slabs, granite is cut to fit any kitchen countertop needs. It’s resistant to heat and scratches, and is available in a variety of unique colors and patterns. This material is porous, which means you have to seal it every year at least. sealed.
No two granite countertop surfaces are the same, so you know you’re getting a one-of-a-kind piece. Granite is so popular mainly because of its durability. You can set hot items directly on the surface, plus you can chop food on it as well.
3. Marble
This iconic kitchen countertop option has a stunning appearance. This natural stone, warm and full of class and charm, is soft and porous and must be sealed to avoid staining, just like with granite. You should immediately wipe up any acidic substances, such as wine, lemon juice, or even milk that have spilled on the stone.
Treat marble with care, as it’s fairly soft and prone to chipping and scratching. Slabs come in many colors, many with irregular veining that is the hallmark of classic marble countertops. Most are white with gray veining, but you can also get beige, brown and black marble.
4. Quarzite
Don’t confuse it with quartz: quartzite is a natural stone featuring a neutral color and swirling veins, similar to marble. It’s quite heat resistant but should be sealed every six to 12 months. Quartzite countertops usually feature a sparkling surface that reflects light due to the quartz crystals in the stone.
Coloring is usually white with gray undertones. Sometimes you can get faint rosy or blueish hues, with veining varying from subtle to prominent. This makes a nice alternative to marble; although it’s harder than marble and doesn’t chip as easily, it must be sealed regularly because it’s porous.
5. Soapstone
This is a softer natural stone, best suited for rustic kitchens as it offers a lot of warmth. Soapstone is easy to clean, and you can set hot pots on it without any damage. Coloring is usually dark gray or green, with light gray or white veins running through it. It’s non-porous and doesn’t need sealing to keep stains and bacteria out.
Keep in mind, though, that soapstone is prone to chips and scratches, as it is soft. You can always re-polish it if scratches are too prominent for your liking.
Contact Granite Guy
To learn more about all the stone countertops we offer, or to schedule a free consultation, contact Granite Guy now at 508-460-7900.