Your kitchen is likely the hub of your house. It’s busy, it’s crowded, it gets a lot of use, and people tend to gather there. As such, you need this room to be highly functional. It has to flow well, provide ample space for cooking, prepping and eating, and of course, it has to look good.
When considering what kind of countertop material to choose, you need to choose a stone that will be able to withstand wear and tear, the heat from pots and pans, meal prep, wet dishes, and spilled food and beverages. It goes without saying that your countertops should look amazing and complement your lifestyle and budget.
Check out the top five favorite countertop materials that homeowners love.
1. Granite
Granite happens to be one of the most durable slabbed natural stones, and can be cut to fit all kinds of kitchen countertops. It not only resists heat and scratches, it comes in a wide spectrum of unique patterns and colors. Because it’s porous, you’ll have to seal it every year at so it can put up with the rigors of daily life.
Granite countertops are one-of-a-kind, so you know no one else will have quite the same pattern as you. It’s a popular choice due to its durability and heat resistance, meaning you can put a hot pan directly on the surface with no burn marks. Also, you can cut and chop food on it.
2. Quartz
An engineered stone, quartz combines ground quartz particles and resins, resulting in one of the more practical countertop materials you’ll encounter. It’s got low maintenance demands yet high durability and doesn’t need to be sealed like other materials. Plus, it resembles the look of many natural stones such as marble, granite and more. You get your choice of colors and patterns with this highly resilient, non-porous material that’s easy to clean and stain resistant.
3. Marble
As you know, marble has a luxurious and elegant look, best for ornate and upscale kitchens where class is the name of the game. This iconic natural stone is soft and porous so you will have to seal it regularly to avoid staining. Be sure to immediately wipe up acidic substances, such as lemon juice, wine or even spilled milk.
This fairly soft material is vulnerable to chipping and scratching. You can choose from slabs in many colors, with many homeowners appreciating the irregular veining that makes marble so sought after. While veining is typically white with gray, you may also see beige, black and brown marble.
4. Quarzite
Not to be confused with quartz: quartzite is actually a natural stone with neutral colors and swirling veining, kind of like marble. While heat resistant, you should seal your counters every six to 12 months. You will be drawn to its sparkling surface that reflects the light, owing to the presence of quartz crystals in the stone.
You usually see white colors marked by gray undertones, or even a faint rosy or blueish tone. The veining ranges from prominent to subtle, and makes for a more affordable alternative to marble. It’s actually harder than marble though, and does not chip as easily.
5. Soapstone
This soft natural stone is great for rustic kitchens due to its simplicity and warmth. Not only is it easy to clean, you can set hot pots down without worrying about damage. Coloring usually ranges from dark gray to green, but you can also choose from light gray or white veins throughout. This non-porous stone does not require sealing.
Contact Granite Guy
Now that you know the top five kitchen countertop materials, which one will you choose? We can help you decide. Schedule a free consultation today when you contact Granite Guy at 508-460-7900.