One common dilemma homeowners face when remodeling their kitchen is what countertop is right for their kitchen. It can be pretty overwhelming when trying to choose the right countertop material. By learning about the different materials, and the pros and cons of each, you will feel better equipped to make an informed decision.

The overall look, upkeep, and price are major things to consider. Don’t feel like you should just jump on the bandwagon and get granite because you think everyone else is. Do your research and know that there are many options that will look just as good and could fit your style and personality even better.

Another option to consider is using more than one surface in your kitchen. For example, it has become trendy to use a different type of countertop material, for an island, than is prominent in the rest of the kitchen. Most kitchen professionals will tell you they don’t recommend using more than two surfaces or the kitchen becomes to busy and distracting. Being educated and knowing your options will help you to be more satisfied in the long run.

Below are details of the most popular countertop materials used today, generally listed from most expensive to least expensive.

Countertop Materials

Quartz

Quartz continues to gain popularity and is fast becoming the countertop of choice in many areas. It is an engineered stone product, which makes it have a wider range of colors and patterns than granite. You will likely have less of a naturally occurring look and pattern than you get with granite. However, quartz is non-porous, which means that your coffee or soda spills will sit on top of the countertop and not soak in like they do with granite.

Lastly, being non-porous means less microscopic bacteria growing in the tiny pockets and spaces of the stone. You may hear quartz referred to as the “bulletproof” material, being that it’s so strong and easy to maintain. Quartz has the beauty of stone, and the ease and care of solid surface.

Hidden Seams: Fair

Durability: Excellent

Fixability: Fair

Color/Pattern Options: Excellent

Marble

Marble is a type of natural stone formed from limestone. It makes for a more glamorous and elegant type of countertop. It stacks up well to heat, but is more prone to stains since it is softer and more porous than granite.

Hidden Seams: Poor

Fixability: Poor

Durability: Good

Color/Pattern Options: Good

Granite

Granite is a type of igneous rock that occurs in nature.  In other words, it comes straight out of the earth to your kitchen, so to speak. Granite is quite heavy and needs to be used on higher end sturdy cabinets (or they need to be built-up to hold the weight). It comes in a decent variety of colors and patterns.  Because it’s a stone, as long as it is properly maintained, it lasts for a long time and does not show a lot of wear and tear. Granite is porous so it does need to be sealed, and that means it can stain and hold bacteria in food preparation areas.

The price of granite has been steadily dropping for years. You may be able to find granite for your kitchen for less than $40 per square foot.

 

Hidden Seams: Poor

Fixability: Poor

Durability:Excellent

Color/Pattern Options:Good

Solid Surface

Solid surface is a nonporous surface that is made from acrylic and polyester. It does not have to be sealed and is virtually maintenance free. It comes in a wide variety of colors and patterns. It can be susceptible to burns and scratches, but this material is recoverable by someone who knows how to sand or buff out the damage. Solid surface means just that, material that is solid all the way through. So when you sand (fine grit) you don’t expose raw material as you would with other tops. If it’s more than a quick surface scratch, call a certified specialist to fix it.

Hidden Seams: Good

Fixability: Excellent

Durability: Good

Color/Pattern Options: Excellent

Tile

Tile is usually made of ceramic or porcelain.  The colors and style seem almost endless. It holds up to heat and resists stains, however it does chip and crack. If you have trouble, you can replace just one tile instead of the whole countertop if necessary.  You will also want to seal your grout or it will change colors and pick up dirt over time. Tile has become a frequently used backsplash material, but used less for countertops.

Hidden Seams: N/A

Fixability: Excellent

Durability: Good

Color/Pattern Options: Excellent

Laminate Countertops

Laminate shouldn’t be ruled out, especially if you are on a budget. You may be surprised at the different options that are available in laminate. Improvements to the look and feel of laminate, almost to the point where it can resemble more expensive materials such as stone, are now available for a little more than standard laminate price. It is resin fused with paper that is melded to particle board. The pro of laminate tops is that they are typically the least expensive. The frequent cons are that eventually enough water gets into seams and other place to make the laminate bubble up or peel. Also it’s easy to scratch, burn or chip laminate. Life expectancy is much less than stone and other top materials.

Hidden Seams: Fair

Fixability: Poor

Durability: Poor

Color/Pattern Options: Good

Overall there are many options when it comes to choosing countertops. Knowing your options and becoming educated will help you to be satisfied with the end result. There won’t be any unexpected surprises and you will know what you are getting.