Kitchen Countertops

Toronto residents looking to remodel their kitchen are now greeted with a lot more choices for their countertop surface. The good old Butcher block and the evergreen granite are still around. But there are new entrants into the market that most people are unaware of.

Today, we take a look at the top 5 countertop materials according to their popularity.

Granite

Granite continues to be the de facto choice for homeowners in many parts of the world. The completely natural stone available in an array of beautiful colours and patterns is chosen for its durability and low maintenance.

Pros

With a host of colours and patterns that are unique to each slab of granite, it’s an ideal choice for homeowners who prefer exclusivity. Granite is extremely durable and resistant to heat, water and scratches.

Cons

Depending on how well its maintained, you may have to seal the granite once every few years.

Solid Surfaces

Solid surfacing was first introduced by Durian under the brand name ‘Corian’. Its popularity has steadily increased over the past few years as people are beginning to think beyond the ‘natural stone’ craze. Not limited by the availability of colour or patterns, it is now a viable choice for people who like to experiment with vibrant colours and hues which are rarely found in natural stone.

Pros

Completely non-porous, it does not absorb liquids or get stained.

Cons

It cannot be used for your outdoor kitchen in Toronto as direct exposure to sunlight can fade the colour.

Quartz

With the look of natural stone and the advantages of solid surfacing, Quartz or engineered stone is now being touted as the next best thing, after the granite era.

Pros

Quartz is not limited by colour choices. Like solid surfacing, it is completely non-porous and extremely resilient to scratches and heat also. This makes it a durable and maintenance free choice. Considering that its 93% Quartz, it’s not entirely an artificial surface either.

Cons

It cannot be used for your outdoor kitchen in Toronto as direct exposure to sunlight can fade the colour.

Marble

Marble is a timeless classic that will always look fresh in a kitchen setup. Irrespective of whether you have a modern kitchen or a cottage styled home, marble will fit right in.

Pros

It’s an elegant choice with its classic white background and an array of veins and patterns. It blends easily with almost any cabinet and backsplash material. Also, marble like granite is perennially cool. This makes it a perfect choice for baking stations.

Cons

Marble can get stained easily. So, homeowners limit the use of marble to one or two areas of the kitchen where its chances of being exposed to potential stains are low.

Tile

Lastly, we have tile which is a perfect choice for the budget minded homeowner in Toronto. The colour and design choices in Tile are nearly limitless and it blends with almost any kitchen décor.

Pros

Excellent resistance to heat, scratches and stains. Even if a couple of tiles are damaged beyond repair, you can easily replace them provided you stocked up in advance.

Cons

Comes with the dreaded ‘unsealed grout’ which can be a magnet for germs.