Kitchen Countertops Materials

When you are starting to look at a kitchen renovation you might be overwhelmed by the sheer amount of choices there are for pretty much every aspect of the space you want to renovate. Specifically when it comes to select the material for your countertop there are, seemingly, endless options but that does not mean every option is going to be right for you as there are pros and cons to each one. Here are the pros and cons to some of the more common materials used for kitchen countertops.

Granite

Pros: granite is a natural material that comes in a variety of colours and patterns so no two counters will be the exact same. It also is quite durable and will stand up to much of the wear and tear your family will put it through daily including spills, splashes, nicks from knives and even heat from hot pans.

Cons: like a lot of other natural stone products granite will have to be sealed approximately every 3 – 5 years, depending on wear. Further, the product itself will be very in comparison to other counters so you will need to make sure your cupboards allow for this weight and will support the new counter.

Cost for granite: anywhere from $35 - $100 per square foot, installed.

Solid Surface

Pros: this material is nonporous so, unlike its natural stone counterparts, it does not actually need to be sealed periodically making it almost maintenance free. It is, however, vulnerable to scratches or burns but they can be sanded and retouched if needed. There is a huge variety of colour and patterned options for this material, which is great if you are looking for something much more vibrant and do not particularly want a ‘natural’ look to your counters. Finally this is installed seamlessly meaning you will not have any cracks to catch dirt, debris or bacteria in.

Cons: this material does not stand up to hot pans, spills or knives as well as something like granite, but its look is so versatile that you can either have it look incredibly artificial or have it bordering on the natural look of stone and the price of it can reflect either one.

Price for solid surface: $35 - $100 per square foot, installed.

Quartz Surfacing

Pros: this material is very similar to solid surface in that the maintenance required is very low, and because it is an engineered product it is actually available is a greater variety of colours and patterns than some of its natural stone competitors are.

Cons: after it is installed it might become very obvious that this material is a manufactured one as it does not have the same gradient that natural materials would have. It can be very pricey, but because it is so durable it might be a valid investment depending on your lifestyle needs.

Price for quartz surfacing: $40 - $90 per square foot, installed.

Marble

Pros: the look of marble is really incomparable to anything else. It is also resistant to heat damage and it is a great choice for pastry or baking counters.

Cons: it is very easy to stain marble even if the material has been properly sealed. It is a material that is often installed in a small section of a kitchen, specifically where baking might taking place. This material can also scratch and chip easier than others.

Price for marble: $40 - $100 per square foot, installed.

Soapstone

Pros: it naturally has a soft look to it that fits well with older homes, or ones that have a cottage-like feel to them. This material starts with a medium gray colour, but it will darken over time which could be seen as a con, depending on your preference.

Cons: this material needs to be polished to keep it in great shape. Over time cracks can appear and it just does not handle scratches or nicks the way some other types of stone do. Further, the surface of this material is naturally rough so it can scuff delicate glassware or dishes.

Price for soapstone: $70 - $100 per square foot, installed.

There are pros and cons to every material out there when it comes to kitchen countertops, so finding the one that benefits you and your lifestyle the most is really important especially when it is such a large investment into your home.