What material is best for kitchen counter-top?

Dan Terziev
May 27, 2022
6 min read

Updated: May 24, 2023

So, you go to your kitchen looking for food or snacks, but you suddenly have the urge to change your countertop while looking at it. When a countertop is damaged, burned, discolored, or otherwise unappealing, it can completely transform a kitchen. A new laminate countertop's price per square foot may be as low as $5. On the other hand, quartz, granite, or recycled glass might easily cost ten times as much. The questions are infinite, but the most important one is this: what material will provide you with the finest mix of beauty, style, and maintenance?

The design world is such a hard place to live in, with so many things to consider and apply. But the point of this is to get the best result you can have. The choice of countertop is also a matter of personal preference. The first step in creating a kitchen that works for you is choosing a countertop surface material you like using. The countertops serve as both a background and a focal point in every kitchen, taking up a significant amount of visible space. And the materials and alternatives you pick, such as unbreakable composite slabs or handcrafted tiles, are both functional and aesthetic in their own way.

This article will help you choose the suitable material for your countertop because with the many options right there, it's hard to pick the perfect material that will suit your home and style.

Granite

Granite is one of the toughest and most resistant to wear and tear among natural stones. As a result, it's perfect for busy family kitchens that also need a little bit of opulence. Regular resealing of granite will be necessary to keep it in good condition. Granit is simply the crystalized form of magma heated to high temperatures.

Pros:

Value does not depreciate with granite countertops.
For the most part, the surface is natural, although it has an almost luminescent appearance.
Granite is an excellent way to increase the value of your property.
Granite is hygienic since it doesn't harbor germs.
It can withstand the heat of a pan since it is made via heat and pressure.
Warm water and a light detergent are all you need to clean it.

Cons:

Granite countertops are impenetrable and will never need to be replaced. Changing the color of a counter is not an option, so you'll either have to learn to live with it or tear out the whole thing.
A consistent appearance is not guaranteed with granite since each slab is unique.
Granite is a pricey material, to begin with, and the labor-intensive process of installing it may cost up to three times as much.
If you seal the granite with an existing stain, it will be permanently discolored.
A meat cleaver or other hard, sharp item might cause it to break.
Granite often needs extra structural support when it comes to spans and cantilevers due to its weight.
Granite is difficult to remove from cabinets after it has been cemented on, and doing so may cause harm to the cabinets as a consequence.

Quartz

Crushed quartz crystals make quartz countertops, which are then colored and glued together using polymer resin. In addition to being stain and scratch-resistant, quartz countertops are available in a wide range of hues that resemble the look and feel of granite and marble because of their engineering. Quartz is an excellent countertop material for business establishments like restaurants and bars because of its high level of durability.

Pros:

Durable
Available in many varieties
Quartz is nonporous
Low maintenance
They can fit in any decor

Cons:

Heat can damage the material
Quartz is not easy to install
They are quite expensive

Recycled Glass

To achieve a green look, recycled glass countertops are 78% recycled glass and 13% man-made stone, respectively. You may use them to rebuild your kitchen, bathroom, or business area since they are heat and scratch-resistant and stain-resistant.

Pros:

Your kitchen may benefit from the sleek look of recycled glass surfaces. Even if you're not using it in your kitchen, the glass may be paired with stainless steel and traditional materials like wood, granite, and porcelain to create a sleek contemporary effect.
They're stain-resistant and don't age or discolor like genuine stone, making them easier to maintain. Terrazzo recycled glass worktops are more durable than real granite because of the concrete used in their construction.

Cons:

Glass countertops in the kitchen are prone to breakage, which may lead to expensive and time-consuming repairs. A hard-to-reach placement on top of the oven or cabinet door knobs makes glass surfaces more susceptible to cracking and chipping.
You may believe that the process of creating them is ecologically beneficial, but this is not the case. Bringing resources into the United States from other countries may negatively influence the environment.
Customizing kitchen countertops with different edge patterns is a popular pastime for many homeowners. Glass is among the least adaptable materials. On the other hand, Quartz may take on the appearance of many different materials, including granite and terrazzo.
Recycled glass countertops cost between $50 and $80 per square foot. The cost will rise even more if you choose your own colors and designs. Both repairing and replacing recycled glass countertops have a hefty price tag.

Concrete

Concrete worktops are a modern and adaptable option worth exploring for today's homes and businesses. Countertops made of concrete may look and feel like genuine stone, metal, or wood. Remember that since concrete is porous and hence susceptible to staining, it must be sealed before installation. The filler may be used to hide apparent seams in ample concrete countertops.

Pros:

If you take care of your concrete countertops, they will last you long.
Dishes may be drained off using the built-in ridges in the custom finishes. It is possible to customize each granite slab or concrete to your precise specifications in terms of color, edge profile, and shine.
Countertops made out of concrete are a fantastic option. It's simple for contractors to add unique elements like soap dishes and drainboards to your worktops. The countertop material may be poured into whatever form or size you choose.
In terms of heat resistance, concrete kitchen counters are excellent. With its hard-wearing insulating capabilities and anti-microbial features - such as PolyMetrics - you may move hot pans from the stove to the surface without concern of ruining your lovely new countertops.

Cons:

Your kitchen counters will need to be reapplied with sealer and wax regularly. Cleaning up spills and messes as soon as possible is a primary responsibility for any new kitchen or bathroom facilities to keep up.
Concrete countertops typically cost between $65 and $135 per square foot. Concrete countertops aren't inexpensive because they're made by hand and involve a significant amount of effort. The additional living area they provide will raise the resale value of your property.
It might take anywhere from three to seven days for the body to heal itself, depending on the environment in the United States.

Solid Surface

Countertops made of solid surfaces come in a wide range of colors and designs. They are simple to clean, nonporous, and resistant to mold and mildew. When heated at a high temperature, solid surfaces may also be shaped into practically any form. Solid surface counters are readily scratched and sliced even if they are not heat resistant.

Pros:

There are no seams between the countertop and the rest of the cabinetry.
Even though natural stones such as granite and quartz are more long-lasting, solid surfaces are tough and resistant to damage.
This nonporous countertop material is impervious to stains and germs that may be transmitted via food.
Damage to solid surfaces may usually be smoothed away and restored relatively quickly.
Soap and water or a light home cleaner are all you need to clean these counters.

Cons:

Discoloration, scorching, or even cracking may occur when a hot pan comes into touch with a solid surface.
Because this countertop material is more pliable than actual stone, cutting directly on the surface is more likely to cause harm.
Solid surfaces may be harmed by solid chemicals such as nail polish remover, paint thinner, lacquer, or excessive cleaning.
However, matte and satin finishes may not suit high-use counter areas since they are readily scratched.

If you want to sell your house shortly, invest in new kitchen countertops. When it comes to updating your countertops, appearances aren't everything. When deciding on a surface for your home or company, it's essential to consider how long it will last. Make sure you're aware of the best countertop materials that can stand up to heat and staining and regular use.