Top 10 Materials for Kitchen Countertops

For some time, granite has been the countertop material of choice when there are no other things to think about—such as money. Granite defines elegance in a kitchen. Even modest kitchens seem like luxury spaces when flavored by the beauty of granite countertops. 

Historically, granite has been an expensive material, but its cost has come down somewhat as supplies have increased and engineered stone has become more common. 

Pros:

• Almost impervious to heat
• Nearly 3,000 different colors and types available
• Very strong and durable
• Adds real estate value to home
• Nearly maintenance-free when treated with newer sealers

Cons:

• Very expensive material
• Slabs may have imperfections
• Stone is porous and requires sealing to avoid stains
• Can crack if stressed or improperly installed
• Not suitable for DIY installation
• Knives are quickly dulled by cutting on granite

Soapstone is another natural stone, usually dark gray in color with a smooth, silky feel. It has seen a recent resurgence as an alternative to granite. Soapstone is often seen in historic homes but is also used in modern homes as both a countertop and sink material. Over time, soapstone takes on an antique-like patina that can be very attractive in certain kitchen styles. 

Contrary to expectations, the architectural soapstone used for countertops is actually quite hard and resistant to stain. However, it will scratch over time, although this can add to the antique patina of the stone

Pros:

• Offers antique, historic look to a kitchen
• Deep, rich color
• Somewhat stain resistant
• Damage can be sanded out
• Fairly impervious to heat

Cons:

• Must be treated with mineral oil
• May darken over time
• Surface can scratch and dent, though this can create an attractive antique look
• DIY installation not possible

Another natural stone commonly used in kitchen countertops is marble. Because no two sheets of marble are exactly the same, each marble countertop will be entirely unique.

Because of its extremely high price tag, marble is not often seen on the countertops of whole kitchens. More often, its luxurious look is limited to use on an island or section of countertop reserved as a baking center.

Although highly prized, marble may not be the best choice for kitchens, due to its penchant for staining and scratching. Newer sealers can reduce the upkeep on marble, but this is a considerably more temperamental stone than granite or soapstone.

Pros: 

• Exceptionally beautiful stone, with unique veining
• Adds to real estate value of a home
• Waterproof and heatproof

Cons:

• Expensive
• Stone is porous and stains easily unless sealed
• DIY installation not possible
• Can be scratched; repairs are difficult

The countertop material known as "quartz" is actually an engineered stone product that contains as much as 93 percent quartz particles and other minerals, shaped into slabs and bound with resins. These are not solid quartz slabs produced by quarrying.

Sold by companies such as DuPont Zodiaq, LG Viatera, Cambria, and Silestone, quartz was created as a more adaptable and better-performing alternative to granite and marble. It is available in a larger range of colors than granite and has a nonporous surface that resists both scratching and staining. Some types are convincing copies of natural marble, with similar veining. Unlike natural stone, engineered quartz requires no annual sealing.

Similar technology is now being used in so-called glass countertops, which consist of particles of recycled glass blended with resins and shaped into countertop slabs. Consumers keen on being on the cutting edge may want to consider glass as well as quartz countertops. 

Pros: 

• Can be custom-fabricated in any size and shape
• More convincing, natural appearance than solid surface material
• Easy to maintain, no sealing required
• Resists stains and is impervious to heat and acid
• Slabs are uniform, with no imperfections
• DIY installation possible, though countertops are very heavy

Cons:

• Expensive

Solid-surface material, sold under brands including Avonite, Corian, and Swanstone, is a man-made material consisting of a blend of acrylic particles and resins that are pressed into sheets and other shapes. Solid-surface countertops and sinks have now been around for nearly 50 years, but at the time of introduction, they were regarded as space-age alternatives to natural stone, which they sought to mimic. 

Once regarded as premium, luxury countertops, solid-surface material is now considered somewhat mid-tier, but it is still an excellent choice for mid-range kitchens. It can also be a good material in high-end kitchens with a lot of countertop space that would be prohibitively expensive to cover with granite or quartz. 

Pros:

• Available in many, many colors and patterns
• Seams are virtually invisible
• Resists staining
• Damage can be easily sanded out
• Integrated sink/countertop units are available

Cons:

• Vulnerable to damage from hot pans
• Moderately expensive
• No DIY installation; must be fabricated by pros

Ceramic tile is durable and easy to clean, and it is considerably less expensive than natural stone, quartz, or solid-surface countertops, especially for DIYers willing to do their own work.

Recent innovations in porcelain tiles offer many more design options than ever before, including tiles that look like wood, marble, or even leather or cork. Ceramic and porcelain tiles offer more design options than nearly any other countertop material. 

Pros:

• An enormous range of colors and styles available
• Usually affordable
• Immune to heat damage from hot pans
• Easy to clean
• Easy for DIYers to construct

Cons:

• Grout lines can stain and are difficult to clean
• Tile are brittle and may crack under impact
• Custom tiles can be very expensive
• Does not carry the same prestige as granite or quartz

Laminate counters bear trademarks such as Formica, Nevamar, and Wilsonart. The laminates are plastic-coated synthetics with a smooth surface that's easy to clean. Countertops are made by bonding the laminate sheets to a particleboard (MDF) core. Laminate countertops can be purchased as pre-formed segments (called post-form countertops), or custom-fabricated to specifications, either on-site or in a fabrication shop. 

Although for many years regarded as ​a poor cousin to more premium countertop materials, laminates have seen a recent surge in popularity, thanks in part to the thousands of colors, patterns, and styles now available. Laminates are especially popular in retro designs, particular mid-century modern kitchens.

Pros:

• Thousands of options available
• Very easy to maintain
• Very inexpensive countertop option
• DIY installation is relatively easy​

Cons:

• Surfaces can be scratched and chipped; damage is almost impossible to repair
• Seams are always visible
• Custom edging and backsplash treatments can add expense
• May be viewed as "low-end" by potential home buyers

Wood countertops offer a beautiful warm look and are available in a wide range of colors and finishes. Hardwoods such as maple and oak are the species most often used as countertop woods.

Pros:

• Offers a quaint, country look in most kitchens
• Relatively easy to clean
• Can be sanded and resealed, as needed
• Very long-lasting when properly cared for

Cons:

• Can be damaged by water and stains over time
• Surfaces can be scratched and cut by knives
• Wood is subject to cracking if not maintained; must be oiled and sealed frequently
• Bacteria can be a problem if not properly maintained
• Fairly expensive countertop material

For a really contemporary and industrial look for your kitchen, stainless steel is a good choice. Stainless steel countertops are heat resistant and durable. Because they're constructed to your specifications, you can have a seamless countertop.

Pros:

• Excellent for modern-style kitchens
• Impervious to heat damage
• Easiest of all countertop materials to clean
• Regarded as "premium" countertop; adds real estate value

Cons:

• Very expensive to fabricate
• Can be easily scratched; not a cutting surface
• Noisy

If you have countertops in unusual shapes, or if you want a truly unique kitchen, concrete may be a good choice for your countertops. Due to their heavy weight, concrete countertops are usually cast in forms right in your kitchen. These are not the same kind of concrete slabs used in sidewalks, but highly polished slabs that may even be textured or acid-stained to produce colors. 

Although concrete can be subject to cracking, new treatments can reduce this tendency. The porousness of concrete can be reduced with additives. 

Pros:

• Heat and scratch resistant
• Can be color-tinted
• Provides a look that is exotic and unusual
• Decorative textures and colors are possible

Cons:

• Costs are high due to custom work
• No DIY installation possible
• Cracking may occur over time
• Appearance may seem "industrial'; may be viewed negatively by future home buyers 
• Surface is porous unless regularly sealed