What type of countertop is best for my kitchen and bathroom remodeling projects?
As an interior designer for home remodels, I often get questions about the pros and cons of different types of countertops. Of course, all types have their good and bad sides, and the overall look you want to achieve with your remodeling project will also be an important factor, as will durability and ease of maintenance. Here is a rundown of the most common types of countertop materials and some of the pros and cons of each:
Granite: Granite is all the rage these days and for a few good reasons.
advantage: It is naturally beautiful, each piece is unique, it is quite abundant, very durable, easy to clean with a damp cloth, hard to break, heat resistant, and comes in a wide variety of colors. It is also not very difficult to maintain. Sealing it every few years is usually all that is needed. Some granite suppliers now have a 15-year or lifetime sealer that can be applied, but this product is more expensive.
cons: It can be expensive, it can stain, especially lighter colors, and for some people, sealing every few years requires more maintenance than they want. When you buy it, you have to choose your exact slab because you can’t trust that every slab will look the same as your sample.
Engineering quartz: (also commonly known as Silestone, Caesarstone, Zodiac, Hanstone, Cambria, and many others)
advantage: Engineered stone is made up of 93% quartz particles and the remaining 7% is made up of resin and pigments. It is available in a wide range of colors and has a scratch-resistant, non-porous surface. It is easy to maintain, without the repeated sealing that natural stone requires. It also provides a consistent look, as each slab is the same as the next. Since it is solid with no natural cracks or crevices, it is good for food preparation and cleans easily with mild soap and water.
cons: Expensive, not heat resistant.
Soapstone: Soapstone is a metamorphic rock also known as soapstone. It is made up of three different elements, talc, magnesium silicate and chlorite, so it will be harder or softer depending on the percentage of each of these parts in the piece of soapstone. The more talc involved, the softer the stone will be. It is inert and resistant to acids or alkalis, which is why it is often used for laboratory worktops. It has a soft touch like soap, hence its name. Their color varies from black to dark gray to green and even a bluish color. Being a natural product, it may present variations in color and veining in the slab.
advantage: It is inert and will not be damaged by harsh chemicals, will not stain, adds a casual look to a room, is highly heat resistant, and is commonly used for fireplaces, fire pits, pizza stones, etc.
Cons: Prone to scratches and would need to be repaired by sanding with sandpaper to remove scratches if they bother you. Most people apply mineral oil to soapstone to darken the finish, which means regular maintenance. It’s also a bit pricey, in the range of a medium to high grade granite.
Concrete: Concrete is used these days for many finished products, including designer sinks and countertops. Some homeowners may want to try a DIY concrete countertop, but you may want to rethink that unless you have the skills of a professional to make the forms, reinforce, stain, and seal the concrete. Professionally made concrete decks usually have resins and sometimes aggregates added.
advantage: Concrete can be finished in almost endless colors and edge details, designs can be embedded into the concrete to create a unique look or drainage board, it is highly heat resistant, will usually be seamless and seamless. grout lines, can be formed into any shape, and can be formed with an integral sink.
cons: Will need to be sealed periodically, while sealing will give you some stain resistance; it can still stain, the concrete can crack or break. Reinforcement can minimize this, but it can still happen, and the labor required to fabricate the top can make it as expensive as granite.
solid surface: (Common brands include Corian, Hi-Macs, Avonite, Wilson Art, Formica, and many others.) Solid surface countertops are man-made and allow for consistency of color and pattern that you don’t get with natural surfaces.
advantage: You are guaranteed a very consistent pattern and color – your countertop will look like the sample you chose – easy to clean – generally durable – integral sinks can be formed with the top – drainage boards can be included in the fabrication – they are not as expensive as many stone products, virtually maintenance free, seams are generally hidden, comes in a wide variety of colors and aggregates.
cons: May be scratched, not heat resistant, may stain, may not be considered as luxurious as other products.
Stainless steel: A material long used for commercial kitchens, it is now becoming more popular for contemporary home kitchens.
advantage: As its name implies, it doesn’t stain, it’s easy to keep clean, it’s durable, it’s custom made so it doesn’t have to be seams, it’s heat resistant and it gives a very professional and contemporary look.
Cons: can be scratched, dented, cannot be cut, expensive, some people may view it as cold or sterile.
Wood/butcher block:
advantage: Provides a warm, homey feel, comes in a variety of wood colors, is easy to clean, can be restored, and can be less expensive than other types of countertops.
Cons: Must be routinely sealed with mineral oil or beeswax, can cut, scratch, burn or stain, can be damaged by exposure to water over time.
Ceramic or porcelain tile:
advantage– Tile is durable and easy to clean, relatively inexpensive and can be installed by professionals or a few resourceful homeowners, is heat resistant, and comes in a wide variety of colors and textures and almost limitless design possibilities.
cons: Tiles can crack or chip, grout joints can get dirty or stained, grout joints create an uneven counter surface.
Laminate: Laminate was the countertop standard for a long time, probably because it’s relatively inexpensive, generally easy to clean, and durable with proper use. It has fallen out of favor with most homeowners who now want a more luxurious look. Popular brands include Wilson Art, Nevamar, and Formica. Laminate manufacturers have done an excellent job of creating laminate surfaces that look like solid surface or granite. So for the more limited budget, a good laminate can mimic a high-end look.
advantage: Inexpensive, easy to clean, durable, comes in a wide variety of colors, can mimic high-end products, essentially no maintenance.
cons: May scratch or chip, may stain, with excessive exposure to moisture; it can detach from its substrate, it is not heat tolerant like stone products and seams are often visible.