What Is the Best Kitchen Countertop Material for Your Home?
The question „what is the best kitchen countertop material?" has many answers, but not all of them apply to home needs. In fact, quite a few would be appropriate for restaurants, canteens and places where design or style is of little or no importance.
That is why we have removed stainless steel, soapstone, marble and concrete from our list, narrowing your choice to six materials listed according to their popularity, price and resistance.
Wood (especially oak and maple) - It is probably the oldest and most common material used for countertops, it is available in various colors and finishes and offers a sense of familiarity and warmth to every kitchen. Countertops offer a classy and warm look and are available in a wide variety of finishes and colors. Hardwoods such as oak and maple are the most often used materials for countertops. The good thing about wood is that it is easily cleaned, sanded or resealed. Unfortunately, it does not handle water and stains very well.
Laminates – Made of synthetic fibers with plastic coating, they provide a smooth, resistant and easy to clean surface. Available in various colors and for quite affordable prices, they withstand water and high temperatures, but not chips and scratches. They do not require special maintenance and they clean up really well and easily.
Ceramic tile – Durable, inexpensive and very easy to clean, it makes a great choice for resourceful homeowners who can install it themselves. It comes in a variety of colors and models and it withstands water and high temperatures. Unless installed by a professional and with narrow grout lines, it may form an uneven surface that is easy to chip and crack, and the grout lines will be subject to stains.
Engineered stone – It contains 93% quartz particles and offers a smooth surface, resistant to scratches, water, stains, acid and high temperatures. Moreover, the choice of colors is quite varied, so you will have no problem finding something to perfectly fit your kitchen. However, keep in mind that this type of material is usually quite expensive.
Granite – One of the most elegant choices, it is also gaining more and more popularity, while the price has dropped considerably in the past few years. It withstands heat, stains and scratches, requires little maintenance and is available in about 3000 colors. Although it still is quite pricey, its durability makes it a choice to consider, promising to last a lifetime.
Solid-surfacing materials – Usually made of polyester, acrylic or a combination between the two, they are resistant to water, scratches and stains, but vulnerable to high temperatures. They can be custom made in a variety of colors and designs, but the price is quite high.
Unfortunately, we cannot indicate just one of these materials, because each has its ups and downs, or at least certain budget limitations. Besides, if they are to be used for your kitchen countertop, it is only fair that you have the final saying on them.
We therefore advise you to establish exactly how much you can afford to pay for your countertop, take a look at each of these choices, compare them taking into account the details of your kitchen and your preferences, and follow your instincts.
The question „what is the best kitchen countertop material for home needs?" can therefore find various answers from one homeowner to another; what matters is for them to be satisfied with the decision they make and enjoy the new countertop for as long as possible.
That is why we have removed stainless steel, soapstone, marble and concrete from our list, narrowing your choice to six materials listed according to their popularity, price and resistance.
Wood (especially oak and maple) - It is probably the oldest and most common material used for countertops, it is available in various colors and finishes and offers a sense of familiarity and warmth to every kitchen. Countertops offer a classy and warm look and are available in a wide variety of finishes and colors. Hardwoods such as oak and maple are the most often used materials for countertops. The good thing about wood is that it is easily cleaned, sanded or resealed. Unfortunately, it does not handle water and stains very well.
Laminates – Made of synthetic fibers with plastic coating, they provide a smooth, resistant and easy to clean surface. Available in various colors and for quite affordable prices, they withstand water and high temperatures, but not chips and scratches. They do not require special maintenance and they clean up really well and easily.
Ceramic tile – Durable, inexpensive and very easy to clean, it makes a great choice for resourceful homeowners who can install it themselves. It comes in a variety of colors and models and it withstands water and high temperatures. Unless installed by a professional and with narrow grout lines, it may form an uneven surface that is easy to chip and crack, and the grout lines will be subject to stains.
Engineered stone – It contains 93% quartz particles and offers a smooth surface, resistant to scratches, water, stains, acid and high temperatures. Moreover, the choice of colors is quite varied, so you will have no problem finding something to perfectly fit your kitchen. However, keep in mind that this type of material is usually quite expensive.
Granite – One of the most elegant choices, it is also gaining more and more popularity, while the price has dropped considerably in the past few years. It withstands heat, stains and scratches, requires little maintenance and is available in about 3000 colors. Although it still is quite pricey, its durability makes it a choice to consider, promising to last a lifetime.
Solid-surfacing materials – Usually made of polyester, acrylic or a combination between the two, they are resistant to water, scratches and stains, but vulnerable to high temperatures. They can be custom made in a variety of colors and designs, but the price is quite high.
Unfortunately, we cannot indicate just one of these materials, because each has its ups and downs, or at least certain budget limitations. Besides, if they are to be used for your kitchen countertop, it is only fair that you have the final saying on them.
We therefore advise you to establish exactly how much you can afford to pay for your countertop, take a look at each of these choices, compare them taking into account the details of your kitchen and your preferences, and follow your instincts.
The question „what is the best kitchen countertop material for home needs?" can therefore find various answers from one homeowner to another; what matters is for them to be satisfied with the decision they make and enjoy the new countertop for as long as possible.