Designing or redoing a kitchen isn’t something you can do very often, so choosing the right material for your kitchen counters is an important decision. Here’s our quick reference guide for our top choices for kitchen countertop materials.
Granite Countertops:
Granite provides a truly one of a kind kitchen counter. It stands up well to splashes, and other wear and tear. It does require occasional sealing to adequately discourage staining; however its durability can definitely outweigh any sealing inconvenience and the color options are limitless! We recommend that you protect granite countertops from heat. North American Stone is proud to offer one of the largest in-stock varieties of granite in the Rochester, NY area.
Marble Countertops:
Marble countertops are a beautiful and timeless option for your kitchen countertops. The major positive of marble is that it keeps a relatively cool temperature, which makes it great for baking, rolling out dough. The downside of marble is that is can scratch easily and may stain from acidic foods. However, choosing a polished marble surface may help to eliminate staining from occurring.
Quartz Countertops:
Quartz provides the look of natural stone and the easy care of solid surface countertops. It won't provide the one-of-a-kind look like granite does, however, it is quite durable and depending on the exact style, can look very similarly to granite. Quartz countertops are available in a wide range of colors and patterns and North American Stone has an exceptional inventory on hand. Quartz counters provide a glossy sheen and is non-porous, and stain and crack resistant It also doesn’t require sealing and it’s easy to clean. The main downfall of quartz is that it isn’t heat resistant, so you’ll need to make sure to use a trivet or pot holder when placing anything hot on a quartz counter.
Soapstone Countertops:
Soapstone is a natural stone that is quarried. It’s a “softer” stone material, however it typically has a high percentage of quartz in it, which makes it harder and more durable than other “soft” stone materials. Soapstone provides a smooth finish that is fantastic for baking, especially when rolling out doughs. The best part about soapstone is that if scratches do happen, many scratches can be sanded or oiled away. Soapstone counters do require maintenance: regular oiling and buffing is necessary. The color will darken with age and it may get dents/scratches more easily than other surfaces. It’s also not as heat resistant as other counter surfaces, such as granite, however, if taken care of properly, soapstone can be a great option for many homes.
Solid Surfacing:
Solid surfacing is a man-made material used for kitchen countertops that is non-porous, making it essentially maintenance free. It doesn’t require sealing or special cleaning and it is stain, mildew and germ resistant. Solid surfacing provides a strong material that can be installed without seams. You can also integrate a seamless sink of the same material. It can be susceptible to burns or scratches, but often those are able to be sanded or buffed out. Because it is a manufactured product, there are extensive color and pattern options.
Tile Countertops:
You might be thinking that tile countertops are a thing of the past, but tile has come a long way! There are so many more tile options available now than in the past and you can really create a beautiful kitchen space using tile. Or course, as with any other kitchen countertop material, tile has its pros and cons. What’s especially cool about tile countertops is that they can be customized to fit essentially every need and you have the option of coordinating your countertops to your backsplash. You can use larger tile for the counters with coordinating smaller tile for your backsplash, or do larger tile counters with smaller tile borders. You can also coordinate your tile countertops with your tile flooring. The combinations are limitless. Tile is also heat and stain resistant and damaged tiles can be replaced if need be. The downside of tile is that it will need to have grouting, which will need to be cleaned regularly to reduce staining.
Which Countertop Option Should I Choose for My Kitchen?
It’s important to take a look at the functionality that you need from your kitchen as well as what you prefer aesthetically. Finding an expert in kitchen countertops will be crucial to making the best choices when it comes to your kitchen design or remodel.
