Picking the right material for your kitchen countertop is a very important decision. Bear in mind that whatever you choose, the countertop will be sitting in front of your eyes for years together. The countertop gives that extra edge to the looks and the layout of your kitchen. It is one surface that is most worked on in all of the kitchen areas and it endures a good amount of cutting, chopping, spills, stains, and burns. So, an ideal countertop should be strong, aesthetically appealing, and should flaunt good textures and colors.
Let us list down some of the most popular countertop materials for any kitchen in terms of layout, cost, and maintenance required.
Granite
Granite is one of the most widely used materials for kitchen countertops. This is a type of stone that is available in a variety of colors and textures. It adds a definitive elegance to your kitchen. The prices of granite are on the higher side and vary depending on color, thickness, and pattern. It is a heat resistant and scratch proof material. Granite can bear an extreme amount of wear and tear. It adds a lot of value to your kitchen as it can last for a lifetime.
Quartz
Quartz is also known as engineered stone. This is also an expensive material as it is manufactured from the granules of crushed quartz, that is blended with a binder and a coloring pigment. This material consists of up to 93% quartz particles. Quartz looks natural and has a nonporous surface. It is scratch proof and comes in a large range of colors. Maintenance of the countertops made with quartz is easy.
Solid Surface
A solid surface is an affordable artificial material that consists of acrylic particles and resins that are pressed into solid sheets. The most popular solid surface brand is Corian, although LG and Samsung also manufacture countertops made with this material.
Solid surface is a malleable material, so it can be easily blended with sinks for a unified appearance. It has a very smooth and uninterrupted look. It is not as strong as the natural materials but a lot of damage to the surface due to wear and tear can be sanded to smoothness.
Concrete
Concrete can be used in the kitchen where the countertop to be laid requires an unusual shape as concrete countertops are cast in the kitchen directly. Since it is laid on-site, it can be customized as per the requirement in terms of shape, structure, finish, and texture. It is a low priced option. It is heat resistant and can be color tinted.
Marble
Like Granite, Marble is a natural stone. Marble is a very popular type of stone yet less used for kitchen countertops because of its high cost. For that elegant and luxurious look, marble is as good as, if not better than the Granite. Using it on the kitchen island adds grace to the entire kitchen.
In terms of maintenance Marble may need resealing periodically. It demands constant servicing as it stains easily. This stone is waterproof, heat-resistant, and has a seamless appearance.
