Kitchen Countertop Materials 101

Remodeling a kitchen is all about attention to detail. The countertops, for example, must be useful to the house’s inhabitants. One person may covet stainless steel for the sleek look and ease of use, whereas the traditionalist will want granite or marble to make a grand statement. Or perhaps the country kitchen chef has their heart set on a rustic butcher block. Knowing the purpose a kitchen will serve is important to the deciding on the countertop materials.

Granite

This top of the line product has a high price tag to match it’s high quality. The natural permanent look comes with granite’s lifetime value. Many home buyers are willing to pay extra for this quality product. However, while granite is heat, scratch, ding, and damage resistant as well as beautiful, there are also some drawbacks to this material.

Stains, for example, are easily absorbed into this natural stone, so resealing must be done every year. Proper installation is also crucial, or cracking could appear. Also, cutting directly on the service will dull any knife. It’s important that you carefully weigh the advantages, the disadvantages, and the price before purchasing granite countertops.

Marble

This most expensive natural stone is as beautiful as it is high maintenance. Marble is excellent for accents like a backing square inset or island countertop, but because of its high price and intensive upkeep, it is usually not recommended for all countertops.

Engineered Stone

The composition of engineered stone is similar to granite, and in many cases, so is the price. However, this product is more durable than granite because the finish does not wear off, and the surface is not porous. Love the look of granite but hate the idea of routine maintenance? Then choose engineered stone for quality and style.

Solid Surfacing

Solid surfacing has a luxurious look as well as great durability. This countertop material is a more cost effective choice than engineered stone. A less expensive substrate, like wood, comprises the bulk of the countertop, while the surface is a mixture of acrylics and other particles. Solid surfacing is often used for integrated sinks to create seamless profiles. Stain resistance, easy scratch removal, and a wide range of color options make solid surfacing a wonderful and affordable choice. However, this material is not heat resistant, so hot pads and racks are important.

Concrete

The up-and-coming trend of concrete for countertops offers homeowners a seamless surface at an affordable price. Concrete has several pigment and finishing options to decrease the industrial look, and the cost is much lower than that of granite. As a downside, concrete requires a decent amount of maintenance year round. Water can discolor this material, as well as acids like lemon juice. Because of this, concrete must be resealed four times per year and waxed every two to three months.

Wood/Butcher Block

The rustic look of hardwood countertops is beautiful and warm. Easy clean up and durable cutting surfaces are a few advantages to the wooden countertop, and like hardwood floors, wooden countertops can be resealed and sanded many times. Be careful with water stains and scratches, though, and be aware that without proper treatment, it is easy for dangerous and destabilizing mold to grow in the countertop.

Stainless Steel

Stainless Steel is industrial, modern, and easy to clean. These qualities, combined with its heat resistance, are part of why it has become so popular. The drawbacks to stainless steel are its propensity to denting the fact that cooking on stainless steel countertops can sometimes be noisy. What’s more, although stainless steel is generally very affordable, custom orders can sometimes become expensive.

Overall, the choice of countertop material is a personal one. It is important to choose a countertop material that enables you to get the most use out of your kitchen as possible, but it’s equally important to factor qualities like durability, price, and appearance into your final decision. When remodeling your kitchen, it is crucial to select the right contractor. If you are located in the Maryland, Virginia, or Washington, DC area, look to Hartman Construction for help with your kitchen countertop installation. Hartman, one of the area’s most reputable and well-respected contractors, is always available for consultations and construction services for both residential and commercial projects. For more information, visit Hartman’s website today, or check out these selections from their blog: