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    Countertop Materials Pros and Cons: How to Choose the Best Material for Your Kitchen

    When working through selections for a new kitchen remodel, you eventually find yourself asking, “What is the best countertop material to use in the kitchen?” While there are many materials to choose from, all countertop options have pluses and minuses. Therefore, it's important to evaluate selections based on your taste, budget, durability, and required maintenance of the countertop materials. Here are a few common materials for kitchen countertops and the pros and cons of each.

    Granite Countertop

    granite-countertops-the-sprucePhoto credit

    Pros:

    Cons:

    Every slab of granite is unique. The mining process
    brings out individual large slabs, so no two pieces are exactly alike. There are hundreds of color variations
    and innumerable veining patterns in granite slabs.
    People often find imperfections and distinct unique features to be the most beautiful things about this
    natural stone.

    Because granite is a natural material, it holds up well
    in outdoor spaces and areas with high sun exposure.
    When properly installed and sealed, granite is mostly stain-resistant.

    While granite is a tough stone, it is possible to crack or chip when something heavy is dropped on it. This presents a challenge as replacing big slabs is expensive and repairing damaged areas leaves you with visible seams.

    In addition, while granite is stain-resistant when properly sealed, it is a highly absorbent material when not adequately maintained. You should plan to reseal your granite countertops every 3 to 5 years, depending on the type of sealant used.

    Quartz Countertop

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    Photo credit

    Pros: 

    Cons: 

    Quartz is a beautiful mineral that comes in various colors and patterns. With options in both natural quartz and manufactured quartz, there is a lot of variety to choose from.

    While manufactured quartz countertops are “human-made,” created from crushed quartz bound with resin,
    the final product looks like it’s straight from nature.
    Being a hard stone, it is an excellent selection for high-traffic areas like the kitchen.

    One of the most significant benefits of quartz is that it requires minimal maintenance. When properly taken
    care of, this material should last for many generations.

    One of the main cons of natural quartz, in particular, is that it is a highly porous stone, meaning it will absorb all liquid if it is not properly maintained and sealed.

    Highly acidic liquids like wine and juices must be cleaned up immediately, or you risk permanently damaging the stone. Re-sealing should take place every one or two years.

    Manufactured quartz, however, is harder to stain and easier to clean. On the flip side, it does not tolerate significant direct heat.

    Marble Countertop

    marble-kitchen-countertops-the-spruce

    Photo credit

    Pros: 

    Cons: 

    Marble is another beautiful natural stone option
    with no two pieces looking alike.

    A unique feature
    of this natural stone is that it lends character to your space as it is prone to patina over time.

    While marble is a stunning option, it must be treated
    with care to be kept in good shape.

    Marble is only a three on the hardness scale, meaning it is more porous and soft compared to quartz and granite. Soft stones are more likely to easily scratch and chip.

    Additionally, being made of natural carbonate, marble can be etched with acidic foods like vinegar and lemon juice and easily scratched with abrasive cleaning products and sponges. Marble is also high maintenance because it's recommended to re-seal your marble countertops every three months to one year. Different sealant products have different durations on how often they need to be reapplied.

    Stainless Steel Countertop

    Everything You Need To Know About Stainless Steel Kitchen Countertops -  Decoholic

    Photo credit

    Pros: 

    Cons: 

    If your countertop material priority is sanitization, stainless steel may be the right choice for you. It’s not sensitive to acids, chemicals, or heat, making it very
    easy to clean.

    Because stainless steel countertops usually come in one piece, installation is relatively easy, and there aren’t any joints to harbor germs.

    Stainless steel is a complementary material to a more modern/industrial aesthetic and comes in various
    surface finishes (mirror, matte, satin, antiqued, etc.).

    Stainless steel is one of the most low-maintenance materials you can select as it requires no re-sealing.

    While stainless steel doesn’t require re-sealing, it is easily scratched. Abrasive materials as small as salt can scratch the surface. For minor scratches, a scouring pad may be able to buff them out, but deeper scratches may require professional repair.

    If you’ve ever had a stainless steel appliance, you know how hard it is to keep them looking clean and streak (or fingerprint) free. While water won’t absorb if left standing, it will leave water stains.

    Similarly, acidic foods and cleaners are safe to use but don’t leave them sitting too long, or they may stain.

    Butcher Block Countertop

    butcherblock-countertop-cdnPhoto credit

    Pros: 

    Pros: 

    Butcher block countertop provides a beautiful, warm
    look. There are a variety of wood species options to choose from, offering some customization, but the
    most common selections are maple and oak due to
    their hardness.

    Another benefit of the butcher block is that it is
    relatively affordable to maintain. If you know how to
    take proper care, butcher block can last a long time.
    If you begin seeing more wear than you care for, you
    can simply sand it down and re-seal the wood for a counter that looks like new.

    Butcher block countertops can easily harbor bacteria. Think of how you don’t put raw chicken on a wood cutting board, then imagine all of your countertops being like that. Wood is highly susceptible to scratches and knicks from knives, and it’s not heat resistant - hot pans will scorch your countertop!

    Depending on the wood market at any given time, butcher block may be an expensive material to source and install. For maintenance, butcherblock must be oiled and re-sealed frequently to fight off cracking from moisture, and the sealing process can be toxic.

    Concrete Countertop

    concrete-countertop-cementelegance.comPhoto credit

    Pros: 

    Cons: 

    Concrete may be the most customizable countertop material option of all. You have unique options for coloring, texturizing, and staining that you don’t find
    with other materials.

    Due to its heavy nature, concrete is usually formed
    and poured directly in your kitchen, which means
    less chance of breaking during shipping and
    handling.
    On-site pouring also makes it easier to adapt to
    unique shapes in your kitchen, like curves rather
    than sharp angles.

    With skilled concrete pouring, you can also integrate custom features like built-in drainboards and trivets.

    While concrete is extremely durable, it needs to be re-sealed regularly, and the type of sealant used dictates how often that is. An acrylic sealant will need to be done every one to three years, whereas epoxy sealant will typically last ten years before it must be reapplied to avoid staining and cracking. The type of sealant you use also dictates the level of heat and scratch resistance.

    With regard to affordability, while materials are cheap, labor can be more expensive due to its handcrafted, custom nature. If re-sale is in your future, it may also be worth considering that concrete countertops may seem too industrial for future home buyers and be detracting from sellability.

    Balancing Aesthetic, Care, and Cost

    There is no “right answer” to the best material for your kitchen counters. The best countertop material largely depends on your lifestyle, budget, and aesthetics. Before choosing, weigh both the upfront and long-term costs to maintain each material because, as you can see, all of them require some kind of upkeep.

    If you’re ready to remodel your kitchen and are looking for more guidance on how to approach your project, we have just the resource you need. Download our eBook, “The Kitchen Renovation Handbook: 10 Steps to Design the Kitchen of your Dreams.”

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    Pete Baughman

    About Pete Baughman

    Home renovation and custom home building have been a part of my life since birth. My great-grandfather, grandfather, and father were all Carpenters. It was only natural for me to be drawn to it as well. I worked as a Carpenter and Project lead helping him create and produce many extraordinary projects. My experiences have varied from Carpenter, Lead Carpenter, Project Manager, Production Manager, Project Developer, and Sales Manager. I started with Better Builders in 2011 and, in 2019, became an owner.