It’s often a big challenge to choose the right kitchen countertop. Since the countertop is usually the most expensive part of a kitchen remodel, you need to select the best and right one for the space before you go ahead and splurge on anything that catches your fancy.
Not sure how to find a countertop that’s the best fit for your kitchen? When choosing a surface for your kitchen countertop, you shouldn’t be guided just by affordability, visual appeal, and popularity. Since countertops set the tone for your kitchen, your chosen material should go well with how you want to use the kitchen and even reflect your personal style.
For instance, granite could be the choice for many but those on a budget may find it expensive. However, homeowners on a limited budget could achieve the look of granite for less, by choosing engineered stone surfaces, such as quartz. Thus, the key is to know your needs and set a budget before you go shopping for the best kitchen countertop.
Popular Countertop Materials To Take Your Pick From
Given below is a rundown of popular workspace surfaces and the way they stand up in the kitchen to help you decide. It’s important to remember here that since countertops tend to dictate the décor of your kitchen, they are sometimes selected before the cabinetry.
Marble
Marble countertops exude elegance and are the right fit for a classic kitchen design. You can get marble countertops in various textures and colours, including magnificent creamy white, slate gray, beige, and black.
Marble comes in a variety of beautiful colours and textures. If your kitchen has white cabinets and a white backsplash, you could invest in a grey-toned marble countertop to create a cohesive and seamless look throughout the space.
Marble is a popular choice for kitchen countertops due to its elegance, classic, high-end look, and durability. But it’s expensive, very heavy, and not immune to stains, chips, and scratches. It’s also high-maintenance and needs to be sealed annually.
To safeguard your marble countertop, you should clean it with a mild liquid detergent and water, and steer clear of harsh cleaning chemicals. It will also be wise to use trivets for hot pans and pots and coasters for glasses and cups to avoid the marble being damaged by them in case they are accidentally placed directly on the surface.
Granite
You can get granite countertops in diverse colours, patterns, and thicknesses. Since the slab’s thickness can make the cost go up, you should decide what would suit your needs and budget the best. Granite is a popular choice in countertop materials as it brings a dramatic effect to the space.
Apart from its timeless appeal, this natural material is also low-maintenance and has a hard surface that’s scratch-, chip-, and heat-resistant. However, granite is expensive and since it’s porous, you must seal it occasionally to maintain its surface. It should be sealed carefully as doing the job wrong could allow permanent stains on the surface.
Though granite isn’t as porous as marble and is less susceptible to soaking up spills and oils, you should wipe up spills quickly to avoid staining. Cleaning the surface is best done with mild dish soap, along with warm water and a soft microfiber cloth. You should avoid using acidic cleaners, harsh chemicals, and abrasive scrubbing tools.
Quartz
If you are looking for an affordable alternative to granite, quartz kitchen countertops could be just what you need. Apart from being one of the hardest materials in the world, quartz is more long-lasting and durable than granite and comes in almost limitless colours, styles, and patterns. Since it’s non-porous, quartz is also highly resistant to mould and bacterial contamination.
Additionally, quartz surfaces are heat- and stain-resistant, which make them easy to maintain. All these factors make quartz a feasible choice for kitchen countertops. However, the colour and pattern consistency of your quartz countertops can sometimes look artificial. Their seams too can be more visible.
To clean your quartz kitchen countertop quickly, you can wipe it using a mild soapy mixture in circular motions. Ensure to follow it up with a wipe down with warm water and a dry cloth to remove any residue that’s left behind.
Porcelain
Since porcelain is non-porous, it resists stains and can be cleaned easily. Unlike natural stones like granite and marble countertops, it won’t discolour or etch either when exposed to acidic liquids and foods like lemon juice, vinegar, or tomatoes. When it comes to finishes, you can select a smooth matte, glossy and polished, or honed finish for your porcelain kitchen countertop.
Since porcelain is extremely heat-resistant, you can safely use it near your cooktops. However, since porcelain countertops are susceptible to cracks and chips, it’s best to avoid them if you have a busy household with young children.
You will virtually need no extra work and no special cleaning products to care for your porcelain kitchen countertop. It never needs sealing and can be cleaned with paper towels and some clear water most of the time. You can use a neutral cleaner if the surface has spills that demand a bit more attention.
Wood
Whatever be your kitchen’s style, a wood countertop can give it a finished look and exude unmatched warmth and visual appeal. Diverse lumber varieties are employed to make them, including walnut, oak, cherry, and maple. If you want your countertop to have a unique colour, you could even stain it with food-safe yellow, green, red, or blue colours.
While an unfinished, natural wood countertop is the ideal choice for a rustic kitchen area, finished wood (a teak countertop, for instance) will go beautifully with a classic kitchen. Whether you need your countertop to be decorative, functional, or a balanced blend of both, you will find a lot of variety among wood countertops.
Functional varieties, such as a butcher block, can be just what you need to facilitate food preparation, while decorative countertops are ideal if you seek a luxurious finish. If you need a surface that’s durable and capable of withstanding moisture well, teak wood will be a wise choice. Reclaimed wood will work well if you want to enhance your country-inspired kitchen design.
After you seal it, your wood countertop will become sanitary for chopping meat, and you can position your hot pans and pots without a worry on the surface because wood is heat-resistant. However, wood countertop must be sealed regularly to prevent staining and may even need refinishing to fight wear and tear over time. Another disadvantage is that it tends to be more easily damaged than tile or stone.
To clean your wood countertop, you should use a nonabrasive cleaner or a homemade blend of a splash of distilled white vinegar and warm water. Make sure to use a spatula to gently scrape off any food residue from the surface before cleaning it. Also, remember to wipe the counter after cleaning so it’s completely dry.
Apart from the above-mentioned popular materials, you can also get kitchen countertops made of concrete, soapstone, travertine, tile, stainless steel, glass, and limestone. If you are looking for an eco-friendly choice, you may even consider recycled countertops available in different colours and textures, and made of sustainable materials, such as paper, concrete, glass, composite, and plastic.
It pays to get clarity regarding your kitchen’s needs, aesthetics, and budget to ensure you buy the best-fit kitchen countertop that makes cooking a joyous activity.
