Choosing The Right Countertop For Your Kitchen, And Your Lifestyle

Kitchen countertops are usually the first thing that comes to mind when homeowners consider upgrading a room in their home, or when a buyer is looking at homes.  The thing is many homeowners really do not realize how many options there are when upgrading countertops.  So here it is, my list of countertop choices, and the pros and cons of each one.  

Concrete Countertops

One of my favorite features with concrete countertops is that they are highly customizable.  You can decide to go with any texture and stain color.  Concrete can easily blend  with a variety of other materials, such as stone, marble,  or tile to design your own look. An additional benefit is concrete is energy efficient. As the homes temperature rises, your new concrete countertops will capture the heat and then release as the home cools down.

Glass Countertops

Glass countertops offer a  sleek, well defined appearance.  honAdditional benefits with using glass include the flexibility of design.  Glass can be cut into any shape, and the color and texture options are endless. While glass can be one of the more expensive options its popularity continues to grow.  It’s non-porous and stain resistant surface makes glass countertops very easy to keep clean and maintain.  If you do decide to go with glass, you may want to consider looking for tempered glass that is at least one in thick. 

Honed Granite Countertops

If you like the look of granite, but not the glossy appearance that comes with the polished granite countertops, then honed granite gives may provide the soft, matte finish you are looking for.  Honed granite is just as scratch resistant, and difficult to crack or get heat damaged as polished granite.  

Laminate Countertops

Laminate countertops can be a great option if you are on a budget.  New designs can mimic the look of more expensive stone, quartz or wood.  Or if you like a retro look, many of the looks from the mid 1900’s are still available. 

Marble Countertops

If you ask most designers today what material to use for a high end look, they will tell you that marble is the way to go.  Carrara and Calcutta have a wonderful veined appearance that is extremely popular, while helping to make stains more difficult to notice.  This is an important feature because marble is more porous than granite, and more susceptible to staining.  It is advisable to seal marble countertops regularly, and to avoid using acidic materials on them that could damage the surface.  Despite its high end reputation, marble can often be purchased at a price comparable to granite, so shop around to find the best deal.

Polished Granite Countertops

Marble may be the high end choice of designers, but granite is definitely the favorite of homeowners looking to upgrade prior to listing a house for sale.  Granite countertops provide a high-end look that buyers are after, while providing a durable surface that will last for many years.  Since granite is a natural stone it is natural for there to be pattern variations.  While this is appealing to many homeowners it can make matching sections difficult. Cost of granite and quartz are typically comparable, but keep in mind that natural granite can be more work than manufactured quartz to maintain it’s appearance.  Don’t allow stains to set into the stone, especially if you spill oils, wine, acidic liquids or foods or soda, and it is best to seal granite about once a year.

Quartz Countertops

If you are all about maintenance free living, look no further than engineered quartz.  It is resistant to staining, acids, scratching, and heat.  Their non-porous surface eliminates the need for sealing that is required with natural stone surfaces.  Quarts is available in a wide host of colors and patterns making it rank close to granite in popularity.

Recycled Countertops

If you like to go with building materials that are more eco-friendly you should consider recycled countertops.  They come various sustainable materials, such as concrete, paper, glass, plastic and composites. Normally a mix of pre- and post-consumer products and materials, recycled countertops come in a vast array of textures and colors.

Soapstone Countertops

Soapstone is one of my personal favorites.  It has a great natural stone look, while avoiding the maintenance of having to seal each year.  Soapstone is non-porous, making it highly resistant to staining and bacteria.  Its colors range from light to dark gray tones, and is accented by subtle veining.  To maintain soapstone, all you should have to do is to apply mineral oil to enhance the stones color and sheen, while hiding surface scratches.

Stainless Steel Countertops

Stainless steel will give a kitchen a more modern, industrial look. The metal surface easily goes with any color and is one of the simplest countertops to keep clean. Just wipe stains off using a cloth with mild soap. Stainless steel is extremely resistant to bacterial buildup, making it the great choice for homeowners who are concerned with maintaining a hygienically clean kitchen surface area.

Tile Countertops

Tile countertops are both inexpensive and easy to maintain. The availability of virtually thousands of styles and colors will allow you to mix and match to come up with your own unique look.  If you are handy at all, installing tile countertops yourself can make this a great cost effective alternative to more expensive options.

Travertine Countertops

Travertine countertops can bring a classic, traditional look to any kitchen.  However, they are very high maintenance.  It is important to fill and seal any pitting it gets on it’s surface.  Pitting can trap both food and bacteria as well as absorbing liquid spills.  Despite being high maintenance, travertine remains one of the more aesthetically pleasing options for countertop.

Wood Countertops

Butcher-block wood countertops are perfect for that rustic, cottage kitchen look.  Wood is both decorative and functional, and if properly sealed and maintained is ideal for food prep, yes even for chopping meat.  Surprisingly, wood is highly resistant to heat, so you don't have to worry about putting hot pots and pans on the surface.  You may want to consider mixing wood countertops with other surfaces like granite or engineered stone to create your a variety of surfaces.

When deciding what surface to go with, try to consider how the style and appearance will fit with the design of the home, whether it is high or low maintenance, and your own lifestyle.  Does your family cook every night, or do you eat out a lot.  If you cook regularly then stainless steel or soapstone may be a better option than travertine.  If appearance is the most important feature, than perhaps marble or granite.  If you are a handyman, tile may be the way to go.  Take time to consider your options, and hopefully this information will help you to make a great decision when upgrading your kitchen.