These days new contemporary designs are consistently emerging, bringing various, distinct, and fresh new styles. With the help of technology and human creativity, kitchen countertops have become more than just a kitchen item used solely for their functionality; they have become a central piece in the kitchen area. Once the countertops have been chosen, only then the rest of the kitchen space can be remodeled. Countertops set the tone for each room they are being used for and the proper selection of kitchen countertops is the most important for a great design.

How to choose the right countertop for your kitchen?

Choosing the right kitchen countertop for your kitchen remodeling project presents an important task. Multiple factors must be considered before purchasing. Kitchen countertops are an investment you want to pay off in the years ahead. Therefore, you need to consider your lifestyle first and see what kind of countertop fits best. Is the visual aspect more important or its functionality? Or perhaps both equally? Every type of countertop has its pros and cons in terms of visual and functional aspects. Let’s take a look at the most important types of countertops, and help you pick out the most suitable one today!

Types of countertops

There are lots of kitchen countertops to select from granite, marble, quartz, quartzite, solid surface, ultra-compact, cultured marble, and so on. Picking a countertop for your home might be hard. What kind of appearance do you favor? Do you prioritize style over upkeep? Or would you rather purchase a sturdy rock working surface over one that is softer and less durable? These are all important points to think about, yet we know it can be frustrating considering all of them. We have constructed a list of specially handpicked countertop types which we have to offer to you. This list will provide you with all the necessary information you need so you can make the right choice for your kitchen remodeling project.

Marble Countertops

With marble countertops, you can easily make a style statement! Marble has always been considered as one of the most beautiful natural stones, which enhance the beauty of each home. 

Kitchen Appearance 

Marble is sophisticated, shiny, and has a timeless component making it always a perfect choice. Marble is a premium natural stone because no two marble countertops are exactly alike. What makes marble as a material so great, is that it maintains a normally low temperature, making it a perfect choice for people that love baking. Marble is a terrific surface area to roll out and form a dough. It is considered a near-perfect work surface for tasks like cooking or making fresh pasta. When it comes to shading and coloring, marble countertops come in white, shades of gray, brownish, and taupe. 

Kitchen Maintenance

However, marble has its cons. It is softer and far more porous than other natural stones, making it a lot more prone to problems such as damage, discoloration, and scraping. Take care while using kitchen knives as marble may show blade scars. Marble countertops are incredibly tough to maintain and require being sealed regularly. If you have kids, be prepared for all kinds of scrapes as well as marks to show through. Plus, it has a porous texture that permits oils as well as discolorations to leak through. This means those unintended merlot and grape juice dashes require to be tidied up quickly. 

Quartz Countertops

Quartz is a non-porous and extremely tough stone; however, it is not made of an all-natural material. Because they’re synthetic, quartz countertops are a fantastic way to get the look of natural stones like marble or granite.

Kitchen Appearance 

Quartz countertops combine well with both light and dark-colored kitchen cabinets, making them very easy to integrate right into any kind of kitchen color pattern.

Quartz has the look of a natural stone while allowing you to tailor it according to your style. Since it is a manufactured product, quartz countertops are available in a wide range of colors and patterns, making their final appearance glamorous. The shimmering surface area is less dominant than with other countertops, so you’re not likely to grow tired of it.

Kitchen Maintenance

Different from quartzite, quartz is a non-porous stone that is durable, immune to numerous damages, and extremely simple to maintain. Quartz countertops are tarnish, acid, scratch, and heat resistant, thanks to their non-porous surface area. Hence, they don’t need to be sealed like natural stone kitchen countertops. Quartz countertops require way less maintenance compared to granite countertops. Clean any kind of spills off of quartz kitchen counters using soap and water. 

Compared to granite, quartz is tougher and therefore, more resilient. As a matter of fact, quartz is almost indestructible. Additionally, quartz isn’t permeable like granite; it’s very easy to keep your countertops fairly bacteria-free. Be careful when handling frying pans though, as heat can damage quart, so use hot pads all the time.

Quartzite Kitchen Countertops

Quartzites are made from metamorphosed sandstone. Depending on the amount of metamorphosis, each quartzite can be porous. Quartzite is a long-lasting material and can withstand heat quite effectively. 

Kitchen Appearance 

While the majority of quartzites are white or light-colored because of quartz material in them, more brilliant shades of quartzite can be found, as a result of additional minerals located in the rock. 

Quartzite countertops can usually be found in shades of white to gray. Pink, as well as red tones, are a result of iron oxide in the stone. Additionally, yellow, blue, and orange quartzite results from the presence of other minerals in the stone.

Natural quartzite countertops have become popular lately, due to their similarity to marble and longevity equivalent to granite. If you would certainly like a more diverse option of shades and also patterns to think about, you should consider quartzite countertops for your kitchen remodeling project.

Kitchen Maintenance 

Quartzite countertops need to be sealed before utilization and re-sealed once or twice each year. Without an appropriate seal, stains can permeate into the stone. This is a weakness shared by all-natural stones such as granite as well as marble. When effectively secured, quartzite maintenance comes effortlessly.

Similar to any kind of surface, simple preventative actions need to be taken to secure quartzite countertops. Clean up spills as rapidly as possible, utilize roller coasters, trivets, and also cooling racks. Nevertheless, quartzite is extremely high up on the Mohs firmness scale, which makes it tough and sturdy.

Taking care of quartzite countertops is quite similar to caring about granite surfaces. You should clean your countertops regularly using a gentle cleanser, water, and a soft cloth or paper towel. 

Granite Kitchen Countertops

Granite is an ideal choice for kitchen countertops. It’s lovely coloring and looks make it captivating and timeless, yet it does need some maintenance to retain its lovely appeal.

Kitchen Appearance 

Granite has an abundant beauty that few other kitchen countertop types can match. It is a natural product with a classic appeal. Granite countertops commonly end up being the centerpiece of the room. With more than 20 shades of granite to choose between, we are sure you will find the one that fits perfectly with your kitchen cabinets, floor covering, and wall tiles.

Granite is an igneous rock formed by volcanic action, and then gradually cooled down. Due to the fact that it is completely natural, no two cuts of granite are the same with varying colors and shades within, making each piece of granite countertops unique.

Kitchen Maintenance 

Granite is an extremely tough material; it can take the heat without being damaged or weakened. These countertops are immune to spotting and will not absorb fluids when effectively sealed. An excellent professional installer will be able to secure it correctly to make sure that it preserves its great appearances forever. You can also choose a DIY approach and seal the surface by yourself.

Nevertheless, granite countertops do have a couple of weaknesses. Unsealed or badly sealed countertops can take in red wine, juice, or oil, generating a tarnish that may be difficult to get rid of. A poorly-sealed countertop can also harbor germs in its pores. If left unsealed, granite could tarnish. Therefore, it is necessary to make certain that your granite countertops are sealed with an expert sealer before utilization. 

However, some treated granite countertops can go 10 years without being resealed, but more often granite countertops should be resealed on a yearly basis. When this is overlooked, it will not take long for granite kitchen countertops to start showing signs of discoloration.

While these countertops are very sturdy, a hefty item dropped on a corner could crack or chip the granite. This isn’t usual, however, it can happen even under the best of circumstances. 

Laminate Countertops

Laminate kitchen countertops are becoming more and more popular due to their adaptability. From modern kitchen designs to midcentury century kitchen designs, laminate countertops can fit in perfectly!

Kitchen Appearance 

Laminate countertops are available in a variety of colors, designs, and patterns, varying from choices that appear like marble to ones that mirror the look of stainless steel. 

You can find laminates in thousands of style alternatives. If you are into DIY, laminate is the best choice for developing your very own countertop.

Laminate kitchen countertops are great at mimicking their much more costly competitors, such as granite and marble countertops. 

Kitchen Maintenance 

Laminate countertops are made from plastic materials that make the countertops extremely simple to clean and immune to discolorations. Straightforward cleansing with soap and water is all that’s typically needed. They can, however, be scratched if harsh cleansers are used on them. 

Nowadays, high-pressure laminates are impregnated with cellulose layers that solidify right into the material, providing the countertop with considerably more strength and resistance to heat and scraping.

Nevertheless, you should not place hot items directly onto the countertop if you want to prevent damages. When it comes to cleaning, just use a mild soap.

Unfortunately, laminate countertops can gradually suffer from delamination, particularly from water damage. In many cases, it is hard to fix delamination, so you will be required to replace the whole countertop.

Conclusion

Due to technological advancement and human creativity, there are numerous countertop options to choose between. Homeowners have a practically unlimited choice of materials, styles, colors, patterns, and sizes to select from.

When it comes to durability, quartz countertops are the winners of the game. However, quartz countertops can discolarate in time if exposed to direct sunlight. Nonetheless, quartz does not need to be sealed so it has a great advantage over other natural stone countertops. 

On the other hand, if you are on a tight budget for your kitchen remodeling project, and would still like to achieve a natural stone look, there are multiple laminate countertops to choose from. However, be ready to remodel again soon, at least when it comes to countertops since laminate is not known for its durability.

Granite countertops seem like the best choice, offering a variety of colors, shades, and great functional performances. Unfortunately, they are a bit pricey, just as other natural stone countertops. All in all, considering the factors and options available on the market, granite countertop might be the safest and smartest option if you are not sure what you are looking for in kitchen countertops.

Choosing the best type of countertop for your kitchen can become a difficult task if you are not well prepared and informed. There are numerous and versatile options. Choosing the shade, finish, and form you like, as well as the material itself. Ideally, the above details on kitchen countertops will help you find your perfect countertop and give you an idea for your kitchen remodeling project.

If you would like to start working on your kitchen remodeling project, find out more about our countertops and other kitchen solutions, call us at (732) 356-3610 and let’s start planning today!