Which Kitchen Countertop Material is Best?

Even if you aren’t getting a complete kitchen remodel, it may be time for new kitchen countertops. These can get very worn out over the years due to heavy daily use, and they can end up looking pretty unsightly. But don’t worry—at Incredible Kitchens and Baths, installing new kitchen countertops is one of our specialties.

But how do you know what countertops are best for your specific kitchen? Besides aesthetics, important things to consider are durability, lifestyle, price, and how much work it takes to keep the countertop clean.

Granite

Granite is a superstar in the countertop world. One of the most popular choices, granite features eye-pleasing mottling and comes in a wide selection of colors and patterns. One of the biggest attractions to granite is its intense durability and its uniqueness—each piece of granite is one-of-a-kind.

Natural Stone

Other natural stone materials such as marble, soapstone, and limestone are softer than granite. This means that they require more detailed care, but they are still very durable and attractive. Soapstone is very “homey” and is gaining popularity.

Solid Surface

A long-time favorite due to the countless color options and its ability to resist stains, solid-surface countertops are also seamless and easy as can be to maintain. This material, however, does get scorched and can show off scratches more than more durable materials.

Concrete

Heat and stain-resistant, concrete is an extremely durable and surprisingly versatile material that can be tinted for design possibilities. Although it requires periodic sealing, concrete is a popular choice due to its beauty and strength.

Wood

Wooden countertops immediately create a warm, earthy, welcoming atmosphere to any kitchen. They’re simple to keep clean, and any scratches can be easily sanded out. (However, many people love the “worn” look that the scratches add to a wooden countertop.) Wood makes an excellent work area for preparing meals—although water can affect a wooden countertop fairly easily. This means that the wood must be oiled often to keep the surface sealed.

Engineered Stone

This “bulletproof” material is extremely popular because it comes in a wider variety of colors than natural stone countertops, and they are also more durable than natural stone. Engineered stone is also very easy to maintain.

Tile

Talk about design options! Porcelain and ceramic tiles offer limitless choices for design and color. Tile is also inexpensive and works with the aesthetics of most kitchens. And while it’s durable enough, even damaged tiles can be easily replaced. Some homeowners, however, are not fond of the wear and stains that tend to show up on the grout between the tiles.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel countertops are all custom-made to fit your kitchen; therefore you’ll be guaranteed a tailored look just for you. Also, the reason that so many restaurants use stainless steel counters is because it’s basically indestructible and it has a major ability to resist bacteria.

Marble

Everyone loves a marble kitchen countertop. They evoke wealth and sophistication, and as far as practicality, they’re perfect for pastry baking due to the ability to stay cool. However, this gorgeous material is more susceptible than other materials to stains, chips, and scratches. For this reason, many people choose to use marble as a kitchen accent only.  

If you’ve been noticing that your kitchen countertops need to be replaced, contact us at Incredible Kitchens and Baths if you’re around Kokomo or Peru, IN. Simply call (765) 437-1038, and we will do our best to work within your budget and your timeline to get you the kitchen countertops you want!