Oh, behold the beautiful spring weather! The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, and your neighbor is finally weeding their monstrously overgrown backyard. You're spending more time outside these days, thankfully, because being cooped up in the house all winter long has given everyone in your family a little cabin fever.
But there's something niggling at you each and every morning you rise and face the coffee pot. Your kitchen. There's nothing outright wrong with it, it's just a bit drab, a bit worn, a bit aged for your taste. While you enjoyed the comforting nostalgia for a while that it reminds you a little of your grandmother's kitchen, that wore off pretty quickly when you noticed little mold spots growing in a seam on your countertop--yikes!
Start Small & Make A Big Difference
If you're considering a whole kitchen reno, you've got a big task in front of you that will likely batter your bank account too, depending on how you do it. The good thing about doing it all in one fell swoop is that you can coordinate every nook and cranny. Each piece--the floors, countertops, the cupboards, backsplash, appliances--they'll co-exist in perfect aesthetic harmony, and they'll age together too. The downside is the time and expense, and the fact that the romantic idea of a new kitchen will take a giant backseat to the ever-too-present grinding, sawing, hammering, and complete kitchen disarray that will overtake your entire house (read: not just your kitchen) for several weeks. Are you up for it?
If the answer is no, start smallish. New countertops can make a huge difference to the look and feel of your kitchen, and they usually feature the most noticeable signs of culinary distress. They also pose the greatest health risk, which is especially concerning during these times. Tiny cracks, fissures, and scratches can harbour dangerous bacteria, and cleaning with abrasive chemicals to counteract bacteria can damage the countertop finish.
The first thing most people think upon hearing the idea of new countertops is cha-ching! Who has that kind of money during these times? True, some countertops can cost a small fortune, depending on the size of your kitchen and the material you choose. But they don't have too. There are a plethora of options, so finding a few that fit your preferences won't be difficult.
Speaking of choice: It's both a benefit and a burden.
Which countertops best suit your lifestyle and cooking habits? Which ones are easiest to maintain? Which countertops are the most durable?
Which ones look good in your kitchen? Do you want something that provides some contrast in style, color, or pattern? Do you want to make a statement or do you prefer them to blend in and complement the rest of your kitchen?
What kitchen countertops are in style? Do you want countertops that are timeless and elegant, or something trendy and modern?
More options means more information to tease out and consider. It's enough to make the head and the tail spin, especially when you're attempting to choose something that checks all your boxes. But of course, there is also an inherent freedom in choice. It makes us feel like we have greater control over our outcomes.
However you feel about choice, we recommend taking some time with this guide. Always weigh the pros and cons before embarking on any kitchen reno project, even if you feel somewhat confident in your skills. My rule of thumb is don't make the decision in one day. Explore all the options and let them sit for a few days.
We'll dive into all these questions and more, so when it comes time to make that big decision, you'll be armed with all the details you need to make an informed choice.
Feel free to read this guide from start to finish. Or, if you prefer, skip to the section of most interest to you using the table of contents below.
Table of Contents
What Is The Best Countertop For Kitchens?
Solid Surface, Natural Stone & Engineered Stone
Surface Sheen: Honed, Leathered, Or Polished?
WHAT IS THE BEST COUNTERTOP FOR KITCHENS?
Solid Surface, Natural Stone & Engineered Stone
Designers and homeowners are making more environmentally conscious choices with eco-friendly options and natural materials. Natural stone is highly durable and less processed, making it a more environmentally conscious option than alternatives. It has an unique structure and natural graining and veining patterns. Indeed, no two countertops will be the same, and all are highly durable.
Solid surface countertops are made from natural minerals and man-made materials like plastic resins and pigments. Consider them your "everyday countertop" in that they lack the lustre of real stone but are more affordable, primarily because they're easy to fabricate.
Style and authenticity isn't always a priority, and solid surface countertops come in handy here. They have a uniform appearance, are non-porous, and feature a matte finish. Since they're non-porous, no sealing is required to prevent stains and water damage. However, they are prone to warping if exposed too frequently to heat.
Engineered stone is essentially quartz. It's one of the more popular choices of kitchen countertops in recent decades, and we'll discuss why when we look specifically at quartz in an upcoming section of this guide. It's a man-made material, hence "engineered", consisting of quartz crystals and a resin binder. It's smooth, glossy, and hard, and it isn't as prone to damage as solid surface is. It comes in a variety of color options and styles too.
Surface Sheen: Polished, Honed, Or Leathered?
Most countertop finishes are polished, producing an attractive glossy appearance. They're a popular choice for their aesthetic appeal, but also for their durability. The polish offers a layer of protection, making the material less porous and thus preventing scratches, stains, and cracks from forming. Regular cleaning is necessary to maintain the luster.
A honed countertop finish produces a matte surface: flat, consistent, and non-reflective. It has a visually softer appeal than the high-shine of a polished surface. While it also offers a certain degree of protection, a honed finish is more effective at hiding flaws that occur with regular use, such as stains and scratches, than a polished surface.
For natural stone countertops, a leathered finish is the way to go. It maintains and even complements the textured appearance of the stone and preserves its color. They have a gentle sheen that has a reflective quality to it, though not as intense as a polished surface. Leathered surfacing conceals water spots, smudges, and fingerprints but does little to prevent stains and scratches. You'll dig its character smoothness under your hands.
Thin Slab
An excellent and rather trendy choice for the minimalist, thin slab is fabricated to as little as a 1 cm thickness. It has a lighter, more airy appearance, giving the illusion of more space, which makes it ideal for small kitchens. Choose granite or porcelain stoneware.
Waterfall Edges
A continuous countertop, right down to the floor?! Waterfall edges offer a seamless style that is high on the list of kitchen countertop options for 2021. It's sleek, modern, and clean, and more budget friendly than you'd imagine for its luxurious look.
Avoid Surprises
Ensure that the person installing your new countertop takes a final measurement so that if there is a discrepancy in cost, they are accountable and you're not left with the costs of their error. Have them specify the material thickness and finish, and additional fees for sink, stovetop, and faucet cutouts, edges, backsplash and removal of old countertop and materials.
7 Types Of Kitchen Countertops
7 Types Of Kitchen CountertopsMARBLE SLAB
If you're trying to choose between a classic or modern style for your kitchen, you don't have to, at least not when it comes to choosing your countertop. Marble kitchen countertops have a luxurious appearance that emit both a classic and modern feel. It's a popular choice for many homeowners, not just for countertops, but also backsplash and waterfall edges too. As a natural material, it comes in a great variety of color options and ingrained patterns, which most artificial materials don't give you. And if you like to bake, a marble surface is ideal for rolling dough and pastries.
Pros: Easy to shape and cut; luxurious appearance; less expensive than granite or quartz.
Cons: Porous and prone to stains and bacteria; softer than other materials so it may scratch and chip more easily; more expensive than wood or laminate.
Cost: $40-$100 per square foot.
Maintenance: How do you take care of marble kitchen countertops? Arguably, they require a little more attention than other types of countertops, but they're not without reward for your hard work. Marble kitchen countertops should be sealed when installed but it's not a life-long seal, nor does it make your marble countertop resistant to stain. When you notice that water no longer beads on its surface, it's time to reseal. Avoid bringing acidic products such as citrus and vinegar in contact with marble as they can damage the finish. For regular cleaning, use a soft cloth and marble-sensitive cleaner.
QUARTZ
Quartz is like the mutt breed of kitchen countertops. While that doesn't make it sound very nice, it's one of the safest options for kitchen countertops as far as practicality, durability, and cost go. We call it the mutt because it's a blend of ground quartz rock combined with resins, pigments, and polymers into a man-made slab with unique designs and patterns. In most cases, the ground quartz comprises about 90% of the whole slab.
Why do so many people love quartz for kitchen countertops? Its lasting beauty and durability are two of the top reasons for the popularity of quartz countertops. It's also easy to care for and far less expensive than granite. It also won't chip as easily as marble or granite, making quartz one of the best kitchen countertops for durability. If you're looking for a more uniform appearance, quartz is a good choice too. As a man-made surface, it is fairly consistent in terms of texture, veining, and tones.
Quartz is eco-friendly, low-maintenance, and highly durable in the face of everyday use. It also comes in a variety of finishes and color options, including earth tones, cool hues, or bright, bold shades.
Pros: Highly durable; resistant to spills, stains, and heat; several options to choose from; low-maintenance (no resealing required - it's non-porous so it won't absorb stains or hold bacteria, making it more hygienic).
Cons: Scratch resistant, which may be hard on your knives if you're using it as a cutting board; seasonal changes may cause it to crack (if temps are extreme); can discolor if exposed to UV rays; seams may be noticeable if you need several sections and if they're not professionally installed.
Cost: $2240 - $5600
Maintenance: Quartz typically comes presealed and doesn't require resealing. Wash with a mild cleanser.
GRANITE
Mined from pure stone, granite is a 100% natural stone, so colors vary depending on where the stone came from. From muted earth tones to an array of vivid blues and reds, granite pleases the eye and suits a variety of style preferences and kitchen color palettes. Each slab will have a unique set of flaws, and may chip more easily than quartz or other types of kitchen countertops. Granite is simultaneously alluring and durable.
Pros: Beautiful, 100% natural stone, environmentally-friendly, and highly-durable.
Cons: It's porous, which means liquids and seep through and stain its surface, and bacteria can breed causing the surface to become unsanitary. Sealing can prevent this issue, but it must be resealed throughout its lifetime.
Cost: $2240 - $5600
Maintenance: Before it's installed, ensure it is sealed with a resin-based sealant to increase its resilience to damage. They require regular resealing, and to maintain its appearance, mop up those messes quickly to avoid stains. It's elegant while also being environmentally responsible.
RECYCLED GLASS
Want to make a style and political statement in your kitchen? Recycled glass is a unique choice that's becoming more popular. It suits both the style conservative and the style radicals because you can customize its look as much as you want. Its appearance depends on the size and shapes of the glass pieces and the colors. Make it fun, loud, and contemporary, with large-cut and inconsistently-sized pieces of glass in an array of vivid colors. Or, go for finely ground glass in subdued colors for a less busy and bold appearance. It's more expensive than other options but far more sustainable due to its repurposed nature.
Pros: Resists stains, cuts, scratches, and heat; durable & environmentally responsible.
Cons: May require re-sealing and re-waxing once a year.
Cost: $3360 - $6720
Maintenance: May require re-sealing and re-waxing once a year.
CONCRETE
Concrete countertops complement an industrial and professional style kitchen and appliances. You have a bit of freedom regarding color as concrete can be dyed. It can also be textured, but depending on what you choose, that can affect countertop performance. Some sealers guard against stain but not heat; others guard against heat but not stain, so know what you're going into when you choose a sealer. They will also require regular reapplication.
Pros: Can be customized to your color and texture preferences.
Cons: Nicks easily and can develop cracks; expensive.
Cost: $3360 - $6720
Maintenance: Requires different types of sealing for heat and stains.
LAMINATE (AKA FORMICA)
Formica is a brand name, but it's used as a catch-all phrase for laminate material, a smooth veneer applied to plywood or fiberwood that became increasingly popular in the 1970s. If that just made you think of your grandmother's stained, mouse-brown countertop, forget it. Laminate has come a long way in style but remains a functional and cost-efficient option. In fact, laminate is one of the best kitchen countertops for price.
However, realtors recommend choosing a higher-end surface, like granite, if you're concerned about ROI when it comes time to sell your home. While laminate can certainly look like the real thing, any kitchen assessment will reveal it's not.
Pros: Inexpensive; stain-resistant; easy-to-install.
Cons: Damages easily if used as a cutting board; requires tight seams .
Cost: $560 - $2240
Maintenance: No maintenance other than resealing of seams as necessary. Some brands are more moisture-resistant than others so ensure you're choosing one that will withstand regular exposure to water (it's a kitchen countertop, after all!).
WOODEN BUTCHER BLOCK
Love that country kitchen charm look? The wooden chopping block countertop certainly checks that box, it also doubles as a built-in cutting board. However, their ability to withstand moisture varies depending on the type of wood selected. Teak, rosewood, and mahogany are some of the best choices, as well as acacia, beech, and walnut because they're hardwoods. Softwoods like pine are prone to damage and won't resist moisture well.
Pros: Beautiful, warm appearance; easy to install and repair.
Cons: Less moisture and stain resistant than stone; must be regularly maintained.
Cost: $2240 - $5600 (prices vary by type of wood).
Maintenance: No matter what type of wood you select, it must be subjected to a protective coating to withstand the harsh environment of a kitchen--namely, heat and moisture. Ensure that the waterproofing seal you choose is food-safe certified. You must also regularly oil and wax your wooden countertop to protect it from moisture damage and to help preserve its attractive grain and texture.
A Slab Of Joy...
We hope this guide has lent you a beginner's insight into the range of kitchen countertop options. Now that you've got a starting point, the next steps are narrowing down the options and honing in on the most viable ones.
What is your priority? Price? Durability? Appearance? Whatever it is, choice abounds, which we hope you'll accept as a benefit rather than a burden! One last thought before you dive into decision making: consider how your new countertops will fit the rest of your kitchen, with cabinets and appliances as the main focal points. If you're into mismatched style, then it doesn't matter so much. But if you want to keep a consistent timelessness or contemporariness to your kitchen, then ensure that your chosen countertop follows suit.
We hope you enjoyed this free guide from Priority Chef. If you have questions, comments, or other feedback, please feel free to contact us, or sign up for our monthly newsletter.
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Priority Chef: Quality You Can Trust
At Priority Chef, we think that food prep and cooking should be a fun and rewarding endeavor, but that's only possible with the right tools. That's why we're focused on creating functional, high-quality kitchenware that you and your family will rely on for years.
We design, source, craft, and rigorously test each of our products to ensure the highest quality and convenience. From our family to yours, enjoy convenience and novelty in the kitchen, always at your fingertips!
