4.7
607 Reviews
Arizona’s Number 1 Flooring Retailer
4.7/5
Professional Installation
Educated Consultants
4.7
607 Reviews
4.7/5
With so many materials, colors, and patterns to choose from, selecting the right countertop can be overwhelming. It’s important to feel confident that you’ve chosen the best kitchen countertops for the heart of your home.
We understand the challenge, especially since countertops are a long-term investment. Considering the cost of some materials, you want to get it right the first time, and that’s where we come in.
In this blog, the Baker Bros team has created a comprehensive guide to help you choose the best kitchen countertop material. Once you're informed, our designers are here to assist in selecting the best option for your home.
We know choosing your kitchen countertop is a serious decision, especially if you're renovating or building a new kitchen. That’s why we’ve shared some of the best countertop materials worth considering.
We’ve outlined each material and why it’s an attractive choice. Read on to better understand your options for your upcoming project.
Commonly used in kitchens and bathrooms, granite countertops are both a beautiful and durable option. This natural stone feels smooth, cool, and luxurious. Available in various colors and patterns, from speckled to veined, granite offers diverse style options.
Darker granite can add a dramatic touch, while lighter shades can make small kitchens feel more spacious. However, since granite is a luxury material, it can be quite expensive based on the size of your kitchen, and regular polishing and sealing are necessary to maintain its durability.
If you want kitchen countertops that exude luminosity, consider marble. Like granite, marble is also smooth to the touch and comes in several unique colors and patterns.
Often, people confuse marble and granite since the two can look similar. However, marble is the more high-end material, with often hefty price tags. It is also one of the most beautiful countertop materials for your kitchen.
Yet, marble requires extensive upkeep. Although long-lasting, it is vulnerable to water damage, heat damage, and chemical stains, all of which can cause permanent etching and stains. So, if you plan on spending a lot of time in your kitchen and are concerned about damaging the surface, it's important to keep this in mind.
Did you know that engineered quartz is currently the most common countertop material in home remodeling? Quartz countertops are made from engineered natural stone particles, permanently encased in resin, making them moisture-resistant, scratch-resistant, stain-resistant, and durable.
Quartz countertops are glossy and have a beautiful luster, so you don’t have to worry as much about chipping or cracking compared to marble and granite. However, quartz countertops can be incredibly heavy, weighing about 20 pounds per square foot, so it’s often best to have professional help with the installation.
While most commonly used in bathrooms, ceramic tile countertops can also be an excellent option for kitchens.
They are easy to install and typically made by layering individual tiles using thin-set mortar adhesives over a cement-board core. This material comes in many colors, styles, and patterns; however, it’s essential to remember that it’s quite brittle and prone to cracking.
So, although it may be an inexpensive, heat-resistant, and durable countertop option, each tile can impede the countertop's functionality, making it harder to clean and prepare food on the surface.
Affordable and synthetic, laminate countertops offer a practical choice for kitchens. They are made by layering plastic over particleboard to create a solid, water-resistant, and durable surface. This type of countertop was once prevalent but has become less common compared to stone and wood counterparts.
Although less popular today, it is a cost-effective solution if you’re on a budget. It comes in various colors and patterns and is lightweight and easy to install if you're planning a DIY kitchen remodel.
Laminate countertops are versatile, as they can be customized to suit any kitchen layout. However, they will dent and scratch over time.
A solid-surface countertop is manufactured from synthetic materials like mineral dust and resin and is similar in composition to quartz. This countertop material allows you to choose between different bevels and edges, as well as various colors and patterns. It can also be customized to fit your kitchen layout.
If you are handy around the home and somewhat of a DIY expert, you should have no issue installing solid-surface countertops after purchasing them from a store like Baker Bros. Additionally, you won’t have to worry about sealing or resealing solid surface countertops since they are moisture-resistant.
However, these countertops aren’t as scratch- or heat-resistant as quartz and other materials, so keep that in mind.
Recently, wood or butcher block countertops have gained popularity, with many varieties available, such as oak, teak, ash, or even bamboo. They have become popular because not only do they look good and add warmth to a kitchen, but they are also highly durable. You’re almost guaranteed to get years of use out of a wood countertop.
However, due to the fibrous nature of wood, countertops must be regularly oiled using mineral oil. It's also worth noting that wood countertops can become stained, scratched, or even burned.
That’s why it’s essential to sand and reseal the wood every two to three years. Sanding and sealing the wood countertop helps prevent mildew, bacteria, and mold from seeping into its surface, restoring it to its natural beauty.
If you’re looking for a kitchen countertop that is easy to clean and modern, consider stainless steel. Stainless steel countertops are predominantly used in kitchens as they are non-porous, easy to maintain, and clean. This material is also resistant to mold, mildew, and stains.
However, this doesn’t mean they require no maintenance. You’ll need to clean up messes quickly, as the longer you leave a spill, the harder it is to remove. You should also know that stainless steel countertops are expensive, but their heat resistance helps justify the price.
Additionally, stainless steel is prone to dents, scratches, or other abrasive damage, so you must use a cutting board to protect the countertop surface.
Since countertops are an essential practical and functional element in your kitchen design, they need to be made from a material that meets your needs. So, when deciding which kitchen countertop material is best for your renovation or remodel, consider the following factors.
A countertop's ability to resist stains is one of the most important factors for homeowners. Some examples of highly stain-resistant countertops include properly sealed natural stone and quartz.
However, it’s important to note that some materials may make false claims about their stain resistance. For example, certain brands may claim engineered and properly sealed natural stones are stain-proof. This isn’t true. They might be stain-resistant, but not 100% stain-proof. If you’re looking for stain-proof countertop materials, you should speak with an expert at Baker Bros, who can guide you in the right direction.
One of the most common issues when choosing a kitchen countertop material is heat resistance. The best heat-resistant countertop materials include quartz, granite, terrazzo, copper, concrete, aluminum, stainless steel, and other natural stones.
If you purchase a countertop made from one of these materials, it will likely tolerate significant heat and can resist any hot pot or pan placed on its surface.
However, regardless of the material's composition and heat-resistant capabilities, it is essential to treat your countertop carefully. Don’t take chances; instead, place hot items on heat-resistant kitchen tools rather than directly on your countertop.
Another critical factor when choosing a kitchen countertop material is its ability to resist scratches and chips.
Sharp cooking utensils can easily scratch countertop materials like soapstone, laminate, and limestone. Similarly, materials made from recycled glass, marble, and concrete are prone to chipping.
In addition to sharp objects, be cautious not to accidentally drop or clunk tile or glass countertops, as this can result in damage. If you don’t want to deal with scratches and chips, the best materials for countertops include granite and quartz.
The kitchen is one of the messiest and busiest rooms in a home, and as often as you use the space is how often you'll have to clean it. However, certain kitchen countertop materials require more maintenance than others. As such, you must compare how much maintenance the different types of countertop materials need to determine if you’ll find them easy to maintain.
Before your kitchen renovation or remodel, speak with a qualified designer to assess how frequently different types of countertop materials need to be sealed, sanded, and polished, and how quickly they absorb stains.
You will also need to determine the best cleaning methods and how demanding the maintenance process will be. Granite, laminate, quartz, and other engineered stones, alongside stainless steel, are generally the easiest to maintain and clean.
As a homeowner, the look you want for your kitchen will influence what countertop material you choose. With so many stunning options, it can be challenging, but the choice can be easier if you consider the following:
As much as we might not want to admit it, price plays a significant role in the choice of kitchen countertops. According to a report by Consumer Reports, prices can typically range from about $85 to over $200 per square foot installed.
For example, the average price of a granite countertop per square foot installed can range from $85 to $200, with an average of around $120. On the other hand, quartz countertops can range from about $$100 to $200 per square foot for standard quartz and $150 per square foot for more luxurious options.
With prices varying, homeowners should ask about the pros and cons of each material option to know what they’re getting for the price.
Committing to a kitchen renovation or new build is an excellent way to increase your home’s value and modernize your kitchen space. However, it is essential to carefully compare countertop materials to find the one that's right for your style preferences, commitment to maintenance, and budget.
We understand that choosing a countertop material can be challenging or overwhelming due to the many options and factors. Fortunately, you don’t need to worry, as our team at Baker Bros will make comparing countertop surface materials easier than ever. Visit one of our showrooms and we’ll help you choose the perfect countertop material for your kitchen.
Stay informed, get inspired, and be the first to know about promotions – subscribe now!
By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy.
.png)
.png)
