interior-kitchen-with-wooden-details-with-modern-kitchen-countertop-materials

When building a new home, one of the areas that requires the most design planning is the kitchen. In the kitchen you need to decide on lighting, flooring, paint colors, and the kitchen countertop materials. You may not think that kitchen countertop materials can be a hard decision to make, but there are so many different options to choose from, each with their own benefits. Here are some of the most popular kitchen countertop materials on the market and pros and cons to consider for using each of them in your own.  

Granite

Pros

  • Beautiful aesthetic

  • Strong and durable material

  • Enhances real estate value of home

  • Wide selection of colors and types of Granite to choose from

  • Heat resistant

  • Stain resistant

Cons

  • One of the pricier kitchen countertop materials

  • Can harbor bacteria over time

  • Unable to DIY installation

  • Granite can crack if not handled and installed correctly

  • Requires frequent sealing

Soapstone

Pros

  • Beautiful rich color

  • Slightly stain resistant

  • If damage occurs, it can typically be sanded out

  • Helps to create an antique aesthetic

Cons

  • Color can darken over time

  • Unable to DIY installation

  • Must be treated with mineral oil frequently

  • Soapstone can scratch and dent easily

Marble

Pros

  • Marble is waterproof

  • Heat resistant

  • Enhances real estate value of home

  • Provides luxury aesthetic

Cons

  • Color can darken over time

  • Unable to DIY installation

  • Must be treated with mineral oil frequently

  • Soapstone can scratch and dent easily

Quartz

Pros

  • Variety of options for colors, patterns, and textures

  • Doesn’t need frequent sealing

  • Resistant to bacteria growth

  • Harder to chip or dent quartz

  • You can customize odd shapes and sizes

  • Quartz resists stains. heat, and acid

Cons

  • Can be one of the more expensive options for kitchen countertop materials

  • Heavy material

  • Isn’t as natural-looking as stone

  • Sunlight can cause quartz to fade, warp, or crack over time

Solid-Surface Material

Pros

  • Resistant to stains

  • Seams are hard to notice

  • If damage occurs, it is easy to sand out the imperfections

  • Available in many colors and patterns

  • Integrates well with other sink and countertop units

Cons

  • Can be a moderately expensive countertop option

  • Not heat resistant

  • Unable to DIY installation

  • Sunlight can cause quartz to fade, warp, or crack over time

Ceramic Tile

Pros

  • Strong and durable material

  • Easy to clean surface

  • More affordable option for countertops

  • Resists heat damage

  • Large variety of colors and styles

Cons

  • Customized tiles can be expensive

  • Tile is very delicate and can crack easily

  • Grout lines are difficult to clean

Laminate

Pros

  • Widest selection of options for kitchen countertop materials

  • Easy to clean

  • Inexpensive

Cons

  • Seams can be visible

  • Can be deemed “too average-looking” for some homeowners

  • Edging and backsplashes can get expensive with custom orders

  • Laminate can be scratched easily and hard to repair

Wood or Butcher Block

Pros

  • Easy to clean

  • Long lasting

  • If damage occurs, it can be sanded and resealed

  • Hides cuts and scratches well

  • Great option for homeowners who bake or meal prep often

Cons

  • Can be one of the most expensive options for kitchen countertop materials

  • Not resistant to water damage

  • Bacteria can grow on wood or butcher blocks if not cleaned properly

  • Can crack easily if not oiled or sealed frequently

Stainless Steel

Pros

  • Heat resistant

  • Creates a modern aesthetic

  • Easy to clean

  • Enhances real estate value of your home

Cons

  • Noisy surface

  • Can be an expensive option

  • Easy to scratch

Concrete

Pros

  • Can be custom fitted for weird shapes or sizes

  • Heat and scratch resistant

  • Color-tints available

Cons

  • Cracking can occur

  • More expensive option for kitchen countertop materials

  • Needs to be sealed regularly