What You Should Know About Kitchen Countertop Options

Whether you are remodeling a kitchen or you are building a custom home, you will have to make a lot of decisions, one of which is choosing your kitchen countertops. Your countertops have a significant impact on the overall look and feel of your kitchen. These are some things you should know about your countertop options.

Traditional Wood Countertops

Wood countertops, such as butcher block, give your kitchen a rich, natural look. However, if you drop pots or dishes on them, cut on them with a knife or set hot pans on them, they can be dented, cut and burned, but some damage can be sanded out. These countertops also require a little maintenance. For example, they need oil every few months. Some types of wood, such as Bamboo, are a bit more durable, but wood countertops will age over the years.

Luxury Stone Countertops

Granite, Marble and Quartz are typically higher priced than other kitchen countertop options, but they are coming down in price. When you are working with granite and marble, you need to understand that no stone will look exactly the same. There will be movement, color shifts and other differences in each piece, but if they come from the same quarry and batch, they will look more similar. Granite and marble’s porous surfaces also make them susceptible to stains.

Quartz products are more durable. They are a mixture of stone and resin, so they aren’t porous. They don’t tend to stain or scratch.

Inexpensive Laminate Countertops

If you are looking for an inexpensive option, laminate countertops offer a good option. These countertops can look like more expensive stone products, but they will never look completely like these products. These durable countertops are sold much more frequently than other countertop products.  

Man-Made Countertops

Solid-surface products are manmade. These products, such as Corian, are nonporous, so they won’t stain or scratch easily. The joints also can be hidden nearly completely. These products are durable, functional and hygienic.

Your contractor and the company you work with for your kitchen countertops can help you choose the right material based on your preferences and the other features in your kitchen.