Countertop Style Guide

When planning a kitchen re-do or just a facelift, one thing that needs to be considered is the style of countertops you’d like. However, there are several types, each having their own unique characteristics. Below we’ll break down the basics of different materials for countertops to help you better decide what is best for your home, budget and lifestyle.

While there are a plethora of other surfaces such as tiled, concrete and wood, we will focus on the “main” styles: marble, granite, quartz and solid surface.

Marble

Marble is a natural stone that occurs in several parts of the world, each region having its own specific traits. Marble tops come in large slabs, with no two being identical. Veining of colors through marble is common and can create a nice contrast to the normal 90° lines you’ll find in most kitchens. This also makes each countertop unique giving your kitchen a customization that cannot be matched.

As with all natural stone, it has properties that can be both good and bad in a kitchen environment. It is a porous stone that can lend itself to staining and also scratching. Also, due to its chemical makeup, it is susceptible to etching from acids (though there are steps to prevent this).  It is however hard enough that it is chip resistant, can be polished, and is heat resistant. You can get it in several finishes depending if you want highly polished or a more matted look.

It is an ageless look that many high-end kitchens opt for, but it is likely the most expensive option. However, if you are looking for something special to go with your kitchen cabinets, marble is a great choice.

Granite

Also a natural stone, granite is a harder material than marble, meaning it is scratch resistant. Again, each slab is unique, but granite is available in a much wider variety of colors, ranging from nearly pitch black to white with many colors in between. Also, due to granite’s structure it is low maintenance in comparison to marble making it easier to care for. Spills can simply be wiped up and it is resistant to most chemicals.

This is very popular choice for kitchens both modern and classic as there are many choices for colors and veining. The ability to choose which slab or slabs you want for your counters is particularly attractive without the price-tag of marble.

Quartz

Although quartz countertops are made up of natural quartz stone, they are human engineered. Quartz stone is ground and mixed with resins and coloring to make a natural looking product but with more consistency. This allows you to use the material throughout your kitchen and even in other parts of your home all while keeping your look the same. The resins not only make the top scratch resistant, it also makes it non-porous. This means that the top does not need to be sealed unlike natural stone countertops.

Quartz comes in a variety of colors, finishes, patterns and even styles such as metallic flakes. You can now get quartz tops that mimic the looks of marble and granite, and is typically similarly priced to granite.

Solid Surface

Unlike stone countertops, solid surface countertops are completely man-made. This means that they come in a huge variety of colors, patterns, shapes and can be 100% customized to your home. Each piece is molded to fit the specific shape, and can even have a backsplash seamlessly molded with it. This eliminates any gaps where crumbs or bacteria can hide causing mold or bacteria growth. Solid surface is also the only material that can integrate a sink seamlessly.  Due to it being man-made, there are options of patterns that mimic wood, marble, granite, and solid and patterned designs, giving you choices for complete customization. Solid surface does not need to be sealed, is non-porous, and is stain and moisture resistant making it very low maintenance.

However, due to the nature of the material, it is also not as scratch- and heat-resistant. Also, the typically acrylic material can give it a “plastic” feeling that is not as high-design as natural stone options. Depending on the brand, options and style you prefer, price ranges can vary greatly. This is typically a middle of the road pricing option, but can be equal to granite with all the bells and whistles.

 

Take time to think about your daily routine in the kitchen before choosing a surface material. Design, budget, daily usage and your willingness to perform maintenance are all factors in what type of countertops are right for you and your family.