Tips to Choose the Right Countertop Material

There are so many countertop material options available today, not to mention all the different colors and patterns, that it may be overwhelming to think about what to replace your current tops with. Some materials are more durable, while others are more cost-effective. You need to think about what is best in your situation. Here are the pros and cons of some of the most common countertop materials.

Plastic Laminate

This is easily the most common countertop material, being the cheapest and most widely available. You have likely had laminate counters at some point in your life. It is often a quarter the cost of natural stone and engineered surfaces. While plastic laminate may not be nearly as durable as quartz, and scratches more easily, it is budget-friendly enough that your tops can be replaced after fifteen years when you are sick of the color. Not always the case with more expensive materials.

Wood Top / Butcher Block

Wood countertops can be used either as a butcher block or as a finished material. If you plan to cut directly on the top, you may want to consider getting a butcher block island that is made just for this purpose. Finished wood countertops should not be used as a cutting board; they can be refinished, but are not meant to be sanded down. Butcher block is a solid slab of wood that can be cut, sanded and refinished every so often with a safe substance, such as tung oil.

Natural Stone

There are various forms of natural stone available to consumers, from the popular granite to soapstone and travertine. Prices vary, depending on the availability of the product and color. Widely available cuts of granite are much less expensive than some of the others. Natural stone can be beautiful; slabs of stone are cut and shaped directly from the earth with their original patterns intact. You know your stone countertop will be unique. However, they usually need to be sealed every few years and may be more susceptible to cracking.

Engineered Stone

Quartz is an engineered stone. It is made from the earth's minerals, but unlike granite, these small granules are combined with a binder to make a much stronger product. Also unlike granite, quartz countertops never need to be resealed. The patterns are typically smaller and more uniform, so you know exactly what you are getting with an engineered stone product. On the downside, quartz can be a lot more expensive than granite, depending on the company you get it from.

Solid Surface

This is another popular man-made countertop product. It is a softer material that can be molded into virtually any shape; it also scratches easily. Solid surfacing is available in many colors - colors that run all the way through the countertop so it can be buffed and made to look like new. It can be made to look very similar to natural stone, with similar prices, as well - if not higher.

Grouted Tile

Tile is yet another countertop material option. You can get tile in numerous materials: ceramic, granite, glass and slate, among others. The price and quality of the tile depends entirely on the material it is made of. Tiles need to be grouted together when it is made into a countertop. It is not always a popular choice among remodelers, being a slightly dated look. Besides, imagine trying to work on an uneven countertop surface, or trying to clean the grout. It is higher maintenance than many other materials.

Concrete

This is a somewhat new and innovative - as well as durable - countertop choice compared to the others. Concrete can create a nice, contemporary touch in your kitchen with its clean lines and smooth surface. It can be stained to various colors, but needs to be sealed properly to keep its attractiveness. On the downside, concrete often does not look the same several months after installation and, if not sealed properly, it can be stained and damaged easily.

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