One thing that many people do not realize when they are about to remodel their kitchen is how many choices they have to make as far as the design is concerned. Take kitchen countertops for example. You have a very wide variety of choices when it comes to selecting a new kitchen countertop so that means the decision is not going to be an easy one.
Don’t make the mistake of thinking your countertop selection will be based solely on looks and cost either. There are other characteristics of countertops that should be factored in. These include such things as how easy a countertop surface is to keep clean, maintained, and the types of tasks that will be done on your new kitchen counter.
Pros and Cons of the Most Popular Kitchen Countertop Types
Here is a list of the most common kitchen countertops along with the good and bad things about them
Granite
Natural granite stone is by far one of the most popular types of kitchen countertop materials.
Pros: Durable and heat resistant. Thousands of color and pattern choices.
Cons: Can be expensive. Needs to periodically be resealed
Quartz (Engineered Stone)
These countertops are made using quartz particles held together by resins.
Pros: Can be custom made to any size. Super-easy to maintain. Few Imperfections if any.
Cons: The biggest downside to engineered stone is its cost.
Marble
Few countertop materials look more beautiful in their natural state than marble countertops.
Pros: Beautiful and unique veining. Adds value to your home.
Cons: Prone to staining. Very expensive.
Butcher Block
This is your traditional wooden countertop. These look great in a country style kitchen setting.
Pros: The price point is good on this material. They can be sanded and resealed so they have a long life span.
Cons: Scratches easily. Water and other liquids can stain it
Solid-Surface
A man-made acrylic countertop surface that’s sometimes referred to as Avonite, Corian, and Swanstone.
Pros: Many color and pattern choices. Resists staining.
Cons: Somewhat costly. Heat sensitive.
Tile
Tile is great for those on tight budgets and those who are going for a more traditional kitchen look.
Pros: Many different color and style choices. Great for the do-it-yourselfer.
Cons: Chips more easily than most other countertop surfaces. Grout stains and gets discolored easily.
If Unsure Which Type of Countertop Is Best For You Get Help
After learning about all the choices in kitchen countertops, maybe you still aren’t sure which type of countertop is right for you? Well, there are plenty of professional remodeling companies out there that have interior design teams that would be glad to help. Companies like Evergreen Renovations and Roofing of Beaverton, Oregon have expert design teams that will guide you through every step of the kitchen countertop selection process for your remodel.
So don’t be afraid to lean on your prospective kitchen remodel contractor for advice and take full advantage of the resources they have to offer.