Compare Kitchen Countertops

There are many different types of kitchen countertops to choose from when picking a new kitchen countertop for the home. So how does the homeowner know which kitchen countertop is right for their purposes? By conducting a little bit of research to compare kitchen countertops. Each of the different types of kitchen countertops has different properties that make them good for some applications and not so good for others. The type of kitchen countertop that the homeowner will choose depends on the needs of the homeowner.

When you compare kitchen countertops, it is important to remember that the quality of the countertop depends a great deal on the method used to create it. Countertops that are created by do-it-yourselfers may not be a strong or sealed as well as custom countertops created by a certified professional. The quality of the products used will also have an impact on the overall quality of the kitchen countertops. The products used may be thinner or older than the products used by others which means that they will not work as well as the newer, thicker products. There are many factors that can impact the quality of a countertop and it is important to keep these items in mind when you compare kitchen countertops.

When you compare kitchen countertops to find the one that is best for you, it is also important to know the properties of the different types of countertops.

TYPE

COST

MAINTENANCE

PROS

CONS

Granite

Expensive

High

Heat resistant
Each is unique
Beautiful designs

May crack
Limited colors
Absorbs stains

Stone (Engineered)

Expensive

Low

Heat resistant
Stain resistant
Hard, strong material

Limited styles
Color differences
May crack

Solid Surface

Moderate

Low

Seamless design
Water resistant
Many styles

Heat damage
Absorbs stains
Scratches

Ceramic Tile

Moderate

Moderate

Heat resistant
Durable
Many styles

Absorbs stains
Uneven surface
May crack

Laminates

Inexpensive

Low

Many styles
Easy DIY project
Durable

Heat damage
Irreparable nicks
Easily damaged

Wood

Moderate

High

Easy cleaning
Beautiful styling
Matches any décor

Limited styles
Absorbs stains
Easily damaged

Stainless Steel

Expensive

Low

Heat Resistant
Durable
Easy cleaning

Limited styles
May dent
Difficult repairs

Soapstone

Moderate

High

Stain resistant
Beautiful color
Strong material

Limited styles
May crack
Color changes

Marble

Expensive

High

Beautiful styles
Water resistant
Heat resistant

Stains easily
Scratches easily
Limited styles

Concrete

Moderate

Moderate

Heat resistant
Scratch resistant
Unique styles

May crack
Limited finishes
Absorbs water

Granite is one of the most widely used types of kitchen countertop in the country today. It is also one of the most expensive types. Granite countertops can be made of solid slabs or lighter tiles. A countertop made of granite can be custom made or purchased as a modular set. The appearance of a granite countertop is beautiful and each countertop is unique due to the properties of the stone being used.

Another commonly used type of kitchen countertop is the countertop made from engineered stone. This is stone that is created by the manufacturer, which retains many of the properties of natural stone. In order to compare kitchen countertops made of engineered stone to other types of kitchen countertops, it is important to note that engineered stone is considered one of the hardest materials used in the manufacture of kitchen countertops.

Solid surface countertops are a seamless creation that is custom made for your home. Because of the manufacturing process used to create the solid surface countertop, these types of countertops can be a little pricey, but they last for a long time and are very durable. Solid surface countertops come in a wide variety of colors and styles so the homeowner can more easily match them to their existing décor.

If the homeowner wants to compare kitchen countertops for do-it-yourself projects, ceramic tile countertops and laminate countertops seem to be the easiest types of kitchen countertop for the homeowner to prepare themselves. Both types come in many different colors and designs making them easily customizable to the wishes of the homeowner. For custom countertops, the homeowner also has the choice of wooden, stainless steel, marble or concrete countertops. These types of countertops are seen much less often than the countertop types previously discussed. The properties of each different type of kitchen countertop will help the homeowner make the decision of which type of countertop is best for them.