Remodel Kitchen & Bath

The New Materials Make Kitchen Countertop Choices Exciting

Kitchen countertops of granite use the material of choice when it comes to preference providing cost is no object. Since cost is a major factor for most of us we need to consider the alternatives.  In descending order of preference after granite, the materials most choose would be engineered stone, solid plastic surfaces, ceramic tile, laminates, wood including butcher block, stainless steel, soapstone, marble and concrete.

Engineered stone is 93% quartz. It comes in more shades than granite and the non-porous surface is scratch resistant. It is less maintenance needy not requiring sealing on an annual basis. The best known brands are: DuPont Zodiaq®, LG Viatera®, Cambria Quartz, and Silestone®. Unfortunately they are only a little cheaper than granite.

The best known among the solid surfaces are Avonite, Corian, and Swanstone. They are susceptible to hot pans and stains. Scratches can be sanded out to a degree but deep cuts can be a problem if they are not treated with care.

Ceramic tile is cheaper and easy to install. It can take hot pans and is easy to clean. Price, color, texture and design cover a wide range. Against it is the fact that the counter surface is uneven. The tiles can easily chip or crack and the grouting can become stained.

The laminate brands best known are Formica, Nevamar, and Wilsonart. The smooth surfaces are easy to clean. Wide color choice. They are easy to maintain, are durable and inexpensive. Chips and scratches are impossible to repair.The seams show.

Wood countertops offer a beautiful warm look and are available in a wide range of colors and finishes. Hardwoods such as maple and oak are most often used as countertop woods. They are easy to clean. They are smooth and can be sanded and resealed. Water and stains do develop over time. Scratches must be oiled.

Stainless Steel looks very contemporary. Heat resistant and durable. It will take hot pans and is easy to clean. It's expensive and noisy. Does dent and you can't cut on it.

Soapstone is also often used in historic homes but has appeared in a number of modern homes lately. Has a rich, deep color. It is smooth and somewhat stain resistant but does require regular maintenance.

Marble is not often seen due to it's high price. Can be used effectively on an island or inset. It requires constant maintenance, as it easily stains although there are some new sealers on the market which will help resist staining.
It is waterproof, heatproof; lovely and expensive. Surprisingly, it is  porous and stains easily.

When it comes to a final choice, consult your contractor and discuss his experience with the various materials he has used.  Ask for customer references where you can go to the home involved and discuss the customer's experience with the material and with the contractor and his crew. This is time consuming and complicated but well worth your time.