So it's out with the old countertops and in with the new countertops. In our last blog post, we discussed your options when deciding on what the scope of your kitchen renovation will be based on three different budget levels. Now we're going to cover what your options are when picking out new countertops. To help you determine which material will suit your specific needs, here are the most popular countertop surfaces and their pros and cons.

Laminate: made from paper layers, fabric and resins.

Pros - Inexpensive; easy to install; won't stain; good for medium traffic areas.
Cons - Shows seams; vulnerable to high heat and water damage; can scratch; can't be repaired.

Quartz: engineered stone made from resins, chips and pigments.

Pros - Won't stain; won't scratch; heat-resistant; good for high traffic areas; comes in many colors and patterns.
Cons - Sharp edges can chip at impact; appearance can look unnatural and uniform.

Granite: natural stone.

Pros - Heat resistant; won't scratch; good for high traffic areas; appears unique and natural; comes in several variations and colors.
Cons - Requires periodic sealing for protection against stains.

Marble: natural stone.

Pros - Heat resistant; scratches can be polished out; good for medium traffic areas; colors and variation offer traditional look.
Cons - Requires periodic sealing; requires specific cleaners; can nick and chip easily.

Wood: Butcher block.
Pros - Good for light traffic; nice surface to work on.
Cons - Can scratch; difficult to clean.

Recycled Glass: made from shards of recycled glass.
Pros - Heat-resistant; good cutting surface; won't scratch.
Cons - Stains easily; weak at impact.

Solid Surfaces: made from polyester or acrylic resins and mineral fillers.
Pros - Some stain resistance; some scratch resistance; some impact resistance.
Cons - Not heat-resistant; can scratch.

Soapstone: natural stone.
Pros - Won't stain; heat-resistant; scratches easy but removable.
Cons - High maintenance; chips at impact.

Concrete: natural stone.
Pros - Very little scratching; some heat-resistance.
Cons - Stains easily; breaks at impact.

If you decide you want to go with durable and beautiful natural stone, visit one of the Marble and Granite showrooms in Milford, Connecticut or Westwood, Massachusetts for the largest selection of granite, marble, Caesarstone and soapstone in New England. We also offer the latest advancements in all-natural surfaces such as the ceramic Sinterlite Slabs by TheSize. Come in and explore your natural stone options.

 

Sources: Consumer Reports and Elle Decor.
Photo by Bob Narod via Kitchens.com (kitchen design by Savena Doychinov, CKD).