Countertops are one of the most used features in the average home. Most people think of countertops as being only in the kitchen, but they can be placed all throughout your home- in your bathrooms, outdoors on your patio, or even lining your bookshelves. Choosing a timeless countertop that you love the look of, but is also realistic for your lifestyle is key when designing your custom home. There are plenty of materials to choose from, each with different pros and cons to each. Ensuring that you choose the right material for you takes just a bit of comparison.
Granite seems to be the most popular choice for several reasons. It is considered a luxury material, comes in plenty of different colors, and is known to be durable over a long period of time.
Being a natural material, it needs to be taken care of in order to keep it at it’s best. Granite is porous and must be properly sealed to prevent any cracking or absorption. All the same, it still needs to be oiled once a year and cleaned on the daily to prevent it from absorbing anything left behind. In humid climates, granite is more susceptible to molding than any other countertop material.
On the upside, as an organic material, each slab of granite is completely unique in pattern and stands strong against heat and staining.
Laminate, also known as Formica, is a well-known alternative to granite. This is a synthetic material with a plastic-like coating over top to create a smooth finish. Being man-made, it is available in a wide range of colors and patterns to fit any style. It is an inexpensive option that is easy to maintain and doesn’t require any special upkeep. Yet, it is not scratch proof and poses the possibility of becoming damaged.
Marble is regarded as a high-end material; people love the delicate, understated patterns and the romantic homage to the Roman art this stone was made popular by. Marble comes in two main types- Calcutta, white with taupe, and Carrera, white with gray, both varying in vein patterns and offering undertones of blue, green, pink, black and more.
This countertop material is waterproof and heat resistant, but not without some care. Like granite, marble is porous and is known to stain easily, so it must be resealed often. Out of all the natural materials, it is most likely the chip, dent or scratch.
Quartz is another extremely popular countertop choice. Quartz is manufactured, meaning it doesn’t come in as many natural veined patterns like granite or marble. However, it is known to be highly customizable.
This material is a low maintenance choice, only requiring the occasional wipe down when it comes to upkeep. It is stain resistant and durable like granite, but doesn’t require any sealing. Another upside is that it’s not a very porous material- meaning it is not as susceptible to mold, making it better suited for humid climates.
Though very dependable, quartz can be known to suffer from damage due to heat over time if homeowners aren’t careful.
When choosing your next countertop, be sure and weigh the upsides and downsides in relation to your lifestyle- particularly the maintenance and durability that comes with each material. If you’re unsure of what would best fit your family, reach out to us through the Contact Us page on our website. We would love to talk to you regarding any questions you may have about your options!