When it comes to choosing a material for a kitchen countertop, the first choice that comes to the mind is granite. Its longevity and durability makes it an ideal choice for heavily used surfaces, including the kitchen countertop. However, there are several other countertop options that will offer you the same quality as that of granite but at different prices.
Wood
Wood countertops are extremely durable. They come with a range of styling options. These countertop slabs can be made from different kinds of wood, but the most commonly used type is the butcher block. These wooden slabs will acquire a distinct patina as they wear. It will make them look even more stylish.
Soapstone
This natural stone is smooth and it offers a matte-like finish to the countertop surface. It is available in shades ranging from charcoal black to soft gray. It is heat and stain resistant and can be easily cleaned with a standard cleaner. When the Soapstone begins to wear you can use Mineral Oil to restore its shine.
Lava Stone
Lava stone is becoming an increasingly popular choice for kitchen countertops owing to its maintenance free properties. It is resistant to heat, cold and stains, and can make your kitchen countertop look clean and stylish for years on end.
Engineered Quartz
Unlike standard quartz countertops, engineered quartz is made of 95% natural quartz and 5% polymer resins. This provides a natural looking countertop that is super hard and low on maintenance. Engineered Quartz is available in several colors. It is also resistant to heat and scratches.
Concrete
Concrete countertops have become quite popular these days owing to several newly introduced coloring and staining techniques. New methods involve adding tiles, silicone chips or embedded stones to the concrete mix. It creates artistic countertops that come in a wide variety of shapes, size and color. Concrete countertops are not only heat and scratch resistant, but they are also durable.
Glass
Glass countertops are versatile and can be used in a wide range of artistic ways to make your kitchen countertop stand out. They are resistant to heat and are non -porous. They are also resistant to staining and they easily give a high-end and classy look to any kitchen countertop. Glass countertops come in different thicknesses from ¾ inches to 1 ¼ inches. The glass used for the purpose is first tempered and polished before being sent for edge finishing or banding which leads to the final product.
EcoTop
EcoTop countertops are becoming quite popular with eco-conscious homeowners these days. Made out of a combination of paper and bamboo, the material is resistant to both scratch and strain. It maintains its color for a long period and is extremely durable. Cleaning the surface requires nothing more than a soapy sponge. Thus, of all the countertop materials, this is the one that requires lowest maintenance.
Laminate
Not many homeowners know about the possibility of using laminate for kitchen countertops. While laminate may not have been considered as a good choice for a kitchen countertop back in the days, but the new range of laminate countertops is shedding stereotypes by offering a wide range of visually stunning finishes. Not only that, the new Laminate countertops are also resistant to heat and stains. In addition, they are very easy to clean and maintain.
Additional Mention: Solid surfaces
Solid surface countertops resemble natural stone countertops. But there’s a difference between them. Solid surface countertops are cheaper and they require lower maintenance. Another great advantage of solid surface countertops is that they can be created without any seams, which makes cleaning their surface very easy. In addition, solid surface looks very classy as kitchen countertop. And though they are not resistant to scratches, they are resistant to heat and moisture.
Summary
While granite is the most common material used for kitchen countertops, a range of other materials like glass, concrete, laminate and engineered quartz, etc. are being considered for the same purpose. Countertops crafted from these materials offer the same benefits as granite countertops but they offer them at different prices.
