The Best Kitchen Countertop Materials, According to Home Builders

For the past 20 years or so, granite has actually reigned supreme as the most popular option for countertop products in houses. However, in the last few years, a brand-new competitor has emerged: quartz. But, putting patterns and popularity aside, which countertops in fact do the very best task, year in and year out? To discover, we talked with two house builders about the very best countertop products in terms of sturdiness, maintenance, and visual appeals. Keep reading for their insights:

Note: While we broke the choices down into price levels, it’s worth noting that a lot of products– especially stone– can range wildly in price. For our purposes, we’re focusing on typical expenses.

Entry-level
Laminate
Laminate is an excellent alternative to wood floor covering, so why not consider it for your countertops, too? Patti Guthrie, vice president of ARH Interiors at Arthur Rutenberg Residences in Clearwater, Florida, said the product is an excellent, low-cost option.

” [Laminate is] a fairly low-maintenance option to more costly granite, stone, and solid-surface countertops,” she stated. “Lots of laminates offer a range of designs that simulate more costly surfaces such as granite or quartz.”

Nevertheless, one failure is that laminate scratches easily and is not heat resistant.
Wood or butcher block
If you want something a little more expensive than laminate however not as costly as stone, Guthrie recommends wood or butcher block counters, which fit nicely into the fashionable modern-day farmhouse visual. Wood counters need proper upkeep, consisting of regular oiling, otherwise, they’ll break and look dull. Guthrie also keeps in mind that, like laminate, wood and butcher-block surface areas scratch easily.
Ceramic Tile
Guthrie states another economical choice is ceramic tile, which is made from pressed clays and finished with a glaze. It’s usually resistant to heat, water, and staining– if sealed correctly. Nevertheless, the grout lines in between tiles will get unclean over time and require cleaning every now and then, she states.

Mid-range
Granite
As mentioned, stone countertops like granite differ in cost, depending upon the type you choose.

” This product can vary in rates from $50 to $80 per square foot to quickly in the hundreds of dollars per square foot for exotic slabs,” Guthrie states.

However, in advance expense might be a terrific financial investment. Granite is generally thought about good value, states Sean D. Sullivan, president of Living Stone Design+ Build in Black Mountain, North Carolina.

” Granite is still a strong choice since it holds up well to heat and spots,” he states. “It is also a widespread product, so that keeps it economical.”

Resilience and no-frills maintenance are a huge part of granite’s appeal. Another benefit? It is available in a range of colors and patterns to fit any style.
Corian
A composite of acrylic polymer and alumina trihydrate, Corian is ending up being more common for countertops, Guthrie states. It’s available in a diverse range of colors, is simple to maintain, and is very long-lasting.

” [Corian counter tops] are understood for their seamless setup, and they have the capability to incorporate sinks and backsplashes,” she states.

High-End
Quartz
Quartz (made from ground quartz stone integrated with polyester resins and pigments) is ending up being progressively popular as a countertop product, especially for those who find granite passé.

” Given that quartz is a manufactured product, it has a more constant appearance and is for that reason more contemporary in surface, interesting today’s purchaser,” Sullivan stated.

While it varies in price, quartz is, usually, more pricey than granite. However, its advantages are many: To begin with, thanks to its resin content, quartz is non-porous and doesn’t require sealing, Guthrie states.

” Its texture does not enable germs, mold, or mildew to grow, and it withstands spots, which safeguards your household and makes kitchen clean-up extremely easy,” she says. “A fabric with warm soapy water is truly all you need to keep this countertop looking brand new.”

It’s known to be extremely strong and resilient, frequently enduring 10 to 15 years and in some cases even comes with a lifetime assurance from the producer, Sullivan says.

Plus, due to the fact that quartz is manufactured, it can be found in an unlimited range of colors, typically embellished with flecks of metal or recycled glass for included style, Guthrie says. You can even choose from numerous finishes, including matte, developed, leathered, and embossed.

Although wealthy homeowners may want the sophisticated appearance of marble, Sullivan does not advise it because it’s very expensive and high-maintenance since it’s a softer stone. Rather, he guides customers toward quartz with a marble look.