Kitchen Countertop Materials: Which Material is Best for Your Kitchen?

Are you thinking about remodeling your kitchen? In order to make your kitchen remodel a success, you have to get the right kitchen countertops. 

With so many choices in the market, it’s challenging to decide which are the right ones. 

Read on for more on the different types of kitchen countertop materials.

Granite

Granite has been a popular material for kitchen countertops due to its elegance, resistance, and variety of colors.

This type of countertop can make even the simplest of kitchens look luxurious. 

Granite has many pros such as:

  • Over 3,000 different colors available
  • Heat resistant 
  • Durable and strong
  • Will add value to your home
  • Very little maintenance needed

The cons are:

  • Some slabs have imperfections
  • Expensive
  • Sealing is required to avoid stains
  • Cracks will happen if not properly installed
  • Knives will get dulled on the granite

Keep granite in mind is you’re willing to spend money on a durable material that will add value to your home.

Marble

Marble is another type of stone to consider when you’re looking for a kitchen countertop. Although this stone is quite popular, no two sheets are the same. So it will always feel like you have a unique kitchen. 

Marble is quite expensive so many people don’t have it installed in their entire kitchens. Some only install it on their islands or limited sections of the kitchen.

The pros are:

  • No two slabs are the same
  • Heatproof and waterproof
  • Will add value to your home

The cons are:

  • Marble is expensive
  • A sealant is required
  • Not for DIY jobs
  • Scratches easily
  • Difficult to mend and repair

If you plan on doing a lot of heavy-duty cooking, marble might not be the right choice. Make sure you use the right materials to clean it.

Quartz

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Quartz is a type of stone that is artificially engineered using quartz particles and other materials to shape the slab.

This countertop is available in many different colors and looks. Since it’s not porous, it will resist stains and scratches.

The pros:

The cons:

  • Expensive

Although many might find quartz expensive, the benefits are worth it in the long run.

Soapstone

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Soapstone is a countertop material that often gets overlooked. Although it has been mostly been used in historic homes in the past, more modern kitchens now have soapstone countertops. 

Soapstone has a natural gray look, and it also has a smooth silky feel. As the soapstone ages, the distressed look can add to the look of the kitchen.

This countertop material is quite resistant to stains, but it will get scratched over time.

The pros are:

  • Has an antique look
  • Rich color
  • Stain resistant
  • Sanding it will get rid of scratches
  • Heat resistant

The cons are:

  • Must use mineral oil
  • It will get dark over time
  • Not for DIY projects
  • Easily scratched

Make sure if you get soapstone, you use a cutting board to prevent stains. If you take care of soapstone, it will last a long time. 

Best Kitchen Countertop Materials

There are no perfect kitchen countertop materials. You have to decide which type of material is right for your budget and your needs.

You can pick from quartz, marble, soapstone, and granite.

Want more design ideas for your kitchen? Check out this article on how to create a kitchen cabinet layout.