Kitchen Counter Materials Guide.
When it comes to kitchen countertops, you have many options to choose from. Often this wide range of choices leaves us even more confused. How do you select the perfect material for your kitchen countertop? Firstly, your purpose should be your primary deciding factor. If you want something solid and durable, you’ll have to go with certain materials. If visual appeal is your primary concern, there is a range of other materials. Some are in the sweet spot between performance and aesthetics. Let’s have a detailed look at some of the common materials for kitchen countertops and how they can fit into your kitchen space.
Granite
Granite is a classic in countertops. Granite speaks luxury and sophistication. No synthetic material can match the visual and tactile glamour of granite. To top all of that, granite is essentially maintenance-free. However, it would be best if you got your granite countertops sealed to forget about their maintenance practically.
Marble
The natural material that comes right after granite in countertops is marble. Marble is visually as stunning as granite but has a more relaxed, fresh aesthetic. Granite speaks not only of sophistication but also of attention to detail. The best thing about granite is that no two slabs are identical. So you never run the risk of unintentionally making your kitchen look like any ordinary kitchen.
Quartz
Quartz is engineered with up to 93% quartz particles along with other materials. They’re formed into blocks and are resin-bound. These aren’t solid quartz blocks quarried from the earth. Instead, think of quartz as an enhancement upon marble and quartz to improve its performance. Since quartz slabs are engineered, they are flawless in texture and other aspects. The only probable downside to quartz is that they do not reflect the natural, often rugged, charm of granite or marble.
Ceramic
Ceramic is for those who want complete control over how their kitchen looks. It comes with the unique ability to be customized as you wish. There are thousands of ceramic styles, shapes, designs, and textures to choose from. The downside of ceramic is the lack of effortless sophistication of the material. However, it can be dealt with by selecting styles and designs you know will compliment your kitchen space.
Hardwood
Hardwood for kitchen countertops is not for everyone. It is for those who are willing to step into the unconventional and discover their personal aesthetic. Oak and maple are extensively used in kitchen countertops. Wood countertops need maintenance; there is no running away from the fact. However, if maintenance is not a big deal, probably no other material can balance ruggedness with sophistication better than hardwood.
