Kitchen Countertop Materials – A Feature Comparison

As the kitchen is typically the busiest room in the home, selecting the best kitchen countertop among all of the options available on the market today can be challenging. You’ll want it to be attractive and easy to clean as well as stain-resistant and durable. Learn more about countertop materials in this video:

Let’s take a closer look at different kitchen countertop materials and the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Granite is a smooth, durable natural stone that provides a rich visual texture and comes is a range of colors. When treated and properly sealed, it resists bacteria and stains. Granite is highly heat-resistant and works well for baking preparations. This type of countertop, however, has visible seams and can split if the vein is stressed. Because it is porous, it must be sealed on a yearly basis to maintain bacteria and stain resistance.

Laminate is a sheeting that is glued down to a particle board or plywood substrate. It is durable and water resistant, very easy to clean and maintain, and comes in many different style and color options. Laminate is easy to install and gives you the best “bang for the buck”. It is inappropriate for cutting, however, and has visible seams and edges.

Quartz is nonporous and has more consistent colors and patterns than natural stone. It is resistant to bacteria, heat, scratches, stains and water and is easy to clean. On the flip side, color selection is limited, and once scratched is difficult to repair. Quartz, like laminate and granite, also has the problem of visible seams.

Acrylic is a nonporous material that is easy to sand and provides integral sink and backsplash options. It is resistant to bacteria, stains and water, available in a range of patterns and colors, and is virtually seamless, allowing easy cleaning. Acrylic is less heat-resistant than granite of quartz and more susceptible to scratching.

You are not restricted to using the same type of countertop material throughout your kitchen. For example, you can have laminate or acrylic around the sink to allow for easy cleaning and stone near the range area to accommodate hot pans and pots. Combinations of kitchen countertop materials are a more expensive option but will give you the “best of both worlds” in terms of easy maintenance and functionality.