What Are the Best Kitchen Countertops for Your Remodel?

If you’re planning to start a luxurious remodeling project for your kitchen in the near future, you’ll need to make important decisions about what this space should look and feel like. One of the critical choices when it comes to designing this space is choosing the right countertop. This installation takes up a significant portion of your kitchen’s visual area and is also essential for establishing the space’s functionality. To ensure you’re using suitable countertop materials in your remodeling project, you may want to consider speaking with professional kitchen designers in your local area.

Selecting a countertop for your kitchen isn’t as simple as looking at the price tags and installation costs. There are plenty of options when it comes to choosing building materials, with benefits and drawbacks of each design type that can affect your decision. In this article, we’ll cover the basic pros and cons of the popular kitchen countertop materials and discuss some of the trends you’ll want to avoid to ensure your kitchen offers timeless functionality and visual appeal for years to come.

Marble Countertops

If you’re planning to install a luxurious new countertop for your kitchen, marble is probably one of the first building materials you’ll consider. The color, veining, and overall functionality of these countertops are tough to match, and as a result, marble has become a premier choice for classic and contemporary designs alike. However, it’s a material that’s not without its drawbacks. Compared with other comparable materials at the same price point, it can be significantly more challenging to maintain.

If you’re looking at purchasing a marble countertop for your kitchen, there are a few things you should know before you buy. First, your marble countertop will need to be sealed regularly- approximately once every year- a process that can take homeowners a better part of the day. Because it’s a natural stone material, its quality can vary in certain kitchen areas, particularly in terms of visual cohesiveness.

Marble countertops are generally the highest-priced option on the market, though they pay homeowners back by adding incredible value to the home. Costs vary from 75 to 200 dollars per square foot. If you look after your marble countertop with care, it can last for more than a hundred years. In many ways, marble is an investment in your kitchen’s future.

Granite and Other Natural Stone Materials

Granite countertops are durable scratch and heat-resistant surfaces that bring natural visuals into the home. Along with its other natural stone counterparts, the granite surface is incredibly high-durability considering the cost, which is usually somewhere in the range of 50 dollars per square foot. Color options are flexible, though not in the same way as other similar products. Granite surfaces tend to be darker and less ornate than materials such as marble. As a result, they are usually a better choice for a traditional kitchen design rather than a contemporary or modern one.

Quartzite vs. Quartz

While quartz and quartzite might sound like similar products, they are in fact radically different surface materials. Quartz is a manufactured product, similar to engineered stone. The durability of this material is high, and the surface does not require regular sealing. As a result, it’s a popular choice for homeowners seeking a colorful countertop that still looks timeless. The design flexibility of the quartz product allows it to fit within any design style.

Unlike quartz, quartzite is a natural stone material. As a result, its appearance is more in keeping with the basic principles of timeless kitchen design. The material is formed from a mixture of sandstone and natural quartz so that it’s both scratch and heat resistant. It’s also significantly more expensive than the quartz countertop. Many luxury kitchen designers recommend quartzite for modern or contemporary styles. The product is also considerably easier to source than the likes of marble and granite.

Wood (Butcher’s Block) Countertops

Wood countertops offer a distinctive, European flair to the kitchen that’s both timeless and visually appealing. In terms of cost, wood countertops are significantly more affordable than products such as marble and quartzite. However, the durability of the product isn’t quite at the same level as natural stone, particularly in terms of heat and water resistance. Wood countertops are usually best for homeowners that don’t do as much cooking and use the kitchen primarily as an entertaining or living space. Before you purchase one of these countertops, you’ll need to make sure that the product can meet the demands of your lifestyle.

Solid Surface and Laminate Countertops

Two of the trendiest items in kitchen design are also two of the cheapest countertop options. Solid surface and laminate countertops are generally inexpensive options for upgrading the visual appeal of your space. Most of the time, you can install these products without professional support. However, the benefits of these countertop materials stop there. Laminate, in particular, is cheap in terms of durability and lasting value. While it might seem like a good idea to save a bit of money by buying this product, it’s usually better to invest in the future of your kitchen by selecting a natural or engineered stone countertop instead.

Conclusion- What Are the Best Kitchen Countertops for Your Remodel?

When it comes to remodeling your kitchen, you’ll need to make quite a few critical design decisions. One of these key choices is selecting the countertop material and color that best matches your design preferences as well as your budget. If you’re not quite sure which product is right for you, consider speaking with a kitchen design expert. If you’re ready to make the ultimate upgrade to your kitchen, you should consider speaking with an award-winning kitchen design firm and visiting their showroom.