Whether you are buying a new home and need to design a new kitchen, or are looking to renovate your current kitchen, picking the right countertop can help improve the overall look of the room. When picking out the perfect countertop, the most common material used is either granite or quartz. However, with the wide range of products on the market, it is sometimes difficult to decide on which to choose for your kitchen. While some products may be considered the best value for money, there are many benefits to others that should factor into making your decision. Ultimately, picking between the right countertop is a decision made for what material matches your design, lifestyle and budget. Here is a look at some of the most popular materials for your countertop to choose from.
While quartz is a fairly new material on the market, it is durable and often does not have some of the problems, both aesthetically and in fitting that natural stone does. Quartz is an engineered stone that is available in a wider range of colours than natural stone. It is resistant to stains because it is a non-porous material but one of the biggest concerns consumers have is the cost.
Concrete countertops have been increasing in popularity because of new colour and staining techniques that allow a high level of customization and their durability. However concrete countertops are often costly and need to be resealed ever 1-3 years.
Alternatively, slate countertops are a good choice as well because they are low maintenance, have a non-porous surface, are durable and are aesthetically beautiful. They offer a more uniform appearance than granite, marble or concrete and are a more adorable alternative. However slate countertops can be brittle and sharp if the corners are not rounded off properly.
For a more contemporary look, crushed glass countertops are an ecofriendly option as they are often referred to as recycled glass countertops. They are either embedded in concrete or encased in a durable acrylic material and are quite eye catching. They are durable, non-porous and often admired for their mosaic look. They are, unfortunately, quite expensive and have a limit to the amount of weight they can hold.
A more traditional option is soapstone renowned for its natural appearance and offers a great degree of versatility in design. It is also quite durable, very non-porous and is easy to clean. In addition, it only requires periodic oiling for aesthetic reasons. However, because of its soft texture it can scratch or chip.
Granite countertops are made from giant chunks of natural stone that are quarried and then cut and polished into the desired countertop shape. Granite countertops are excavated directly from the earth allowing them to keep their natural colour intact and have naturally occurring variances in the stone and are extremely durable. However they need to be sealed annually to remain stain resistance, have visible seams and lack colour consistency because they are a natural material.
Check out these before and after kitchen photos of some of our kitchen renovation projects. Drop by a MR Kitchens showroom today to speak to a designer about your dream kitchen!