Our Top 3 Countertop Selections for a Functional and Beautiful Kitchen
Studio McGee
Your countertops are one of the biggest investments you will make when updating your kitchen. Your countertops are also one of the most used and most visible surfaces in your kitchen, so it’s important to get this one right. When deciding on which countertop material is best for your home and your lifestyle, you will want to make sure your selection is not only pleasing to your eye and cohesive with other finishes in your home, but also performs well and stands the test of time.
There are many factors to consider when selecting the perfect material for your countertops:
Aesthetics - Whether you are drawn to the natural veining in a bold marble, or the consistent patterning found in quartz, aesthetics are often the top driver for your countertop choice.
Natural Vs. Engineered Stone - Engineered stone, such as quartz tends to be more stain resistant, but you won’t get the realistic, organic veining or depth of color and pattern that is unique in each piece of natural stone.
Durability and Cleanability - Is the material prone to cracking, scratching, staining? Quartz is durable and stain resistant, whereas marble is more vulnerable to scratching and staining.
Price - Quartz and granite can be similar in price depending on your selections, whereas quartzite and marble can be twice as expensive.
Maintenace - Is it a porous material that requires regular sealing? Natural stone is more porous than quartz and will require regular sealing.
Heat Resistance - Quartz is less heat resistant than natural stone. However, it is recommended that you us a pot trivet on any countertop surface, so this isn’t one of my top considerations for selecting a countertop material.
Keep reading to find out which 3 countertop materials we often recommend in our client’s homes and why…
Option #1: You Can't Go Wrong with Quartz
Quartz is a man-made combination of crushed stone, resin & pigment. Is it available in patterns that mimic marble, granite and concrete. Quartz is durable and stain resistant, easy to maintain and doesn’t need to be resealed. But the biggest advantage in my opinion is the endless color + pattern options that are available with quartz.
Quartz is a practical choice for busy families, typically at a lower price point than many natural stone products. But keep in mind there are various levels of quality when it comes to quartz, and some of the higher end quartz products are comparable in cost to natural stone.
Biggest disadvantage of quartz: it doesn’t have the organic, unique patterning, depth of color and veining that you get from natural stone. It also isn’t as heat resistant as natural stone.
Grey quartzite slab with gold veining
Option #2: Invest in Quality with Quartzite
Quartzite: not to be confused with quartz. Quartzite is a natural stone that is gaining popularity among countertop materials today. It is similar to the properties of granite - durable and heat resistant. But it doesn’t have the busy patterning often found in granite. Each slab is unique with beautiful veining, similar to that of marble. Quartzite is more resistant to stains and scratches than marble, only needing to be resealed every 5 years.
Biggest disadvantage of quartzite: price - it can be twice the cost of quartz.
Option #3: Fall Madly in Love with Luxurious Marble
Marble is a great choice when looking for a luxurious, show stopping material for your countertops. Marble is a beautiful, natural, heat-resistant stone. The organic free flowing patterns and bold veining found in marble can become the statement piece that elevates your home. Often marble is selected by those who appreciates its aging patina and timeless beauty.
Marble is a more porous stone, making it more prone to staining. Keep in mind however, marble can be refinished, and regular sealing can help significantly to prevent staining.
Biggest Disadvantage of Marble: Vulnerable to stains & scratching and can be two or three times more expensive than quartz, depending on which product you choose.
Quartz, quartzite and marble are all excellent choices when it comes to your kitchen countertops. In my opinion, you really can’t go wrong with any of these options - it often becomes a decision on what works best with your lifestyle, what aesthetic you are looking to achieve…and of course, price.
Ready to transform your outdated kitchen, or just make a few simple updates? You’ll love our complimentary kitchen refresh guide.
See you soon,
Reanna
