Countertop Material Options
Whether you’re renovating a kitchen or bathroom, you have to choose from different kinds of countertops. Which one should you choose? So many different countertop material options with different price range and qualities. Below are the pros and cons among the popular choices of countertop materials:
Butcher block
This countertop is made of wood with different color and grains to choose. It is natural and beautiful, also has a warm look and feel as well compare to stones, tiles or concrete. While it’s a budget friendly material, this type of countertop also soft compare to stones or concrete, therefore it is easily damaged. Wood is also porous, make sure it is sealed properly and not letting any water sits around and seap into the wood.
Concrete
While butcher block gives warm look to the room, concrete is the opposite of it.It looks modern and unique. It is also a hard surface, so it’s not easily damaged but still, you have to seal it every 1-3 years.
Granite
The most common and popular choice is granite. The grain/pattern looks like an artwork and the more of it,the more expensive it is. It is heat resistant but it is porous. You don’t have to worry of putting hot pan on it but it may absorb tea, coffee or wine therefore make sure it is sealed properly. But granite is actually porous.. Some treated granite can last 10 years without being resealed but most of them has to be resealed every year.
Marble
Just like granite, it is beautiful, elegant, heat resistant and it absorbs stain easily if it’s not sealed properly. It is more porous than granite. It is also easily scratched and chipped, so be careful of using sharp knives or heavy pots and pans. Marble is also expensive. Ooo my,….this doesn’t sound like a good option at all.
Crushed/Recycled Glass
Finally, something non-porous, unique and beautiful. Both acrylic and concrete crushed glass countertops are non porous so they are easy to clean. But again, the concrete crush glass has to be sealed properly to make the concrete part stain resistant. It is pretty strong but if too much weight it still might crack. Also anything that contains high acid like tomato or harsh cleaners can actually ruin the acrylic if left forgotten on the counter.
Slate
Slate is non-porous and heat resistant. Sounds very good already. It is also very durable,strong, not easily chip. I think the downside is it doesn’t have too many choices of colors and it has masculine look, I, myself, am not a fan of the way it looks.
Quartz
This contemporary man-made/engineered stone is my favorite material. It doesn’t have too much grain/pattern like granite, non-porous, durable and low maintenance. It is pretty pricey and not as heat resistant as granite or concrete, so be careful when putting a hot pan or heating tool on it.
So, which one would you choose??