The countertop is the workhorse of the kitchen. It needs to be strong. It needs to be durable. And it needs to be beautiful. But with SO many choices, how do you know which one is right for your kitchen?
How Many Types of Countertops Are There?
We’ve listed 12 here in our comprehensive – but not exhaustive – list. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of each of them.
Natural Stone Countertops
Natural stone’s elegance brings a richness to the kitchen. Depending on the color and patterns they can add either a coolness or warmth to the overall kitchen design. All of the natural stones share characteristics, to varying degrees, which are considerations for their use. A major consideration is their weight, which may require reinforcement of cabinets and even the floor. While they tend toward the luxury end of the cost spectrum, when well cared for natural stone has a long lifespan, is may be repairable and can develop a lovely patina.
Quartz
Quartz countertops are fabricated from engineered stone. Crushed quartz and other minerals are added to resin or plastic to form the material. They are approximately 90% natural stone and 10% synthetic substance.
Pros: Strong, durable, non-porous/resistant to stains, and can be fabricated in a wide variety of colors and patterns.
Cons: Can be damaged by harsh cleansers and is only moderately heat resistant.
Quartzite:
Not to be confused with quartz, quartzite is 100% natural stone. Although mostly made of quartz, because of the way quartzite is formed in the earth, other minerals are compressed into the stone to create unique colors and patterns. No two slabs of quartzite are identical.
Pros: Strong, durable, and heat resistant.
Cons: Requires regular sealing for resistance to stains.
Granite
Granite is a byproduct of volcanic activity, created as magma cools. Therefore, no two slabs of granite are alike. And because there is volcanic activity around the globe, granite from different parts of the world will vary in color as a result of the mineral composition of each locale. Common terms associated with granite are slab and prefabricated. Both are 100% natural stone. Prefabricated simply means it has been cut into standard sizes, which may make it more affordable.
Pros: Highly durable, strong, and heat resistant.
Cons: Requires regular sealing for resistance to stains.
Soapstone
The talc in soapstone gives it its slick feel – or “soapiness.” Hence the name. It is one of the more expensive of the natural stones. Colors in the gray color range are most common. Blue and green overtones, black and even white are also found, but are rarer and therefore more expensive. It is considered soft, relative to other natural stones and can be prone to scratches. However, these countertops can be sanded, and are well loved for the patina they develop.
Pros: Strong, durable, and heat and stain resistant.
Cons: Prone to scratches and should be oiled regularly.
Marble
Like other natural stone, marble is produced when minerals in the ground are subject to pressure and heat over time. The resulting colors and veining patterns give marble its unique and luxurious appearance. It is available in wide variety of colors that reflect the location of the quarry. Marble is favored by bakers because it remains cool regardless of ambient room temperature, making it ideal for rolling dough.
Pros: Strong, durable and has moderate heat resistance.
Cons: Porous and prone to staining and etching. Requires regular sealing.
If natural stone doesn’t appeal to you, there are many other options to choose from!
More Countertop Options
There is a wide range of other countertop choices to suit every design style and budget.
Laminate
In short, laminate countertops begin with paper. Layers of paper are saturated with melamine resin and compressed. A decorative layer – an image – is then applied and the whole thing is cured in an oven. The laminate is glued to particle board or medium density fiber board to form the countertop. Because the top layer is essentially a picture, laminate can mimic stone or wood. Laminate is available in a plethora of designs and colors. And like so many other technologies, today’s laminate is a far cry from its predecessors. It is the most affordable option for countertops. Installation is fairly uncomplicated so it can be accomplished by experienced DIYers.
Pros: Affordability, wide choice of patterns and colors, and easy to maintain.
Cons: Average 15-year lifespan (of best quality) before daily use takes its toll in appearance. Not repairable. No heat resistance.
Butcher Block
Butcher Block countertops are constructed by gluing rails of wood together to form a solid sheet. Terms associated with this construction are blended, edge grain and end grain. Maple, red oak, beech, walnut and cherry are frequent choices, but many other choices are available. These woods add warmth to kitchen design. Typically, this selection is more expensive than laminate, but less expensive than natural stone. Like laminate, butcher block can be installed by experienced DIYers.
Pros: Strong and durable, versatile, and can be refinished.
Cons: High maintenance if food-grade oil finish is selected, although they can also be finished with water-resistant products. Will dry out and crack if not oiled or sealed. Easily stained if not sealed with a permanent sealer. Not heat resistant.
Concrete
Concrete countertops are having a moment. Their popularity has seen an uptick of late. Concrete can be colored and objects such as pieces of colored glass can be embedded for a unique finish. Like natural stone, concrete is heavy so may require reinforcement of cabinets and possibly floors to support the weight. It may be counterintuitive that a material as pedestrian as concrete is not inexpensive to install. While it is labor and time intensive, these can be fabricated and installed by accomplished DIYers.
Pros: Strong, durable with proper maintenance, versatile, and repairable
Cons: Prone to chipping and staining and require regular maintenance for sealing.
Solid surface
Solid surface countertops are created from minerals, bonding resin, and pigments. They are the same material throughout the piece. While they don’t have the depth, for example, they do a fair job of mimicking granite. Cultured marble falls into this category as well. Today’s solid surface countertops are not those of the 1990s! There are a wide range of colors and patterns to choose from and they are priced nicely between laminate and granite. As a result, industry experts are noting a resurgence in interest.
Pros: Durable, non-porous, seams are practically invisible and repairs are fairly easy.
Cons: Only moderately heat resistant and are soft compared to other surfaces so can be scratched.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is best known for restaurant kitchen surfaces. It is strong, durable and easy to keep clean and sanitized. It can be prefabricated or custom and will be priced accordingly. Generally speaking, it is more expensive than laminate, wood or solid surface, but less expensive than concrete or natural stone.
Pros: Heat, stain and water resistant.
Cons: Can be noisy and is prone to scratches and dents.
Recycled Glass
Recycled glass countertops are made by combining pre- and/or post-consumer recycled glass with resin, epoxy or concrete. The result is sustainable, environmentally friendly and unique material with which to fabricate countertops. They vary from wildly creative to subtle beauty. Like natural stone and concrete countertops, they are quite heavy and may require reinforcement of cabinets and floors. While not the most expensive option, they are not inexpensive either.
Pros: Durable, non-porous when the base is acrylic, and low-maintenance.
Cons: Require sealing when the base is concrete, acrylic base not impervious to acids, and some criticism of using concrete as a base as it contributes to greenhouse gasses.
Tile
Tile countertops had their heyday in the 1970s and 80s.The wide variety of tile in the marketplace allows homeowners to infuse personal style in a way perhaps unachievable with other materials. Like many things old that are new again, there is a wave of nostalgic interest in using tile on horizontal kitchen surfaces once again.
Pros: Inexpensive relative to other materials, heat resistant and stain resistant if glazed, and lend itself to DIY.
Cons: Bumpy surface and difficult to keep grout looking clean.
Choosing Your Countertop
Budget obviously plays a role in determining which countertop is right for you. But there are other considerations as well. The size of the kitchen and how it’s used factor into the decision as well. For example, if there is a baker in the mix, using a marble for a baking workspace somewhere, but not everywhere, can be an option. There is no rule that says you can only have one type of material. A coffee bar could be the area to showcase a fun and creative tile application. Islands are a great place for a statement piece.
A professional kitchen designer is the best resource for assistance with making these decisions. Their experience and insight is invaluable in making all the pieces work together. This is true whether you’re simply replacing the countertops or doing a full remodel.
8 Types of Countertops: How to Choose the Best Countertop for Your Kitchen
