Perhaps the most important feature in the home, the focal point of the kitchen and the choice with limitless options – the countertops. In the whole process of home building or remodeling, you have dozens of choices to make, one of which is the type of countertop you want in your kitchen. All with different appeals and different styles, when given the choice between marble, quartz, and granite, you may not know where to start. Let’s take a look at each and talk about what might be right for you.
Choosing the Right Material For Your Countertop
What works for you and your household may not work for others. That’s why it’s extremely important to take your needs into careful consideration when choosing your countertop. The options for countertops seem to be growing every day, with new trends like butcher block and stainless steel becoming popular choices. The classic and most popular surfaces still stand as marble, quartz, and granite. Let’s take a look at some of the features of these materials to guide you in choosing your dream countertops.
Granite Countertops
Granite is by far the most popular choice for countertops and likely will continue to be so for the foreseeable future. Its versatile and timeless design stands the test of decades. Granite countertops are cut from natural stone, sealed, and installed. Their highly durable material and finish make them virtually indestructible. Granite comes in two forms: slab and prefabricated. Buying a granite slab is ideal for highly customized kitchens that have intricate features, cutouts or formations. Prefabricated granite comes precut to fit home countertops for a one-size-fits-all approach. Buying fabricated tends to be cheaper. Beyond this, there are dozens of colors and styles of granite to choose from, with varying grade, thickness, porosity, etc.
Pros
- Durable & heat-resistant
- Holds its value
- Unique
Cons
- heavy
- Requires maintenance
Marble Countertops
Now instead of bring used for deity honoring monuments, it is filling our kitchens and bathrooms with a sleek, classic glow. The elegant veining of marble is the biggest draw and with numerous styles and varieties, each piece is unlike any other. Marble is slightly less durable than granite because it is more porous, meaning it requires frequent sealing. Marble is also more expensive, on average $25/sqft more expensive than granite.
Pros
- Timeless
- Many color options
Cons
- Not heat resistants
- Manufactured, not natural
Quartz Countertops
Quartz is unique in that is is real stone, processed and sealed in resin. Because of this, it can take on many different styles and forms. As 90% quartz and 10% resin, this counter top remains completely non-porous and stain-resistant. However, the downside of the resin coating is that quartz countertops are not heat resistant like granite and marble are. In terms of cost, quartz is similar to granite but, as always, you’ll have to look at specific countertops to narrow down the price point. The processing technique allows for many more styles than the other two options, so it will work with more kitchen styles and tastes.
Pros
- Wider variety of options and styles
- No maintenance needed
- Highly durable and stain resistant
Cons
- Not heat resistant
- Manufactured, not natural
Home Builders and Renovators to Install Your Countertops
The decision is a big one so it is important to think about your lifestyle and what your needs are. You should make a choice that you will love now, and in the future. For stone countertop installation, contact D&L Builders.
