Choosing Your Kitchen Countertop
When it comes to selecting a countertop, there are many materials, designs and price ranges. To simplify your choices and avoid a mental breakdown from information overload, answer these questions before you hit search on google.
Is this a temporary countertop replacement or long term?
Will I be happy with a surface that requires maintenance or changes over time?
Is customer service and warranty important?
Which countertop is right for me?
The custom butcher block island adds warmth to this Mankato kitchen!
Wood or butcher block
We like to use wood in small areas, such as the island to bring a warm, earthy element into the kitchen. Avoid putting wood where water damage is more likely to happen, such as around the sink.
Pros: Depending on the wood species, it can be very cost effective. Warm to the touch, unlike stone.
Cons: Must be sealed and oiled properly to prevent water damage.
Dark soapstone compliments the contemporary cabinetry.
Soapstone
Soapstone has a distinct look and feel that other materials cannot match. Periodically oiling the countertop will make for a darker, smoother look. Having high talc content, the material is much softer than other natural stone surfaces, however, it can stand up to high heat and acidic materials. That’s why it’s often used in science labs!
Pros: Like other natural stones, it has unique qualities in its design. It’s nonporous, requiring no sealing.
Cons: Nicks and scratches are going to happen. Some see it as adding character but to others it might be bothersome. The colors are also very limited, remaining only on the greyscale.
Quartz
When it comes to quartz surfaces, not all are the same. Some companies produce the slabs with extra fillers, so it’s important to look into the facts of each brand. Our top pick is Cambria, not only because every slab is produced in our backyard of Le Sueur, MN but the excellent customer service and lifetime warranty that comes with it. Cambria is also the most environmentally friendly choice, mined and manufactured in North America, recycling water used during the process, and being Greenguard certified, meaning they do not have an impact on indoor air quality. Aesthetically, quartz can work with any style, but is primarily a clean, modern look.
Pros: There are hundreds of colors and designs to choose from, and being twice as hard as granite, it’s less likely to chip or scratch. No maintenance required, so you can set it and forget it!
Cons: Lighter/white designs are more difficult to hide seams and slab size is limited.
Granite
Granite is still a very popular choice for kitchen countertops, with an array of colors formed right in the earth!
Pros: Depending on the design you choose, some slabs are available in very large sizes, reducing the number of seams throughout the kitchen. Being it is a natural stone, there are beautiful, unique qualities with each slab.
Cons: Granite is a porous material and typically requires regular sealing. Check with the fabricator if a long lasting sealant can be applied prior to installation. If not properly maintained, staining and harboring of bacteria can occur.
laminate
Laminate is the most affordable material and available in every color or design you can think of!
Pros: Designs can mimic the look of marble or granite at a fraction of the cost and no maintenance.
Cons: Knives and other items can scratch the plastic surface and typically can’t be repaired. Laminate does not increase the homes resale value, as opposed to natural stone.
As designers who have supervised many kitchen remodels, we guide our clients in choosing a material that best fits their lifestyle and budget. On any given day, your countertop may play the roles of cutting board, hot pad, office desk, food prep surface and the snack bar. You need a surface that’s durable, attractive and easy to get along with. It’s worth weighing the options carefully when you’re remodeling.
Granite was a beautiful choice for the style in this home.