6 Best Countertop Materials

Selecting the right countertops for your kitchen and bathroom is a very important decision, both in terms of function and style, as your choice should coincide both with your needs and your aesthetic taste.

However, if you’ve never installed countertops in your home or business before, you may be unsure which material will work with your design plans and personal needs.

So, what is the best countertop material? We’ve compiled a list and will go over how they rank in terms of appearance, maintenance, resale value, and affordability. Keep reading to see which countertop material works best for you!

Whether you’re a homeowner or a business, looking for the right countertop material is crucial. For more on finding the countertop material, particularly for coffee shops, read this article here: https://www.caesarstone.ca/blog/coffee-shop-counter-how-to-find-the-best-material/.

1. Quartz

If you like the look of natural stone without incurring a high cost, quartz is an ideal choice for your countertops.

Quartz is made from a mixture of natural stone minerals and resin, and can be made to mimic the appearance of granite or marble.

This material is visually pleasing and is also available in a wide range of colours, making it suitable for any design style for both homes and businesses.

In regards to durability and maintenance, quartz is both stain and heat-resistant and doesn’t require any sealing.

Additionally, quartz ranks high in terms of resale value, as many homeowners actually prefer quartz countertops to natural stone.

2. Porcelain

Next on our list of the best countertop materials is porcelain. Porcelain is a great choice for both kitchens and bathrooms. Not only are they easy to install, but porcelain tile countertops can be quite affordable.

Similar to quartz, porcelain countertops are made to look like marble and are available in a number of different colours, making them suitable for many different kitchen designs.

Porcelain holds up really well to heat and is also stain-resistant, so preparing food and moving pots and pans around on the surface won’t cause cooks too much grief.

3. Granite

Granite is a natural stone that’s unique in appearance, and when used as a countertop material, no two stone slabs will look exactly the same.

Granite is reasonably durable, but it’s notably susceptible to stains. Therefore, if you choose to install granite countertops, you’ll have to regularly re-seal the surface to avoid any damage. Nevertheless, while granite is not fully stain-resistant, it is heat-resistant.

4. Solid Surface

Solid surface material is another choice for the best countertop materials for those looking to be economical. This type of countertop is made from synthetic materials to mimic the look of natural stone.

Due to its synthetic material, solid surface is malleable and can be customized in different colours.

Unfortunately, solid surface is susceptible to stains and burns, but these can be easily removed by sanding down the areas that have been marked.

The resale value of this material won’t be as high as the above-mentioned options, but solid surface is considered higher grade than other synthetics like laminate. Therefore, installing solid surface countertops likely won’t impede your ability to sell your home at a later date.

5. Marble

Marble is preferred by professional or hobbyist bakers, as it has a naturally low temperature that makes it easier to form and roll dough directly on the surface.

Similar to granite, marble countertops are made from natural stone, so they will run you high up in terms of cost. Therefore, these countertops are best suited to those who aren’t on a strict budget.

Marble countertops are durable and resistant to heat and surface breakage. However, this material is easily scratched, so homeowners will need to regularly seal the surface to avoid this issue.

6. Soapstone

Soapstone is a non-porous material, meaning it doesn’t absorb residual substances.

It has a distinct appearance, usually consisting of veining in different colours. It’s also high in talc, so it has a feeling similar to the texture of bar soap.

This countertop material is durable and is heat resistant. However, soapstone is susceptible to scratching and denting (although minimal damage to the surface actually adds to the patina, so as long as it’s just an occasional scratch, it should hold up okay).

When it comes to maintenance, it’s recommended that homeowners treat the surface of the soapstone with mineral oil once every month to keep the counters in good condition.

In regard to expense and resale value, soapstone counters rank similarly to granite countertops, so this material is best suited to those who aren’t on a strict budget.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for new countertops for your home, consider this list of the best countertop materials.

Examine which countertop best fits your needs in terms of appearance, cost, and maintenance before making the final decision, and then enjoy the process of installing your new countertops with some of the best materials around!