How to choose from the multiple kitchen countertop materials out there

Kitchen countertops are the most important part of any kitchen remodeling project. The right counters in the right kitchen can just shine. From granite and quartz to wood and stainless steel, there’s a lot of kitchen countertop materials out there. How do you know which one is right for your home?

Well, you’re in the right place. In this blog post, we’ll discuss your multiple options for kitchen countertops, and why Superior Stone & Cabinet is the right choice for countertop installation in the Phoenix metro area.

Call our team today at (602) 437-0088 to schedule a free estimate!

Granite

To give your kitchen a high-end renovation, installing granite countertops is arguably the best way to go. Granite surfaces are made using granite stone that comes in various natural colors and inherent designs. If properly taken care of, these countertops can look great even after decades of use.

They are more heat resistant and less prone to minor knife nicks than other countertop materials.

To make them strain-resistant, however, you have to seal them frequently. Due to their heavy weight, you kitchen will need robust cabinet boxes to support them.

Here are some articles we’ve previously written about granite countertops:

Quartz

Distinctive features and durability are the mark of quartz countertops. Made from a mixture of quartz and resin, these countertops have a wide variety of color options.

The addition of the resin to the natural stone makes quartz countertops non-porous, which results in greater strain-resistance capabilities.

Quartz countertops are more flexible due to the addition of polymer in their preparation. More flexibility means these kitchen countertops will be less prone to scratches and chips.

However, the addition of polymers and resins makes quartz countertops less heat-resistant than steel or granite ones. You’ll need to use a hot pad for hot pans and pots to ensure that your quartz doesn’t get weird markings.

Here are some articles we’ve written about quartz countertops:

Other, less common countertop materials

In this section, we’ll cover some less common types of countertop materials, such as stainless steel, laminate, and wood.

A word of advice first: You also have to consider the resale value of your home. You don’t want to be the only house on the block with a weird countertop type when you go to sell.

Stainless steel countertops

Stainless steel can be used to cover your kitchen countertops if you like shiny surfaces. This works especially well if your house interior has a minimalistic style. Stainless steel can easily be cleaned by using tap water or occasionally vinegar for those hard-to-remove spots.

Don’t use strong chemicals like bleach and caustic soda because it can speed up the slow-rusting process of the steel.

Stainless steel can be difficult to maintain, and it rarely fits in every home. You’ll want to consult with a home designer to figure out if stainless steel is the right fit for your kitchen.

Laminate countertops

Lamination has been used to cover kitchen countertops for ages. It is one of the most budget-friendly countertop material options. Laminate countertops are experiencing a rise in their popularity because they are now available in designs that closely resemble wood, granite and stone.

However, a big caveat: laminate countertops have many strikes against them. First, they’re less durable than other countertop materials to cuts, stains, burns, and more. They also have low resale value added; some homebuyers may even be turned off by a kitchen with laminate countertops.

Wood countertops

Some people love the look of wood countertops, but here’s the thing: you’ll need to spend a lot of time defending and maintaining this countertop type. While we like the look, the material itself just struggles to keep up with everyday life in the kitchen, where wood’s porous, absorbing nature works against it. Learn more about wood countertops here.

Call Superior Stone & Cabinet to get a free estimate on new granite and quartz countertops

Superior Stone & Cabinet is one of the largest suppliers of granite and quartz countertops in the Phoenix metro area. We offer free estimates on new countertops. To get started, give us a call at (602) 437-0088 or visit our showroom to see our materials.