Marble, quartz, concrete, limestone...and the list goes on! There are so many dreamy countertop options nowadays. Some are less maintenance, some are more durable, and some are simply timeless. If you’re in need of some help deciding on the perfect countertop for your space, then you’ve come to the right place! I’ve compiled a basic overview of the most popular countertop surfaces to make life a little bit easier for you!
1. Marble
A metamorphic rock that forms when limestone is subjected to the heat and pressure of metamorphism.
Pros: Durable, classic & timeless look, heat resistant
Cons: Easily stained due to porous and soft surface, high maintenance - needs to be resealed about every 2 years, expensive
Cost: $125-$225 psf, installed
2. Quartz
A fabricated from natural silicon dioxide and synthetic materials. Loose quartz makes up about 93% of the material and is blended with a binder and pigment and formed into countertops.
Pros: Man-made surface, durable, non-porous, resistant to stains & scratches, low maintenance
Cons: Some discoloration from direct sunlight, easily damaged with heat, limitation on slab sizes
Price: $95-$200 psf, installed
3. Quartzite
The sister surface to quartz - a hard, non-foliated metamorphic rock, which was originally sandstone. The sandstone is then converted into quartzite through heating and pressure.
Pros: all natural stone, harder than granite, less prone to denting and chipping because of its flexibility, resistant to stains, scratches & heat
Cons: Usually only comes in white and gray tones
Price: $65-$185 psf, installed
4. Soapstone
Soapstone is made from quarried stone. The stone is a steatite stone that includes chlorite, magnesite and dolomite. Most also contains quite a bit of talc which accounts for the milky or powdery look and feel of the stone.
Pros: Low maintenance, dense, non-porous
Cons: Susceptible to scratches, colors are limited to grey tones
Price: $70-$120 psf, uninstalled
5. Butcher Block
Straight cuts of woods, which are joined together. These woods are commonly glued together to form thick slabs.
Pros: Provides ample workspace in the kitchen, can be sealed or unsealed (depending on the look you’re going for and whether or not you’ll be using the surface as a workspace.)
Cons: High maintenance - require oiling every six months, not heat or stain resistant, wood can swell and shrink in conditions of extreme dryness or humidity, which may cause cracking, excessive wetness makes the wood susceptible to rot and discoloration, develops a patina over time (this can also be a pro; it’s just a matter of taste.)
Price: $75-$150 psf, installed
6. Concrete
Concrete is a natural composite material made from an aggregate (typically rocks, sand, and fly ash) plus a cement binder (such as limestone and calcium sulfate) and water.
Pros: Durable, water, heat & stain resistant when sealed
Cons: Susceptible to stains, scratches, chips, and cracks
Price: $56-$135 psf, installed
7. Granite
Granite is a very hard stone and 100 percent natural. It’s mined from quarries all around the world, cut down to a manageable size, and then polished to a fine finish.
Pros: Comes in many different colors and patterns, can be polished or matte, durable, heat & scratch resistant, low maintenance (after sealed)
Cons: Absorbs everything if not sealed correctly, expensive, heavy pressure or a severe impact may break or chip it
Price: $45-$200 psf, installed
8. Recycled Glass
Recycled glass is a combination of crushed glass (chips) held together in a binder material, usually cement or resin.
Pros: Eco-friendly attributes, unique style, comes in a variety of colors, ability to customize, low maintenance (after sealed)
Cons: Not as durable as other surfaces, prone to chipping, cement-based binders need to be sealed regularly, resins in crushed glass counters can’t be polished to a high sheen like granite or marble tops
Price: $50-$100 psf, uninstalled
There you have it, folks! I hope this post has/will help you in making your countertop decision when the time comes. Which one was your favorite?