Tips For Choosing the Right Kitchen Countertops

Outside of your cabinets, your countertops are the biggest design element of your kitchen. While the way they look might be the most immediate attraction, countertops have to be able to stand up to the rigors of daily life, too. Durability, maintenance, and cost are important factors to consider when choosing a surface material. We offer beautiful variations of granite or quartz countertops in our new homes.

Here are some NewStyle tips for evaluating the most popular countertop materials:

1. Know how you “live” in your kitchen. Kitchen experts warn against more delicate or high-maintenance materials (such as marble or soapstone) if you are a culinary wizard or have an active family. Granite, engineered stone, wood, and concrete are durable and forgiving. Solid surface countertops resist stains and scratches but can be damaged by hot pans. Laminate can scorch if a hot pan touches the surface and has a reputation for scratching easily.

2. What’s your style? Farmhouse? Transitional? Modern? Certain materials work better with certain styles, due to color and finish. Granite, the top choice, comes in a variety of shades (blacks, whites, greens and beiges), and two finishes (polished or matte), so it can adapt to almost any style. On the other hand, wood may suggest a more informal/rustic look. Concrete may skew modern/industrial.

3. Keep track of your budget. Like cabinetry, countertops are a good chunk of your budget. Depending on how much you need, and what material you choose, countertops can be pricey. Costs for granite depend on the color, finish, and origin of the stone. Engineered stone costs about the same as granite. Marble and concrete are more expensive, while laminate is more affordable. Wood is somewhere in between.

4. What’s your maintenance tolerance? Natural stone materials, like marble, limestone, and soapstone, are softer than granite and require greater care. All stone countertops must be sealed periodically. Concrete countertops should be sealed up to four times per year and waxed every two to three months. Wood countertops can be damaged by water, so they must be oiled frequently to seal the surface.