Countertop Confidential

Find the right material that best suits
your lifestyle, tastes and budget

Taking center stage, the countertop is often the first thing people notice when they enter a kitchen. And what homeowner doesn’t want their countertops to be worthy of that attention? But with so many choices in materials, colors and styles, how do you choose what's right for you, your lifestyle and your budget?

To help explore your options, here are some tips from the experts.

Clai Porter of NCP Design/Build Ltd. says that most of his clients prefer Corian (a synthethic solid surface), granite, or engineered stone. “Solid surfaces add durability, luxury and elegance to a kitchen. They are also seamless and easier to clean, which people really appreciate.”

Mark Sprano, owner of Alaska Marble & Granite, says: “In the last five to eight years engineered materials have become popular, but in my mind, stone – marble, granite, and limestone – is the standard.” He notes that some stone is more porous than others, which means that it is important to reseal it every few years to keep germs out.

Conversely, Kurt Echols, president of Cabinet Fever, steers his clients towards quartz if they are undecided or haven’t done much research on available materials. “Quartz is the most durable and problem-free material for a countertop. It’s non-porous and sturdy, and a lot of people like the seamless look that if offers.” He cautions that it’s important to know how to use the materials you choose. For example: “You can place a hot pot on granite, whereas with Corian it might melt the surface or cause it to bubble. With laminate, you can end up with a burn mark.”

Another fairly new option to consider is concrete. Regina Daniels of Davis Block & Concrete says that consumer interest in concrete countertops is growing. Concrete affords a choice of unique shapes as it can be cast right in your kitchen. “People like that they can really customize concrete and get creative – it’s very versatile as far as color goes, and I’ve seen people do inlays, add decorative glass, and even inlay fossil rocks.”

Can't decide on just one material? With so many countertop choices, some homeowners are choosing to mix and match materials to create a unique combination of colors, textures, and functions. One option is to break up a hard countertop surface, such as granite, with a kitchen island made of butcher block. Along with adding natural warmth, wood “is a great surface for rolling out dough and chopping. It might get scratches but it’s part of the look,” says Echols.

It seems that there are as many opinions about the best countertop materials as there are options. In the end, the right materials are the ones that suit you best. So before you go shopping to buy one, compare the differences in the materials.

Shopping for a new kitchen countertop? Here are some of the pros, cons and costs of several common countertop materials.

Sources: Alaska Marble & Granite, Cabinet Fever, NCP Design/Build Ltd., Davis Block & Concrete