Choosing the right countertop is one of the most important aspects of kitchen design that goes beyond the aesthetic.
Best type of stone for countertops.
Some types are convincing copies of natural marble with similar veining.
Compare and contrast features of the countertop surfaces available in today s market.
With so many possibilities to choose from it s hard to know which options you should consider.
While this list attempts to focus on a few of the most durable popular or stylish surfaces what s best for your kitchen or bath will inevitably depend upon your individual needs and tastes.
Countertop comparison chart what material is best for you.
This family of countertop materials includes quarried stones like granite marble soapstone and slate.
Similar technology is now being used in so called glass countertops which consist of particles of recycled glass blended with resins and shaped into countertop slabs.
Practically maintenance free engineered quartz countertops are stain acid scratch heat and impact resistant and thanks to their non porous surface don t need to be sealed like natural stone countertops.
Although there are those who disagree quartz countertops a form of engineered stone may well be the best of all countertop materials when all factors are considered.
In our countertop tests performance varied from one material to the next but there was little difference among competing brands of each type so be sure to shop around for the best deal on your.
Quartz countertops are made from natural stone byproducts leftover rubble from quarrying which are pulverized and blended with resins to form slabs.
Soapstone countertops are made from a gray or black stone that has a white veined look and a soft soapy feel hence the name.
Soapstone limestone travertine and other types of stone are all viable choices for quality countertops.
It s an investment you want to last for years to come but your lifestyle is ultimately more important than your decorating style when it comes to picking the right type of countertop.
Available in a wide range of colors and patterns quartz typically ranks close in popularity to the perennial top choice.
Once found only in expensive homes granite is more common today and is one of the.
Unlike natural stone engineered quartz requires no annual sealing.
Also it can be hard to hide seams in granite countertops so be strategic about where you put them.
Natural variations in stone can result in countertops that don t look exactly like the sample.