Virily Editor
Going shopping for countertops isn’t nearly as simple as it once was. Today, there are a nearly limitless number of options for a countertop, and not only when it comes to brand names but also when it comes to materials as well.
You’ll literally have hundreds of different choices to choose from for countertops, ranging from stone types to patterns to colors to textures to materials and so on. Choosing the proper type of authorization hold for your countertop is also important for two reasons:
- It will directly impact the value of your home, and therefore its resale value
- Since the kitchen serves as the heart of your home, an ugly countertop will leave you wishing that you had selected something different
For these reasons, when the time comes to remodel your home, changing the countertops can be one of the best investments that you make to bolster your home’s look and its value.
With that in mind, here are some of the best stone countertop options that you should be able to afford:
Ceramic Tile
Ceramic tile may not be natural stone, but it’s worth mentioning in this list because of its popularity across America. Ceramic Tile is very affordable (much more so than quartz or solid surface countertops), so if you’re going to be doing a DIY remodel of your home, ceramic tile could be the way to go.
Furthermore, ceramic tile has a multitude of options available on the market now, with tiles that can look like natural stone, or marble, or wood, or even leather. For this reason, not only is ceramic tile very durable and inexpensive, but it’s also very versatile and attractive in its appearance.
On top of all of that, ceramic tile is very easy to clean, and it is virtually invincible against heat damage from hot pans and pots.
The biggest negatives to ceramic tile is that it lacks the durable of true natural stone, so they may crack under heavy impact and you will need to exercise caution.
Granite
One of the most in-demand stone countertops available on the market today is granite. There are many homebuyers who will only want granite for their kitchen countertops and will not even consider any other options.
There’s certainly good reason for this: not only is granite very attractive and a good option for most home kitchen designs, it also is incredibly durable and can stand up to most heavy impacts, unlike ceramic tile. It can also easily resist heat from hot pans and pots.
That being said, granite is certainly not invincible, and chips on the edge can develop from repeated impact against pans or wine bottles. Granite can also be vulnerable to oil, which can seep into the stone, and you will need to employ poultice to get the oil out.
Marble
Another highly sought after stone option for kitchen countertop is marble. Marble is unique because no two sheets of marble are identical, which means that the marble countertop in your home is going to be very different from the one in your neighbor’s house.
Why isn’t marble seen more often in kitchens? The short answer is because it is one of the pricier options, which means that it is most often reserved for more luxurious homes, or otherwise in only one section of the kitchen (such as in the baking center).
Nonetheless, if you have the budget for it, marble can still be a great countertop option for your home. It is very beautiful and truly does add to the real estate value of your home. It is also heatproof and waterproof.
The biggest downsides are that (besides its higher price), it also scratches easily, and you will need to consistently apply sealer to the surface to reduce your maintenance and upkeep on it. The other major downside to marble is that it requires professional installation, and DIY installation is not possible. You can check out slab market for more information.
Quartz
Quartz is an engineered stone product that takes quartz particles and other types of minerals, and are then shaped into slabs and held together with resin. In other words, they are not the same thing as the solid quartz slabs that result from quarrying.
But fortunately, the quartz used for countertops is much better performing than other stone options like marble or granite. It’s also available in a much greater variety of colors and patterns, and the surface is nonporous that can easily resist both staining and scratching. There’s also no sealing required for quartz countertops either.
In summary, the main advantage to quartz is that it is easy to maintain over the long term, can be easily fabricated into virtually any kind of shape, and can easily resist stains and heat. The biggest cons to it are that it is more expensive, and also very heavy.
Soapstone
Soapstone is a natural stone noted for its dark gray color and its very smooth feel. While historically not as popular as the other options in this list, it has been making a resurgence as of late.
Most notably, soapstone is often used in historical homes or in modern homes for use around the sink. Besides its deep color that can offer an historic look to homes, soapstone also is very impervious to heat and is very stain resistance.
Its biggest negatives are that it must be treated with mineral oil to prevent scratches, and it requires professional installation, so it’s not a good choice for do it yourself projects.
Conclusion
The above options for a countertop will improve both the look and value of your home to make your kitchen more appealing as well as more functional.
Of course, stone does not have to be the only option for your kitchen countertops, but rest assured it is an option that will almost never fail to deliver when it comes to looks or quality.
