What Is The Best Countertop Material?

One of the biggest decisions when renovating or installing a new kitchen or bathroom is the material choice. The selection for your countertops will influence cleaning, replacement requirements, and the project budget.

There are so many different options on offer that it’s almost impossible to indicate a winning formula for the best countertop material. Instead, our experts have provided the pros and cons of common kitchen and bathroom countertop materials to help you decide.

Granite

When it comes to countertops, granite tends to be the first choice in kitchens and bathrooms. The stunning, robust material adds a layer of opulence with several advantages, including heat-resistance and impressive durability.

One massive advantage of granite is that it’s almost completely impervious to heat. You can place the hottest of pots directly onto the counter without consequences. Granite is also incredibly strong and can handle a lot of wear and tear.

It’s not bulletproof, and you may find small chips and cracks if you are hard on these counters, but the overall durability is difficult to fault.

Granite’s main disadvantage is that it’s porous, which means it can absorb water and stain more easily. However, most modern granite countertops are pre-sealed. Your gorgeous granite countertop may need resealing eventually, but it won’t be soon, so it is virtually indestructible.

Marble

Marble is also increasingly popular as a natural stone option for countertops. The attraction is that no two countertops will be alike, and marble looks incredible in almost any setting. It’s also waterproof and heat-proof, making it an excellent choice for a bathroom countertop.

The drawback of marble is that it’s porous and prone to scratching or staining. Modern sealers mitigate this issue, but you can expect to pay more in maintenance and repairs than other countertop materials.

Our stonework professionals don’t recommend marble in a working kitchen, for example.

Quartzite (Engineered Stone)

Quartz countertops aren’t solid pieces of quarried quartz as one might imagine. Instead, it is a mix of quartz dust and particles suspended in resin. It is a combination that leads to natural and unique designs, just as beautiful as a natural find, but far more affordable.

One advantage of using quartz countertops is that you can find almost any texture, color, and style to fit your kitchen or bathroom. Quartzite is also incredibly robust, and because it’s non-porous, it’s stain-resistant and easy to maintain. The manufacturing process also preserves attractive veins and ‘imperfections’ to maintain the stone’s natural appeal.

New Century Kitchen and Bath

Granite, marble, and quartzite are three popular materials with several advantages, but these three choices are not the only three for you to explore. The best countertop material works for you in terms of enhancing your design and satisfying your budget expectations. Whatever you need, the experts at New Century Kitchen and Bath will be able to find the best countertop material for your next home remodel.

Give New Century Kitchen and Bath a call today and let our experts know what you need. Our experienced professionals provide all you need for an informed decision on countertops, tiles, flooring, and custom designs.