Countertops are one of the most important finishes in a home. One of the most common questions we get is "What type of countertops do you recommend". There are so many factors that go into selecting a countertop and with all of the options on the market, it can be overwhelming deciding which is right for your home. We've compiled a list of all of our favourites to help you pick the perfect surface for your space.
Granite:
Granite is a natural stone with many variations of colour options ranging from dark to light
Pros:
-Extremely durable
-Resistant to heat
-Easy to maintain
-Natural veining and colour variation
-Some colours are sourced locally
Cons:
-Resealing should be done every number of years as part of the standard maintenance of the material
-Cutting directly on the countertop will dull knives
-Staining is rare but possible
-Natural fissures in the slab can create weak points in the countertop that are susceptible to cracking or chipping. Some cracks and chips can be filled with epoxy by your countertop supplier
Marble:
Marble is a natural stone most commonly known for its lighter colouring but is available in a variety of colour options.
Pros:
-Unique natural veining and colour variation
-White & neutral colour tones that are often not found in other natural stone types
-Maintains a low temperature making it a great surface for baking
-Timeless
Cons:
-Porous - even when sealed, marble is more porous than other natural stones and materials
-Soft - susceptible to surface scratches and etching
-Depending on the availability, origin country or fragility of the stone, marble can be more costly to purchase and manufacture
Quartz:
Quartz is a composite material comprised of natural quartz and resin
Pros:
-Non-porous and durable
-Easily maintained- resealing is never required
-A vast array of colour and texture options which often mimic the look of natural stone
-Predictable - the colouring that you see in a small sample or the image of any single slab is exactly what you’re going to get
- 2cm and 3cm slab thicknesses are often available in the same colour so you can mix and match thicknesses to suit your design needs
Cons:
-Not heat resistant - the resin used in the composition can discolour when exposed to high heat
-Cutting directly on the surface is not recommended
-Predictable - can lack some of the character and unique qualities that natural stones provide
High Pressure Composites:
High-pressure composites are a composite material created under high pressure and high heat
Pros:
-Resistant to scratching, staining and heat
-Maintenance Free
-Available in a variety of thicknesses
-Easily used on both horizontal and vertical surfaces
-Variety of colours and textures available to suit your space
Cons:
-Hardness - cutting this material provides different challenges then other natural stones or quartz materials so your countertop manufacturer needs to be set up to accommodate this material
-Difficult to repair should the material suffer any damage
-Can lack some of the character and unique qualities other materials can provide
-The pattern or veining on the top of the material does not necessarily continue through the whole thickness of the slab so edges often have be mitred adding more manufacturing cost and risk of chipping
Laminate:
Laminate is a plastic material layered over a particle core
Pros:
-Economical
-Easy to install
-A variety of materials, colours and textures
Cons:
-Not scratch or heat resistant
-Susceptible to chipping and de-lamination over time
-Depending on the edge detail and finish selected, the material has the potential to feel dated
Other Alternatives:
Other countertop materials that could be considered based on your project:
-Stainless Steel- making a come back in residential spaces!
-Butcher Block- a great addition to kitchen and adds some visual warmth
-Quartzite - a natural stone with unique characteristics that differs from marble & granite in veining and colour
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