What’s the Best Kitchen Countertop Material?

Granite 

With their natural beauty and unique variations, granite countertops can make a statement in your kitchen.  Since granite forms from molten rock inside the earth, this material can easily withstand the heat from your pots and pans. It’s also durable and easy to clean. 

However, granite is not known for being affordable, and installation costs can be high, too. It takes a lot of heavy lifting to install a granite countertop, and you may need to add reinforcements to your cabinets to support the weight.

Granite also requires periodic resealing. Without regular treatment, it can crack or stain more easily.

Marble

Marble is another beautiful, long-lasting material made from igneous rock. It comes in a variety of colors and has unique details in every slab. The same characteristics that made it popular in art and architecture for thousands of years have also made it a favorite kitchen countertop material.

However, marble countertops can be even fussier than granite. They are prone to stains from wine, balsamic vinegar, or curry. They can also chip easily or even crack and break if a heavy or sharp object is dropped onto them.

Quartz

For a more cost-effective alternative, some people turn to quartz, which has many of the qualities of natural stone but is easier to fabricate. Quartz can also be customized with various resin colors and materials to create unique looks you won’t find in nature.

On the other hand, quartz isn’t impervious to damage. The resins and polymer fillers in this material can be scorched if you place a hot pan on the surface. And if you’re going for a seamless look, you won’t find it with quartz—these countertops have some of the most visible seams of any material.

Butcher Block

We’ve seen a lot of butcher block countertops in the last several years, partly because the urban farmhouse style was having a moment. This material brings the warm, natural beauty of wood to kitchen counters.

Lately, they’ve been a little less popular, though—in part, due to their high maintenance. Butcher block counters are especially vulnerable to heat damage, scratches, stains, bacteria buildup, and water damage, to name a few of the possible drawbacks. They also require regular sealing with butcher block oil or beeswax to prevent drying and cracks.

Stainless Steel

While usually associated with commercial kitchens, stainless steel is sometimes spotted in residential kitchens. It’s a utilitarian option that’s ideal for someone who does a lot of cooking and wants counters that can resist heat, moisture, stains, and bacterial growth.

The most common problem people have with food-grade stainless steel, however, is that it feels sterile. It can give a cold, surgical air to your kitchen that may not be ideal for the average home chef and family.

Solid Surface

If you’re looking for the best of all worlds, solid surface is the best kitchen countertop material money can buy. It marries the durability of natural stone with the affordability of manmade kitchen countertop materials like quartz. It also comes in many styles, from some that mimic the beauty of granite or marble, to cool neutrals, brights, terrazzo patterns, and many other looks. 

Solid surface kitchen countertops are also known for their durability. The material resists scratches, dents, heat, water, mold and mildew, and bacteria. It’s easy to fabricate and install and can be seamed invisibly. Plus, it’s much more affordable than natural stone. 

When it comes to quality, not all countertop materials are created equal. Consider the following checklist when you’re making your choice.

Kitchen Countertop Durability

Over the years, your kitchen countertops will take a lot of wear and tear. You need something durable—especially if you cook a lot.

Granite, marble, or quartz are very durable. However, they can also be quite fussy and need regular maintenance. Butcher block also needs frequent resealing to protect it from stains and scratches.

By contrast, solid surface countertops can withstand a lot of everyday activity—though you should still use a pad to protect them from hot pans. Thanks to their poreless surface, they’re also easy to clean and can even be buffed if they do get scratched.

Longevity Features

As the old saying goes, fashion comes and goes, but style is forever. That holds true for countertops, where some materials stand firm among the flow of trends. 

However, you don’t necessarily have to spend top dollar on granite and marble to give your kitchen countertops timeless style. Solid surface countertops can imitate the classic look of granite or marble without the hefty price tag.

Natural stone countertops are notoriously hard to install. The average granite slab weighs well over 1,000 pounds, so professionals must use specialized equipment to get them into place. 

On the other hand, butcher block is much lighter and more manageable to work with. The same is true for solid surface, which is very easy for professionals to install.

While each natural stone or butcher block countertop is one-of-a-kind based on what nature felt like making, quartz countertops have a more uniform look because the material is engineered in a factory.

Solid surface countertops are also engineered, but because the material is so simple to customize and fabricate, you can choose from hundreds of possible colors and patterns, ranging from bright jewel tones to realistic-looking stone, and even opt for curves and

Every type of countertop commands a different price point. At a glance, here is what you can expect to pay:

• Marble: This is typically the most expensive countertop material you’ll find, with prices starting around $100 per square foot.

• Granite: While less expensive than marble, granite countertops start at around $75 per square foot and often compare with marble for unique stone colors.

• Quartz: This material tends to be less expensive than natural stone, averaging around $70 per square foot. However, price points vary by supplier and the number of slabs you need.

• Butcher block: Most wood countertops command a lower price point than any type of natural or engineered stone. However, custom patterns or higher-quality types of wood may cost more.

• Stainless steel: Stainless steel countertops aren’t cheap, but they can last for decades—hence why so many restaurants rely on them in their kitchens. However, for residential kitchens, they tend to command a similar price point to natural stone.

• Solid surface: Out of all these options, solid surface kitchen countertops cost the least, while still offering a high-quality look and feel.