Kitchen countertops are one of a kitchen’s primary yet significant elements, making your chores easy and giving an elegant view. They are incredibly vital for kitchen space and holding appliances. Since they are so important, it is also essential to use suitable materials.
Cheap countertops can break easily and create more mess than benefit. Check the top ten best kitchen countertop ideas and their materials according to the trend.
Natural Stone Countertops
Natural Stone Countertops are one of the best options for your kitchen. It has a wide variety of materials for countertops because natural stone is mined, so each is unique, and the quality is out of this world.
The best thing about natural stone countertops is that they are heat, fire, chip, and scratch resistant and are long-lasting if provided with proper care. Their strength and durability depend on the stone, and the cost starts from cheaper to expensive. These durable and high-quality stones will enhance your kitchen.
Granite
Granite kitchen countertops are one of the most common natural stones known for their strength and durability, and it has a high resistance and long-lasting ability. This stone contains a high amount of silicone which is commonly known for its robust nature and permeance.
Kitchen granite countertops are resistant to heat up to approximately 1200 degrees Fahrenheit, and this quality makes it the best option for building purposes. Another perk of getting a granite countertop is that it is not affected by scratches. If you scratch this stone with a sharp object, it won’t scratch or damage its surface.
Granite countertops for the kitchen come in varying colors, from light to dark, and with various patterns. A kitchen granite countertop can easily be cleaned with warm water and soap, so maintenance is good. You can find them at different rates, from $35 to $75 per square foot—relatively cheap kitchen countertops. With black granite countertops, the kitchen can look elite.
Quartz
Quartz is the next stunning natural stone for kitchen countertops. It is a nonporous countertop; compared to other countertops, it is much more rigid and durable. The quartz kitchen countertops are made of mineral metamorphic rocks, that’s why they have rugged, non-foliated, and compact nature.
These countertops are resistant to scratches, but any extreme pressure may cause minor damage; you can quickly repair the countertop with polish or any epoxy filler product. If you are constructing a house for a family that prefers a neat and clean look, Quartz countertops are what you should be looking for. You can get perfect white kitchen countertops in quartz.
Quartz kitchen countertops are expensive, from $60 to $100 per square foot, and you can also get cheap quartz countertops at a low cost. The low-quality quartz countertops have a lesser amount of resins and other mixtures.
A synthetic alternative to quartz for countertops is quartzite which is also trending. You can have an all-black countertop kitchen with this.
Corian
Corian is a hygienic, strong, and durable countertop material. It is a mixture of some synthetic products containing 66% mineral and is smooth in appearance. They are highly durable and give a completely new look even after using them for an extended period.
These countertops are non-porous and resistant to dirt and stains. Instead, on the flip side, they are not as strong as other surfaces because of low resistance to heat and scratch, so the surface should be protected from high temperatures and sharp objects.
You can get this countertop in a vast collection of colors and patterns, so you style it differently. It costs approximately $40-$65 per square foot.
Laminate
Laminate is one of the best waterproof kitchen countertops. Their quality has been improved ideally now, whereas earlier, they used to deteriorate very quickly.
They are known for their high durability and smooth surface. You can use these countertops for an extended period as they are highly resistant to heat and stains. The color remains charming without getting faded and stays fresh.
Their thickness makes them more durable and provides strength, but there are different options for consistency and quality based on costs. The average price for these countertops is 30$ per square foot, which can be as low as 10$ at a cheaper rate.
Marble
If you want a shiny and sparkly kitchen countertop, then marble kitchen countertops are the best choice. As a construction company, using marble will be nothing new since it can be found for many construction purposes.
It is hard-wearing and robust but will need proper maintenance. It is not highly resistant to acid and requires a specific marble cleaner. We wouldn’t suggest you get it as you might have to re-seal it after some months. It quickly absorbs stains of wine, juice, and other oils, causing deep colors.
Its costs depend on the type you prefer and mainly range from $40 to $100 per square foot. You can get different varieties of marbles according to your desires. Kitchen countertop decor is possible with these countertops.
Travertine
If you are going for a Travertine countertop, you should know that it’s a form of limestone that requires high maintenance to stay in its long-lasting shape and is highly durable against heat and stains.
It is commonly preferred for countertops due to its natural and luxurious looks compared to other expensive surfaces like marble and granite. The main con is that these countertops get highly reactive with acids, and they cannot resist acidic nature liquids and create deep stains. These surfaces are too soft and porous, easily breakable, and have an increased risk of scratches and damage.
It costs almost $50-$100 per square foot. Travertine countertops are highly resistant but can not hold heavy loads.
Soapstone
Soapstone countertops are famous for their stylish looks and easy care. They are resistant to stains, bacteria, and heat and have smooth and non-porous surfaces. They are acid-resistant and do not get affected if you spill any acidic liquid. They are tricky like that marble and have strength.
You can get different variant colors and patterns, and they are also traded worldwide in high demand. The costs depend on these countertops’ type, color, and design, and these countertops’ average rate is almost 70$ to 120$ per square foot.
For soapstone countertops, you can find two variants. In the first category, you could see the artistic cornerstone, while the second one is the architectural countertop having lower talc content. You could carve it in any shape possible, giving your kitchen an elegant look.
Also, the slabs are usually smaller, so you don’t have much to work on if you make ample countertops. It also develops a patina that could give your kitchen a shabby look.
Other Material
Besides natural stones, there are also many other options for countertops that are trending more with time.
Concrete
concrete kitchen countertops are the trend nowadays, making any kitchen look incredibly chic. Your creativity holds no bounds while working with concrete, and concrete also comes in various kitchens to complement your needs.
If you want to know about durability, concrete is highly durable and lasts for a long time. There are also other perks of concrete, like its resistance to heat and low vulnerability to being scratched.
It’s also not high-maintenance, which means that if you are a busy person looking for an elegant and chic kitchen countertop, you have found the perfect fit.
Concrete is costly, so only go for it if you think your overall apartment is luxurious.
Glass
If you don’t want to go for a natural stone but want an equally valuable item that looks more expensive at the same price, then glass countertops are what you are looking for. It’s heat resistant and doesn’t stain much, and your scratches also don’t affect glass easily.
If you are into painting kitchen countertops, this is a perfect choice.
The starting price of glass countertops is $15 and $70 per square foot, which could also be $60 to $120 per square foot—up to $200 per square foot based on the quality.
Metal
You can have countless choices for metal countertops, and you can find many other types, from copper, bronze, and steel.
Having metal/steel countertops might cost you an arm and a leg. The average starting price is $80 to $225 per square foot. There are different aging times for your metals which means that the time you need to replace the coatings will also vary.
You would need to clean your metal regularly in several ways. Most people have kitchen sink countertops with metal too.
Wood
Butcher block is the kind of wood that is perfect for countertops. To give your countertop an aesthetic look, you should go for a face grain since it looks natural and more appealing to people.
Edge grain gives a carved-out look but can still impress most people. The end grain in the block butcher countertop would give the block-ish vibe, which might impress your buyers if they are into minimal styles.
Many businesses are introducing Bamboo countertops in this category too. Despite not technically falling under this category, bamboo tends to enhance the overall look of your kitchen.
Wood is highly durable and easily manageable, and it is not like a high-maintenance countertop. Wood can also take sunlight, so having outdoor kitchen countertops is easy for you.
How to Choose the Best Kitchen Countertops?
Choosing the best countertops for your kitchen or apartment could be difficult, but we have made the entire process easy. Here are some easy questions you must consider which you are choosing the perfect fit for your kitchen.
Function
The function of your kitchen countertop helps you decide which kitchen countertop you need the most. Ask yourself, what do you need a kitchen countertop for? While most people use it for cooking, some heavily rely on baking. You might need something more resistant and durable if you have a family with kids.
Do you do a lot of cutting in your kitchen? If yes, we suggest you get something like quartz or granite instead of a marble countertop. A marble countertop will cost you more when you buy it and make you spend more in the long run.
Budget
Budget is the first thing that comes to everyone’s mind while purchasing anything. You can’t NOT THINK about the price of something before you buy it. Make sure that the countertop that you are going for fits your budget.
Don’t ignore the other factors, especially the function, because purchasing a budget-friendly countertop that’s not durable or doesn’t suffice your needs will need to be replaced, so take care of the money matters.
Granite and Quartz are the most budget-friendly and durable. A friendly alternative to this is glass if you want a chic look too.
Maintenance
Another great question to ask that most people forget about is maintenance. Being a wholesale buyer or a construction company, you must know about their basic needs to attract more people.
If you give your house to a big family, their preference will be a low-maintenance deal, so getting a marble countertop will be a horrible choice. But if your apartment is for a couple or small family, you can get light countertops, which could be high-maintenance but look elegant.
FAQ
What is the Best Kitchen Countertop?
The best kitchen countertop is granite. Most people go for an option that is both affordable and looks chic, and granite tops the list in this combo. Granite is perfect for every household and kitchen.
What is the Best Countertop for Your Money?
If you are seeking an affordable countertop that will provide the maximum value while being durable, then a quartz countertop is what you are looking for. Quartz looks extremely elegant in the kitchen and creates a pleasant aura around.
What Is the Most Affordable Type of Countertop?
If you want to know about the most affordable countertop, then a Laminate countertop must be your final choice. The only issue is that despite being cheap, it isn’t of the highest quality and tends to get damaged over time.
Which countertop is the lowest maintenance?
If you are interested in this question, you must be living a busy life, and the best option for you is quartz. Quartz is non-porous, which is why it doesn’t get patina quickly.
Is Granite Cheaper than Quartz?
Granite can be more expensive than quartz at a time, depending on the availability of style and color. But the base price for granite and quartz countertops per square foot is somewhat similar.
Over to You
With these types and easy questions, you must have decided on your perfect fit. Taking these things into your hands as a wholesale contractor can be challenging. Why don’t you take help from the experts? PA Kitchen can help you at every step. Be it Design & Measurement, Delivery Support, or Package & Assemble Support, we will try our best to ensure that you get exactly what you need.
Are you a builder, contractor, wholesaler, or designer? We don’t charge you heavy amounts like others, and we come up with friendly budgets for you to save more money. Contact us today and get the most benefit.
