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Kitchen Countertop Material Comparison Close your eyes and list as many kitchen countertop options you can. How’d you do? There is a lot to choose from! This post will cover your options and help you make a more informed choice. Laminate Countertops Laminate countertops (often called Formica) are very common. Builders often install laminate to keep costs low. It is one of the cheapest options available with prices range from around $5 to $30 per square foot. Laminate is low maintenance and will resist most stains. It’s easy to clean and available in many colors and patterns. Knives and hight heat can cause noticeable damage. Granite Countertops I choose granite countertops. Granite is a hard, durable surface. It won’t take stains (when properly sealed). Knives won’t damage it and you can place hot pans directly on it. It’s a great natural stone look. But it’s not cheap. Estimate spending between $45 and $100 per square foot. And plan on sealing your granite about once a year to keep it stain free. Butcher Block Butcher Block will give your kitchen a warm, rustic feel. It’s great for cutting or chopping produce. And most scratches can be sanded or scraped away. For this reason it’s best not to refinish the surface. Otherwise your working to keep the finish nice and not even enjoying your countertop. Butcher Block should be kept clean and treated with mineral oil periodically. It’ll run you about $40 to $65 per square foot making it a great option. Stainless Steel A lot of popular appliances are stainless. Why not the countertop too? Stainless is a tough material that will stand up to high heat and won’t ever stain or rust. It will also give your kitchen a very professional, contemporary look. Unfortunately, stainless will show scratches easily. Be sure to install with a solid sub-layer to help avoid dents. Stainless isn’t cheap either. Prices range from $100 to $200 per square foot. Solid Surface Solid Surface countertops have a lot of great benefits. They are available in a wide range of colors and patterns including stone like finishes. Any countertop seams can be eliminated or hidden. Solid Surfaces are non-porous meaning you won’t need to seal (and reseal) them to protect against stains or germs. The finish can scratch but can usually be removed with buffing and sanding. And the price start around $45 per square foot. Tile Ceramic or Porcelain tile is another countertop option. Tiles are inexpensive and available in many different colors and patterns. While tile can withstand high heat, they are prone to cracking and chipping if your not careful. Be sure to seal the grout or it will quickly become discolored. Prices are low, starting around $10 per square foot. Concrete Many modern kitchens are beginning to incorporate concrete countertops. They can be dyed and textured to many different styles. Concrete is somewhat stain and heat resistant depending on what type of sealer is applied. And be sure to reapply it on a regular basis. Pick an experienced installer else cracks can develop down the road. Prices are higher ranging from $60 to $120 per square foot. Limestone Limestone is another natural stone look available in many colors. The hardness depends on the variety chosen. But all withstand heat very well. Limestone is very porous meaning it can stain even when properly sealed. Prices start around $60 and go as high as $100 per square foot. Marble Marble is available in many different colors and will look great. But it’s tough to keep it that way. It’s more porous (like Limestone) making it less stain resistant even with regular sealing. Marble is not heat resistant either. And to top it off, scratches easily. Combined with high prices ($50 to $100), it doesn’t seem like a good investment. Quartz (Silestone) Quartz is a very hard material (harder than some granite) available in many natural colors. It’s a non-porous material which prevents stains without sealant and makes it easy to clean. It’s heat resistant so feel free to put hot pans right on the countertop. Be careful around corners as they can chip. Prices are mid-ranged from $50 to $100 per square foot. A lot of these countertops require a sealant (and reapplication over time). I’ve always used Stone Care sealant and it works great. It’s quick and easy to apply and didn’t change any of the colors.
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