7 Major Types of Kitchen Countertops with Pros and Cons

Posted by Carol Payto on July 29th, 2015

Kitchen is called the heart of the home, and thus it constitutes the most important part of our home. Surely, when it comes to the construction of kitchen it is always good not to cut corners because the quality of the food cooked in the kitchen for your family greatly depends upon the quality of products used in the construction of your kitchen. Countertop provides the work area in the kitchen, and hence it assumes great importance in kitchen design. It is advisable to choose the kitchen countertop that best suits your requirements and complements your kitchen design.

Today, there are many types of kitchen countertops available in the market. It becomes quite difficult for a common man to decide which type of countertop to choose for their kitchen. We have mentioned here 7 major types of kitchen countertops with their pros and cons, so that it would become convenient for you to determine which one is the best for your purpose:

LAMINATE COUNTERTOPS

About: The laminate kitchen countertops are usually composed of laminate material that is pasted over a surface made of pressed wood.

Pros: Easy installation procedure; Available in a wide variety of colors; Provides good customization options; Looks elegant and trendy; No need for sealing or refinishing; Affordable

Cons: Vulnerable to scratches and chips; Less durable; Irreparable; Low heat tolerance; Short life (usually 10-15 years)

ENGINEERED QUARTZ COUNTERTOPS

About: Engineered quartz kitchen countertops are made by combining ground quartz with resins and pigments; the proportion of quartz particles is 93% and that of resins and pigments is 7%.

Pros: Good durability; Stain resistant; Non-porous; Available in many colors; Contemporary look; Also available in natural stones imitation designs

Cons: Heat sensitivity; UV rays exposure might fade it; Lacks natural stones traditional look; Expensive

RECYCLED GLASS COUNTERTOPS

About: Recycled glass kitchen countertops are a combination of recycled glass (taken from various sources), adhesives, and industrial pigments and dyes.

Pros: Heat resistant to a fair degree; Stain resistant; Non-porous; Easy to maintain; Contemporary designs; Available in a variety of colors and patterns; Eco-friendly

Cons: Susceptible to breakage; Requires great care; Surface might spoil if strong detergent is used for cleaning; Water spots and finger prints are more visible on them; Irreparable

GRANITE COUNTERTOPS

About: Granite kitchen countertops are made from granite which is one of the hardest found rocks in nature. Granite kitchen countertops are the most popular in their class.

Pros: High durability; High heat, stain and scratch resistance; Available in a multitude of colors, patterns, and designs; Convenient to maintain; Suitable for both traditional and contemporary usage; Lasts for a lifetime

Cons: Requires proper sealing; Porous; Costly

PRECIOUS STONE COUNTERTOPS

About: These countertops are fabricated by using precious stones with resins and special epoxy binders.

Pros: Royal or luxurious look; Attractive; Available in vibrant colors; Contemporary designs

Cons: Might fade-out if exposed to UV rays; Visible inconsistencies at several places on the slab; Very expensive

STAINLESS STEEL COUNTERTOPS

About: Steel kitchen countertops are made from heavy-duty stainless steel. They were earlier popular for professional kitchens, but nowadays they are being used in home kitchens as well.

Pros: Stain proof; Heat resistant; No sealing required; Easy to maintain; Contemporary

Cons: Vulnerable to scratches; It may get dented; Appears dull to many homeowners; Expensive

CERAMIC TILE COUNTERTOPS

About: Ceramic tile kitchen countertops are made by using clay tiles that are hardened in industrial furnaces.

Pros: Easy to install; Easy maintenance; Available in a variety of colors; Contemporary and elegant look; Provide good scope for customization; Not much expensive

Cons: Might develop a crack if a heavy object drops over; Irreparable; Grout joints may accumulate dirt; Grouting may come out after some time; Not very even surface

We hope that the above mentioned information about the seven major varieties of kitchen countertops in use these days may help you in choosing the countertop that is best suited for your kitchen.

MONT GRANITE, INC. is a one stop shop for a wide variety of kitchen countertops, bathroom countertops, and natural surfaces. They deal in high quality products, which are priced reasonably. Their product range includes precious stone countertops, natural quartz countertops, quartz countertops, granite kitchen countertops, and recycled glass countertops, to name a few.

You may view their entire product range by visiting http://www.montgranite.com/