Kitchen Forum FAQ

There are lots of options for kitchen countertops other than granite, Corian and laminate. We’ve listed some pros and cons for all these materials.

1. Granite

Granite is a natural stone. Many people love granite for its natural beauty.
Pros: elegant; holds up to heat; comes in beautiful colors
Cons: very expensive; requires periodic sealing; absorbs stains; can crack

2. Engineered Stone (Quartz)

Engineered stone is man-made and is composed of 93% quartz particles. Many people love it for its durability.
Pros: Easy care (doesn’t require sealing); large range of colors; nonporous surface; stain resistant; resists scratches
Cons: Expensive; not as natural-looking as granite
Brands: DuPont Zodiaq®, LG Viatera®, Cambria Quartz, Silestone®, CaesarStone®

3. Solid Surface (Acrylic)

Solid surface counters are made from….
Pros: comes in a rainbow of colors and patterns; seamless; solid so stains can be sanded out
Cons: heat can damage the surface; can be moderately expensive.
Brands: Avonite®, Corian®, Hi_Macs®, Swanstone®

4. Ceramic Tile

Ceramic tile is durable and easy to clean. Add to that inexpensive and you’ve got a really good choice for countertops for the average home. Because it’s installed a section at a time, it can be done by most resourceful homeowners.
Pros: can be inexpensive; heat resistant; cleans easily
Cons: tiles can chip or crack; surface is uneven; grout lines become stained

5. Laminate

Laminate counters are made from …..
Pros: lots of colors; easy to maintain; durable; inexpensive.
Cons: scratches and chips almost impossible to repair; seams can be highly visible
Brands: Formica®, Wilsonart®

6. Wood/Butcher Block

Wood countertops…..
Pros: easy to clean; smooth; can be sanded and resealed
Cons: can be damaged by water and stains; scratches must be oiled or sealed

7. Stainless Steel

Stainless steel countertops……
Pros: heat resistant; durable; easy to clean.
Cons: expensive; may dent

8. Soapstone

Soapstone is a natural material.
Pros: heat and stain resistant; smooth feel; nonporous; able to defrost frozen items and cool hot items
Cons: some types may scratch/dent easily; requires regular maintenance with applications of mineral oil; available in dark colors only

9. Marble

Pros: waterproof; heatproof; beautiful.
Cons: expensive; porous; stains easily unless professionally sealed; can scratch; may need resealing periodically

10. Limestone

Pros: xxx
Cons: expensive

11. Concrete

Pros: heat and scratch resistant; can be color-tinted; looks exotic and unusual; new treatments eliminate cracking; additives reduce porosity; new finishes are more decorative.
Cons: expensive due to custom work; cracking is possible; can look somewhat industrial; porous but can be sealed.

12. Copper

Pros: xxx
Cons: expensive

13. Richlite

Pros: xxx
Cons: expensive

14. Slate

Pros: xxx
Cons: expensive