Pros and cons of 7 most used materials for kitchen countertops
There are some most common used materials for kitchen countertops, Wood or stone, composite or metal? The choice of material can seem never-ending, but it’s worth taking the time to get the right one.
Your kitchen countertops will be used for preparing, serving and potentially dining and will need to withstand regular, intensive cleaning.
They’re a natural focal point in your kitchen, complementing the units and flooring you choose, and have become a key part of the design process.
You’re going to be interacting with them multiple times a day, so it’s important to choose a style you like the look of, as well as a surface that will suit your lifestyle.
Here are the pros and cons of the main materials on the market today.
Granite
Granite is one of the most popular choices for kitchen countertops. It’s stylish, beautiful and is associated with luxurious kitchen schemes.
Pros:
- Hard-wearing
- Heat resistant
- Antibacterial
- Easy to clean
Cons:
- Very heavy
- Expensive
Quartz
Quartz is a man-made alternative to traditional stone worktops like granite. Employing industrial techniques, natural quartz is fortified with resin to create a truly hard-wearing and customizable worktop.
Pros:
- Hard-wearing
- Antibacterial
- Easy to clean
- Unrestricted range of color
Cons:
- Very heavy
- A little bit Expensive
Quartz has become more and more popular these years, GS QUARTZ STONE LTD offers quality and cheap quartz countertops of more than 100 colors for your choice, there must be one that fits your kitchen well.
Hard wood
Whether you are after a contemporary or traditional kitchen, Hardwood is a great solution, as long as you are willing to put the work into its maintenance.
Pros:
- Cheaper than stone options
- Variety of wood grains and colors
- Antibacterial if maintained
- Looks great with age
Cons:
- Requires bi-annual maintenance
- Can become stained
- Can scratch
Laminate
Laminate is a cost effective and versatile worktop solution and has become the most popular option on the market.
Pros:
- Cheap
- Antibacterial
- Can be made to look like more expensive materials
- Easy to maintain
- Easy to clean
- Hard-wearing, scratch and heat-resistant
- Suits any style of kitchen, from contemporary to classic
Cons:
Poor quality options can…
- Peel
- Burn or even melt
- Scratch and become unhygienic
Glass
Glass has only recently been introduced to the work surface market. It is stylish, versatile and works perfectly in a contemporary design.
Pros:
- Can be made in any size or shape
- Easy to clean and hygienic
- Extremely durable
- Heat resistant
- Limitless range of colors
- Looks modern, stylish and sleek
Cons:
- Expensive
- Needs frequent cleaning
Solid surface composite
Solid surface countertops are made by applying an acrylic resin to the top of a substrate material like wood. They create a seamless, glossy worktop that fits perfectly into a contemporary design.
Pros:
- Heat and scratch resistant
- Seamless
- Stain resistant
- Can be molded into any shape
Cons:
- Expensive
These solid surface materials are great for modern kitchens. They are heat and scratch resistant to a point, but can’t compete with solid stone or quartz. Although the resin exterior is waterproof, if any water gets within the substrate material, it can cause irreparable damage.
Stainless steel
Stainless steel is the go-to worktop material in the commercial kitchen sector.
Pros:
- Strong and durable
- Naturally antibacterial
- Easy to clean
- Water proof
- Heat and acid resistant
- Very light
Cons:
- Cold
- Clinical
- Difficult to integrate into large areas