Countertops are the essential working space in any kitchen. Choosing the best kitchen countertop for you will come down to your style and what you plan to do with them. Meanwhile, you will want to get the best affordable option. Most people consider the best kitchen countertop for them based on its aesthetic, durability, ease of maintenance, and affordability. Therefore, we have outlined the pros and cons of each material.
Aesthetic, meaning how the countertop looks, is your first stop. Are you going for a particular look, such as wood or stone? Butcher blocks are a unique choice if you want to go for a more vintage-looking kitchen. Meanwhile, stone countertops offer a more classic, modern look. Consider the direction you’re going with your kitchen remodel. That will help inform your countertop and backsplash design.
The durability of your countertop choice will depend on how long you expect it to last. For example, are you an avid baker or cook? In that case, a cheap laminate countertop won’t help you, as you’ll have to replace it again after a few years. In addition, if you plan to overhang the countertop for seating, make sure the countertop is thick enough to prevent it from snapping. You’ll want a thickness of at least 3cm for overhang.
Ease of cleaning is usually a top priority for people, but not always. For example, while butcher blocks and granite look beautiful, they require regular sealing. Some companies do offer pre-sealed granite, but it tends to be more expensive. Consider this if you are updating the countertops for a rental property. Your tenants will not maintain your countertops as well as you would.
Of course, the price of the countertop is going to be important. Countertops are sold by the square footage, plus the cost of delivery and installation. You can expect to pay as little as $20 per square foot for laminate and as much as $225 for quartz or granite tops. Your average kitchen will have around 30 square feet of countertop. If you choose to put the material on the backsplash as well, which will add to your total square footage depending on the height of your cabinets. You will likely pay between $600-$6,750 for your material. Roughly double that cost, and you’ll have your labor and shipping. Many contractors provide financing options if you cannot afford the top you want.
In our experience, most people choose to go with a stone top. Not only are stone tops in style, but they also last a long time and require less maintenance than other options. Typically when we do a kitchen remodel, we install granite, quartz, or sometimes solid surface.
Granite is a staple for many kitchen remodeling companies for several reasons. Not only does granite have great aesthetics, it is durable and readily available. It’s an excellent choice if you want your kitchen to have the appeal of natural stone. The biggest drawback is that it can be porous and require occasional maintenance because it is a natural material. Some varieties can also be a little on the expensive side, which could push your kitchen to remodel over your original budget.
Quartz offers the same qualities as granite but with a little more durability. In addition, it has an outstanding natural appearance that can elevate your kitchen designs and needs less maintenance than its granite counterpart. The catch? Quartz usually comes with a high price tag. However, quartz can be a worthwhile investment for homeowners looking to upgrade their kitchens.
A solid surface countertop is an acrylic. Solid surface countertops are durable and resemble the look of stone; however, they can withstand damage with misuse. The good news is they are reparable. In addition, the manufacturer will give you the cut-out from the sink should you need to repair a knick or scratch, which they will fix for you.
Choosing the best kitchen countertop depends on your style, durability, ease of cleaning, and affordability. Most people go with a stone top, which lasts the longest, but it is the pricer option. More affordable options include solid surface tops, which are less durable. Should you choose a countertop choice that is out of your price range, many companies offer financing to get your project started.
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