The kitchen countertop bears the weight of all our cooking, cutting and cleaning activities. It has to be sturdy and strong but at the same time, it must look nice. The kitchen countertop works as a frame of the kitchen. If it looks odd or out of place, then it will ruin the entire kitchen décor.
Thankfully, the modern homeowners can get their hands on a variety of kitchen countertop materials. Each of the different kitchen countertop material offers some special quality to the user. With so many different options available, choosing the right material for kitchen counter can be a bit confusing. Homeowners should evaluate the pros and cons of the available options and select a countertop that suits their budget and requirements.
Kitchen countertops made with soapstone:
Soapstone is becoming popular due to its sturdiness and stain resistance capacity. Often food, sauce, oil and hot water spill on the kitchen countertop and leave mark on the material. The soapstone slabs are naturally stain resistant and keeps bacterial infection at bay. These qualities make it a good choice for the urban kitchen. It is a bit costlier than the other materials, as it would cost you around $80 to $100 for every square foot.
Poured concrete:
Poured concrete is another fine material for kitchen countertop, which lasts long and offers organic beauty to your kitchen. This is a sturdy material but the sealant, used to make it stronger, is not resistant to heat. Therefore, the homeowners should not directly chop or put hot pans and pots on it. Users can tint the poured concrete according to their desires or needs.
Butcher Block:
The butcher block is an eco-friendly countertop option that requires some maintenance. The good thing about butcher’s block is that it lends the kitchens a homely elegance. As wood is a comparatively softer material, always use a cutting board for chopping. Clean the butcher’s block once in a month using dishwashing soap or gel and soft piece of cloth. It is an inexpensive countertop option.
Copper kitchen countertops:
The copper kitchen countertops are for those who like unconventional home décor. The copper kitchen countertops look great and with time change tint to a reddish brown, due to copper’s reaction with the elements in the air and water. It will cost you around $100 per square foot.
Marble kitchen countertops:
Marble offers a unique and classic look to your kitchen. It is suitable for the elegant all white kitchens. Marble has great variety but it is softer than granite so users have to be cautious about scratches. Marble kitchen countertops will cost you around $70 to $100 per square foot.
Stainless steel countertops:
Stainless steel is probably the most user-friendly kitchen countertop material. Stainless steel is heat resistant and does not stain. The pro chefs recommend stainless steel as it is easy to clean and maintain. Stainless steel is scratch resistant and you can directly chop on it. It will cost you around $90 for the installation of each square foot of kitchen countertop.
Recycled glass kitchen countertops:
Recycled glass is eco-friendly and offers nice range of variety in color and texture. They can last for up to 50 years, if maintained with care. You need to seal it once in every few years. It is a bit costly, so you must consider your budget before opting for it.
Quartz kitchen countertop:
Quartz is a good kitchen countertop material, which is scratch resistant and quite uncommon. It is available in many different hues and offers a unique look to your kitchen.
Summary:
There are plenty of different kitchen countertop materials available in the market. Choose the one that offers longevity and fits your budget.
