Thinking About New Kitchen Countertops? Here’s What You Need to Know

When you walk into your kitchen, do you smile or grimace? If your kitchen needs a dramatic makeover, consider replacing your countertops.

New countertops can increase your enjoyment of the space and can add equity to your home. Not all home renovations have the same return on investment, but replacing outdated countertops is a smart way to add value.

So, how do you choose the right material and design for your kitchen? In this article, we’ll discuss what you should consider when selecting your material. Then, we’ll give an overview of the most popular countertop options.

Countertop considerations

Before you visit a showroom, you should think about your needs and your lifestyle. Do you cook often? Do you have children? What’s your budget? What styles appeal to you?

Families that spend a lot of time in the kitchen, especially if they have children, may benefit from a more durable material. It’s helpful to know which materials will meet your needs before you schedule a showroom visit.

It’s also smart to establish your budget before you start browsing a showroom or you risk falling in love with a slab that’s too expensive. After that, it’s hard to find a different material in your price range that can top it.

You should also consider how much maintenance you’re willing to do. Many natural stones need to be resealed periodically. In a large kitchen with a lot of countertop space, this can be a time-consuming process. Some countertops have very minimal maintenance and may be better suited to busy families.

Stone countertops come in endless varieties. No two pieces are exactly the same, so you should not try to choose a natural stone countertop from a small sample piece. The countertop experts at Alpha Surfaces will help you pick the exact slab that will be perfect in your kitchen.

Choosing your material

Each material has its own unique properties. Alpha Surfaces installs a variety of materials to suit any lifestyle and décor.

Granite

Granite is the most popular natural stone for countertops, and for a good reason. The stone is beautiful and comes in a wide variety of colors and patterns. It’s easy to find a slab of granite to match any kitchen because it comes in blacks, whites, greens, corals, and beiges.

You can get your granite countertop in a variety of finishes, including polished or honed (matte). Granite is a hard stone, so it’s a durable choice for high-use kitchens. However, it is naturally porous. Owners need to reseal the stone at least once a year. Resealing keeps the countertop waterproof and prevents staining.

Marble

Marble has been used for centuries. If you want a classic, elegant kitchen, marble might be the right choice for you. Some varieties can be costly, but a discerning homeowner can find a beautiful slab for a more affordable price.

Marble is softer than granite, so it’s more susceptible to scratches and etching. Make sure that you always use a cutting board with natural stone counters, especially marble.

The stone is also more porous than other stones, so you must stay on top of resealing it. If water beads up on the surface, the seal is sufficient. If beads of water absorb into the countertop, then it’s time to reseal.

Even with meticulous sealing, marble often develops a patina over time. Many owners love this unique characteristic, but it’s not for everyone.

Porcelain

Many people think of porcelain as a material for bathrooms, but it also makes a great kitchen countertop. Made from China clay, porcelain is extremely durable. The clay is fired in a kiln which makes it super strong, completely nonporous, heatproof, and resistant to scratches, chips, and cracks.

Porcelain is very low-maintenance, so it’s an excellent choice for busy families who use their kitchens heavily. You don’t need to reseal it, and it will still resist staining.

Porcelain is manmade, so it comes in a variety of styles and colors. The most significant downside of porcelain is that the design is only on the surface. It’s rare, but if it does chip, the exposed portion will not match the surface.

Quartz

Like porcelain, quartz is a manmade material. Most varieties contain 90-95% ground quartz mixed with resins, polymers, and pigments. The resins in quartz make it slightly less heat-resistant than other stones. It’s best to use a hot pad to protect the surface.

Quartz is a very hard, low-maintenance material. Since it’s nonporous, quartz does not need to be resealed. It’s also easy to clean and antimicrobial, which makes it a great option for high-use kitchens and busy families.

Quartz is a popular option because it comes in a large variety of colors and patterns. You can choose from several finishes, including polished, honed, and textured.

Quartzite

Although the name is similar to quartz, quartzite is a very different material. Quartzite is a naturally occurring stone. It’s created when soapstone is subjected to extreme heat and pressure.

Most often, quartzite comes in the white to gray shade range. Of the popular natural countertop materials, quartzite is the hardest. It withstands heat very well. Like other natural stones, it does need to be resealed once or twice each year. Cleanup is quick and easy when the stone is properly sealed.

Soapstone

Soapstone is softer than granite, so you should always use a cutting board to avoid scratches. The stone is dense and nonporous so it won’t stain, and you do not have to reseal it.

Often, sealants contain harsh chemicals. Many people feel that soapstone is more environmentally friendly than other stone options because it does not need to be resealed to maintain it.

Unlike marble, soapstone can withstand acidic substances like citrus juice and chemical cleaners. However, it comes clean easily, so chemical cleaners are usually unnecessary. It’s also very heat-resistant, so you don’t have to use hot pads.

The colors for soapstone are beautiful but limited. The stone comes in various shades of gray, sometimes with green or blue undertones. It also darkens over time, developing a more beautiful character the longer you live with it.

Choose your perfect countertop

Once you have an idea about which material would best meet your needs and aesthetic preferences, schedule a meeting with Alpha Surfaces. Remember that every stone is unique, so we’ll work together to find the perfect slab for your kitchen countertop.