What Are the Best Countertops for Your Kitchen?

Posted On March 29, 2016

Countertops are some of the most important parts of any kitchen. While they sometimes don’t make as big a statement as the cabinets and walls, they can enhance the overall design and—more importantly—functionality of the room.

What are the best kitchen countertops? It’s a fair question (one we, and other remodeling companies, hear quite often), but when it comes down to it, there is no single answer. It’s not about choosing the best countertops—it’s about choosing the right countertops. What are the right countertops for your kitchen? It depends on a few different factors, such as your:

Aesthetic preference/taste
Needs/lifestyle
Space (other parts of the kitchen—floors, cabinetry, etc.)
Budget

Below is a quick guide on your different countertop options. Consider these as you start planning your kitchen remodeling project.

Kitchen Countertops: Your Options

Granite

One of the most popular countertop materials, granite is durable and attractive, available in different color variations. It is resistant to scorching and scratching and is a good material for busy kitchens. Granite is great and doesn’t require much upkeep, but it will need to be periodically resealed.

Quartz

Another widely installed type of countertop, quartz is part natural, part manmade. Quartz countertops are extremely tough and durable—and they require hardly any maintenance. Like granite, occasional resealing may be needed.

Marble

Marble is one of the most beautiful countertops but also one of the most expensive. It isn’t as resistant to scratching, staining, and scorching. If you like the unique look of marble, however, there are other options that can mimic the appearance but don’t carry the high price tag.

Solid Surface

Although they scratch pretty easily, solid surface countertops come in a variety of colors and patterns and can be made virtually seamless. We recommend always using cutting boards on this type of countertop.

Butcher block

Butcher block is a popular type of wood countertop. Although these countertops can easily be stained, scorched, and scratched, they do provide that distinctive warm look only wood can provide. And the good news is that nicks and scratches can be sanded out.

What Countertop Is Right for Your Kitchen?

These are by no means your only choices—but they are some of the most popular. Your remodeling team will discuss your needs, lifestyle, and priorities so you can narrow down your options. If you want more of a visual impact and don’t care about maintenance or cost, marble may be a good option. If you want low-maintenance countertops that are easy to clean, quartz or stainless steel are better options.

One of our clients wanted to stay eco-friendly but needed a tough material for a very busy, child-friendly kitchen. Our solution? A countertop material fabricated from post-consumer waste paper and a resin made from cashew nutshell liquid. It functions much like honed granite and has proven very resilient and durable.

View our kitchen gallery and contact our award-winning team to discuss your remodel in Washington, DC, Maryland, or Northern Virginia!