Choosing the best kitchen countertop design for your home is an important decision. The right kitchen countertop can change the look of your space entirely.
A light-colored countertop makes the space look lighter and more airy and open; a dark-colored countertop is sleek, dramatic, and sophisticated. A warm natural color is rustic and inviting, while cooler colors look elegant and refined.
However, the color of your countertop is only part of your decision; you need to know about the different types of kitchen countertop materials.
Granite countertops are made of natural stone. Granite is one of the best materials for kitchen countertops because it is extremely heat resistant.
You can put hot pots and pans directly on granite without worrying about hurting it. Granite is also difficult to scratch or chip, and the natural veining looks beautiful in any home.
However, granite is a naturally porous material, so it needs to be sealed. Granite countertops will need resealing on a regular basis, but the frequency varies.
Your fabricator will help you with a sealing schedule for your granite kitchen countertops. But other than periodic sealing, granite countertops are highly durable and look incredible, making them one of the best kitchen countertop design choices.
If you want an elegant, old-world charm in your kitchen, a marble countertop might be the best kitchen countertop design for you. Marble countertops look like nothing else; their warm, natural luminance produces an atmosphere of luxury that no other stone can match.
However, marble does have higher care needs than other types of countertops. It is quite soft and scratches easily. While scratches can usually be buffed out, this is something to keep in mind.
Marble also stains easily because of how soft and porous it is, so you need to clean up any spills immediately. Marble countertops require gentle cleaning products, too, because anything acidic can cause etching.
Like granite, it needs to be sealed regularly. But if you’re willing to keep up with the demands, you will have a stunning, beautiful countertop.
Many home design professionals think quartz is the best material for kitchen countertops because of its extreme durability, relatively low weight, and variety of colors and designs.
Unlike granite and marble, quartz is an engineered stone. It’s made of powdered quartz mixed with pigments and resin, giving it unparalleled durability and damage resistance.
The pigmentation process means that there are far more color options than other types of kitchen countertop materials; here at Wise Stone Choice, we can show you dozens of options in natural colors, dazzling monochromes, and rich, exotic hues.
The hardest part of designing with quartz is choosing which color is your favorite!
Not to be confused with quartz countertops, quartzite countertops are made from natural stone– not an engineered material. Quartzite is a tough, dense material that is harder than steel, so scratches aren’t much of a concern.
It is also resistant to heat and acid etching, making it the perfect choice for kitchen use.
Like all natural stones, quartzite is porous, so it needs to be sealed. Otherwise, it can absorb liquids and stains. But if sealed properly, quartzite countertops will look beautiful for a very long time.
At Wise Stone Choice, we want you to be completely satisfied knowing that you’ve chosen the best kitchen countertop design for your home.
That’s why we think it’s important to know about the different types of kitchen countertops we offer.
If you’re building or renovating in the Fort Wayne area, contact us today for a free quote for your project.