11 Jul A Homeowner’s Guide to Incredible Countertops

Quartz, composite, stainless steel, marble, granite, and butcher block all deliver as incredible countertops in today’s modern kitchens. Each one has its attributes in terms of looks and performance. Depending on your sense of style and design, these countertops are, well, tops! 

However, with so many options, choosing incredible countertops for your home can be a bit overwhelming. That’s why we’ve designed our homeowners’ guide to incredible countertops. This guide for the Quad Cities homeowner takes the guesswork out of things like functionality, durability, and maintenance requirements. Let Seiffert Building Supplies help you decide on the most incredible countertops for your home.

What to Consider When Choosing Incredible Countertops for Your Home

When it comes to defining the style of your home, and particularly the kitchen, cabinets and countertops make a statement. With so many different, incredible countertops to choose from, finding the one that’s right for your home involves considering many factors in addition to looks. Here, we begin with the basics to help you narrow your search for incredible countertops.

• Placement: Consider where your countertop will go. Will it be in a seldom-used guest bathroom? Highly visible kitchen island? Busy powder room? If your countertop is prominent in your home, such as in the kitchen, where guests congregate, or in a frequently used powder room, you’ll want something that looks beautiful and is highly durable.
• Maintenance: Frequent wipe-downs are one thing, but a countertop that needs special attention all too often can be taxing. Consider how maintenance-free your counter should be.
• Aesthetics: Obviously, you want countertops that are as aesthetically pleasing as the rest of your home. Make sure your countertops echo your home’s decor. Stainless steel, no matter how durable, may not complement a country French or clean and open farmhouse aesthetic. 
• Use: Are you an avid home chef who’s more apt to spill your signature sauce? Do you sometimes forget to put protection beneath a scalding pan bottom? Look for a stain-free and heat-proof material for your countertop. 

Use these factors to guide you in your selection, and you’ll be able to choose the right countertops for your home.

The Most Durable and Low-Maintenance Incredible Countertops

Quartz

Today’s quartz countertops are an engineered stone made from a composite of pulverized quartz and polymer resins. This combination creates a highly durable and low-maintenance product. Pigments are also added to create the color you want. That means your options are virtually endless. 

Because these incredible countertops are non-porous, they’re easy to clean and bacteria resistant. However, they are not as heat resistant as some other options, so always take care with hot pans.

Incredible Countertops of Solid Surface

Solid surface countertops have been around for decades, and they only keep improving. These polymer resin and acrylic countertops are impervious to stains and scratches are easily buffed away. They are highly heat resistant; however, they aren’t heatproof, so caution is still required. They are low-maintenance and keep their good looks for years.

Granite

Considered a classic in the world of incredible countertops, highly durable granite has a unique aesthetic. With distinctive gradations and patterns in the stone, no two countertops are the same. Granite is 100% natural stone and about as heat-resistant as you can get in a countertop material. But granite is also porous, so maintenance is crucial. Regular sealing is necessary to prevent stains. 

Marble

Marble countertops offer an elegant and luxurious aesthetic. It’s unique with distinctive veining patterns, and it’s also extremely functional for the home chef. The surface remains cool, so rolling out dough, kneading bread, or simply prepping your meal is effortless. Marble is highly porous, so regular sealing is a must. It also tends to scratch and stain as it is a much softer surface.

Soapstone

Soapstone is another natural stone surface popular in Europe for kitchen countertops. The smooth surface is heat-resistant and stain-resistant, and develops a beautiful natural patina over time. Soapstone is softer than other natural stones, so it may chip or scratch easily. 

Unique Countertops

When designing a modern kitchen or bathroom, there are a few unique options you may want to consider.

Incredible Countertops Using Concrete

This material is gaining in popularity at a rapid pace. You can customize the color, imprint unique patterns, and create a finish to complement your home. Concrete is affordable, durable, and highly heat-resistant. But it does require frequent maintenance, as it is necessary to seal these countertops to prevent staining. 

Glass

Recycled glass is a great, earth-friendly option for your incredible countertops. This composite of glass and resin is heat resistant and durable, but it does require regular sealing and can chip or crack pretty easily. 

Stainless Steel

This material is the favorite of professional chefs. It’s durable, heat resistant, stain resistant, and non-porous, so bacteria isn’t an issue. But it does have a very unique appeal and can look somewhat industrial. 

Incredible Countertops That Don’t Bust Your Budget

Finally, we look at some budget-friendly options that are tried and trusted.

Laminate

Not your mother’s Formica anymore, today’s laminate countertops mimic the look of natural stone, quartz, and other costlier materials. Because it is man-made, laminate comes in countless colors, styles, patterns, and finishes. It’s easy to maintain, but it can scratch and show heat marks easily. 

Butcher Block

Butcher block is a classic, no doubt. Strips of real wood are bound together to reinforce durability and then finished to your liking. The result is warm and incredible countertops that evoke a timeless country-cozy aesthetic. Proper care promotes durability and prevents damage from moisture, heat, scratches, and stains. Keep your butcher block countertops looking good with regular oiling. 

For a full selection of incredible countertops, please contact Seiffert Building Supplies.   

Image: Pixabay