Are you new to countertops and don’t know where to begin?
Well, you’ve come to the right place because in this post, I’ll be going over all the important aspects of a countertop.
This way you know exactly what to look for before you make a purchase.
So, let’s get straight into this!
Table of Contents
What are countertops?
A countertop or worktop as it’s also referred to is a flat surface that is used to be worked on, typically used in a kitchen to prepare food. Countertops can also be used in other areas such as laboratories or bathrooms and general workrooms.
Why would people want a countertop?
Countertops are there to provide a stable working surface. Allowing you to prepare food, engage in art and crafts projects, you can install a sink within or on top of them. The list of countertop uses goes on and on.
Simply put, they provide a hard, durable surface for you to work on.
What is sealing countertops?
Sealing countertops prevents liquids from seeping into the countertop and damaging it. Causing the countertop to split, stain, and rot depending on the type of countertop.
By sealing your countertop, you give it more life, allowing it to serve you longer and helps it to look as good as when you first installed it.
The type of sealer you need all depends on the type of countertop you have. Sealers can come in various forms, the main one being a spray that you rub into the worktop.
What does porous mean?
Porous in countertops means there are pores within the worktop that allow liquids to seep in. Also allowing air and bacteria to go beyond the surface. Causing the countertop to have a reduced lifetime. It will darken, split and even rot depending on the material.
Non-porous countertops are sealed and prevent liquids, air, and bacteria from penetrating the surface.
Types of countertops
In this section, I’ll be covering the pros and cons of different countertops, their color options, and what their maintenance and price are like.
Granite
The most notable thing about granite countertops is how stunning they look. You’ve probably seen them in shows where there’s a middle-class family and they have beautiful granite countertops.
When you walk into a room, they’re the visual centerpiece and talking point.
Granite is a very hard material, making it incredibly difficult to scratch. However, if you’re cutting directly on them, you can quickly dull your knife. It’s incredibly heat resistant, so you can place hot pans on top without damaging the countertop.
Granite is also resistant to stains, so if you spill curry on there, you can easily clean it.
Granite is very porous so you need to seal it so you can get its spill resistant abilities. It’s worth keeping in mind that a sealed granite countertop can last 10 years without needing to be resealed.
You can get over 20 shades of granite, allowing it to fit your taste.
You can expect to pay over $100 per square foot for the countertop. So it’s pretty pricey.
Quartz
Quartz are an incredibly durable countertop that are made for kitchens and bathrooms. You can get them in so many colors like black, white, cream and the list goes on.
Quartz is different from granite as granite is a stone and quartz has been modified.
Quartz is a hard crystal material, it’s one of the most abundant materials in the world. It’s mined and then grounded into small pieces and then mixed with other materials which hold it together.
At the end, giving it a rich, elegant look. Giving it a similar appearance to marble. You can get a matt quartz or a polished quartz.
Quartz countertops are easy to clean. The surface is non-porous, so no liquids are able to penetrate the surface. You can pretty much get rid of anything on the surface with a damp cloth and wiping it down.
You can also place a hot pan on the surface without any issues.
Quartz countertops are more expensive than the majority of countertops out there. However, they can easily last you decades so they may be the last countertops you’ll need.
Laminate
Laminate countertops are an affordable option that still looks stylish in your kitchen. Sure, they won’t be the same type of eye candy that quartz and granite countertops are. But they’ve come a long way..
Laminate countertops used to be seen as cheap and tacky. However, they’ve improved dramatically over the years.
You can get them in a bunch of different colors and styles. They’re also very easy to clean, just get a damp cloth and wipe it down.
Laminate countertops are DIY friendly, they’re not super difficult to install. Saving you money on having to hire someone.
Unfortunately, you can’t put a hot pan on there or else it will burn and it’s not easy to repair. And they won’t last as long as quartz and granite countertops.
Concrete
Concrete countertops are incredibly strong, as you’d expect. However, concrete countertops can crack, unless you add some fiber reinforcement or mesh to protect it.
But a cracked concrete countertop is pretty simple to fix.
Even after you’ve sealed the concrete countertop, it’s susceptible to stains and shows markings. This is a common complaint amongst homeowners.
But hey, you might like that rustic look.
SInce it’s concrete, they can be made to fit exactly what you want. Even though it’s concrete, you can still customise it with different styles and colors, albeit limited.
They can be pretty cost effective if you DIY it. However, buying it can be pretty expensive, on par with natural counter stones.
Since it’s going to be incredibly heavy, you need incredibly strong cabinet frames and floors.
What it’s like living with a concrete countertop:
Recycled glass
Recycled glass countertops are amazing looking and eco friendly, they’re also fairly new on the market.
There are 2 types of glass countertops. The first is the crushed glass being encased in an acrylic seal. Or the crushed glass is encased in concrete,
Glass countertops come in so many colors and will make your kitchen pop with color. No 2 pieces of glass are crushed the same. They all have their own unique shape and you can pair them with different colors.
Glass countertops are non-porous so you don’t have to worry about liquid breaching the surface. They’re very durable and don’t chip easily, they’re also very easy to clean. Since you’re dealing with recycled glass, they’re eco-friendly.
Crushed glass worktops are fairly expensive but they still cost less than quartz and marble. They are strong but if you put too much weight on the corner, it could snap.
Also, you should not put hot items on there like a hot pan, this could stain the glass.
Butcher block
Butcher block countertops are a thick slab of straight cut wood. They provide a very sturdy and strong work surface.
They’re a very warm and rustic looking countertop, something that you’d have in a cozy house. Butcher blocks can be made from pretty much any type of wood including maple which is one of the most popular choices out there because of its durability.
You can also go for a cherry or oak, they provide a nice deep, rich color. Heck, you can even have butcher blocks made from bamboo.
Butcher blocks do need to be sealed in order to avoid cracking and accumulating bacteria.
They do require more maintenance than the average worktop. You’ll need to oil it at least every 6 months. However, this all depends on the amount of use. You’ll need to check with the manufacturer regarding its maintenance.
Before you begin oiling it, you can sand it down to get rid of any scratches and burns.
The price depends on the type of wood and grain type you’re going for. Butcher blocks are fairly pricey, so be willing to pay a premium.
Marble
Marble is one of the most popular types of countertops out there. It pretty much takes the cake when it comes to kitchen surfaces in movies and TV shows.
People usually think of a white surface when it comes to marble but there are hundreds of colors out there for you to choose from. However, it is recommended that you stick to white marble because acidic liquids like vinegar can leave a mark on colored marble.
When marble is mined from the Earth and created into a countertop, there are many unique patterns that come from it. You can go for a glossy or matt look.
It’s very durable and easy to clean, they can easily last for decades. However, it needs to be sealed first or else it will gather stains.
Marble is a very expensive type of countertop to get your hands on, so you’re going to be reaching deep into your wallet. However, it will increase the value of your house.
Solid surface
Solid surface countertops are made from modified acrylic to create a very durable work surface. They are made for the kitchen and bathroom.
The look can be a hit or miss for many people. Some say it looks exactly like acrylic and others say it resembles more of a stone-like granite than it does acrylic.
It comes in many colors and styles since it’s easy to modify this. If it gets chipped and scratched, it can be repaired fairly easily.
Even though overall it’s a ‘solid surface’ (see what I did there?) It is known to collect scratches and does not stand well against heat. It’s a nearly non-porous countertop, users have reported that liquid has penetrated the surface before.
It’s super easy to clean, just get a damp cloth and wipe it down.
Regarding the pricing, it’s not cheap but it’s not as expensive as materials such as quartz or granite. It’s somewhere in the middle.
Tile
There are different types of tiles for your countertop. Ceramic is the most purchased because of its affordability with a large variety of colors and styles. Porcelain tiles are another popular choice of a variety of styles and how easy it is to clean. And there are glass tiles which you can install LEDs in, giving it a very unique look and it’s easy to clean
There’s an endless number of styles with tiles (that rymed). Giving you the ability to choose the exact countertop to take your kitchen to the next level.
Tiles do need to be sealed to prevent them from cracking and aging poorly. Tiles are durable but they can be scratched with a sharp blade, so make sure to use a cutting board.
You don’t have to get modern glass tiles that have LED lighting, you can get them in a nice rustic style too.
Purchasing the tiles is affordable but the installation costs can be very expensive.
Stainless steel
Stainless steel countertops are exactly what they sound like. Countertops made of steel and the best thing about this is how incredibly easy they are to maintain. They’re non porous so liquids won’t be able to penetrate it, causing bacteria to grow.
Stainless steel countertops are most commonly found in commercial kitchens. This is due to their durability and hygiene benefits. They’re burn and rust resistant, making them a great initial investment for people starting their restaurant business.
They’re also easy to install. The entire unit can be made from stainless steel including the legs. But if you just want the countertop, you will give the measurements you need to the supplier and have it installed at your house or commercial property.
You can also have a sink integrated into it which is a nice function.
There aren’t a lot of options when it comes to style, it’s not the most stunning type of countertop but maybe the most functional.
When you place things or drop things on a stainless steel countertop, it produces a lot of noise, utensils cause a LOT of rattle.
If you place pans, cutting boards, ladies or any large item on the steel countertop, it will make a lot of noise. It’s not good if noise irritates you.
It’s pretty easy to scratch and even dent the steel and will collect a lot of fingerprints. Since it’s steel, it will hold heat after you’ve placed a hot item there.
Steel countertops aren’t cheap, they can cost as much as marble.
Pricing table
Countertop maintenance
When caring for your countertop, the maintenance varies. It depends on the material of the countertop.
Granite for example is incredibly easy to maintain. Let’s say you spill red wine on the countertop, it should be wiped down as soon as you can. Now, you don’t have to rush to it, just don’t be lazy and let it sit for a few days.
As doing this will stain the surface. Don’t use dish soap water on your granite as this can gradually dull the shine that was once there. Instead, use a soft cloth with a granite spray. Never use acidic cleaners like vinegar and lemon to clean the surface.
Make sure to use a cutting board, even though granite is highly scratch resistant, it can wear over time.
Check with your manufacturer if your countertop needs to be constantly sealed over a certain period of time. Some countertops never need to be sealed again, it all depends. So make sure to check with your manufacturer regarding this.
With stainless steel countertops, it’s almost like the opposite for the above granite worktops. With steel surfaces you can use dish soap water and acidic cleaners. But you should also use polish occasionally to keep it looking nice.
With wooden countertops it’s recommended to apply oils regularly.
The method in which you maintain your countertop all depends on the material of the countertop.
Which countertop is right for me?
There are 2 ways you determine the right countertop for you:
- Function
- Style
What functions/abilities would you like from your countertop and how would you like it to look?
For example, if you want a countertop that can last for a decade, you’re going to want to go with a marble countertop.
If you want a countertop that’s going to have a rustic look and feel to it, you’re going to want to go with a butcher block countertop.
If pricing is an issue for you, then you want to skip marble and consider something like laminate countertops.
If the countertop is for your bathroom, you may want to go for a tile countertop, it doesn’t make much sense having a steel countertop in your bathroom. Unless you work at an industrial place or you’ve managed to find the right look.
List the functions and aesthetics as well as pricing and decide on the countertop like that.
