Table of Contents
Countertop Types: Materials Laminate. Laminate countertops are made from sheets of plastic laminate bonded to a particleboard core. Marble. Other Types of Stone Countertops. Quartz. Resin Countertops. Wood (Butcher’s Block) Countertops. Concrete Countertops. Solid Surface Countertops.
What are inexpensive countertops made of?
Laminate is the most affordable material for use in countertops. It comes in a wide variety of colors and styles, many of which are created to look like granite, marble or other high-end materials. Most laminate countertops are attractive and surprisingly durable.
Which kitchen countertop material is best?
Which Is the Best Kitchen Countertop Material? Granite. One of the hardest natural stones mined from the earth, which is then cut into slabs and polished before installation, granite is the go-to material in countertop options. Quartz. Solid Surface. Concrete.
What is the least expensive countertop for kitchen?
Laminate Countertops Generally the most affordable countertop material available, laminate is made from layers of plastic bonded to particleboard to form a solid surface.
What is an inexpensive alternative to granite countertops?
Laminate countertops are an inexpensive, low-maintenance alternative to pricey stone and solid-surface countertops, and they are available in many styles that mimic expensive surfaces such as granite or marble. Laminate countertops are not resistant to heat and can scratch.
What is the easiest countertop to maintain?
Laminate countertops are the easiest kitchen countertop to maintain. Once installed, all you will need to do is clean them with mild soap and water. No additional maintenance is required.
Is granite or quartz better?
Quartz is actually harder than granite and thus, more durable. In fact, quartz is nearly indestructible, and because it isn’t porous like granite, it’s easy to keep your countertops relatively bacteria-free.
What type of countertop is most durable?
Quartz is the most durable kitchen countertop. It is nearly indestructible to regular kitchen use, is not susceptible to knife cuts, will not chip or crack, and is very stain resistant.
Is Corian cheaper than quartz?
Corian is cheaper than quartz upfront. You can expect to pay between $40 and $65 per square foot for Corian while quartz starts at $40 and can extend well beyond $200 per square foot. Corian will cost more over the long haul due to the material’s fragility and poor resale value.
What is Corian made of?
Corian® Solid Surface is a solid, nonporous, homogeneous surfacing material, composed of ~1/3 acrylic resin (also known as polymethyl methacrylate or PMMA), and ~2/3 natural minerals.
Is quartz or granite more expensive?
Quartz and granite countertops are priced similarly per square foot, with granite counters having the wider variation in price. Granite can be more expensive than quartz at times, based on the availability of a color and pattern. Quartz, on the other hand, is heavier and requires a professional installer.
What is better Corian or granite?
Durability: Corian is weaker than Granite and Quartz, making is more susceptible to scratches, heat marks/scorching, and chemical damage by strong cleaners. Corian countertops are not very heat resistant and can only handle temperatures up to 212 degrees Fahrenheit before sustaining damage.
Are laminate countertops making a comeback?
Laminate is making a comeback and is being used more and more these days because of its improved design and style. Today’s laminate looks more like natural stone and because of improved printing techniques and designers who are creating better recreations of stone, laminate has made a dramatic comeback.
How can you tell real granite from fake?
Spotting Fake Granite: Tap the Surface If you lightly tap on the back of the surface with a small hammer, real granite should produce a ringing sound. To the contrary, fake granite will make a small click sound. If the stone produces the latter of the two sounds, you will know that it is not the natural stone.
What countertop will not stain?
Quartz is the most stain resistant material because it is engineered with ground-up natural stone and resin. This creates a non-porous material that is highly stain resistant. Quartz is also easy to maintain as no sealer is required.
What is the most low maintenance countertop material?
Top 5 Low Maintenance Countertop Surface Options Laminate. A laminate countertop surface has many advantages. Recycled Glass. This is a relatively new product. Solid Surface. There are a variety of solid surface types with Corian and Soapstone among the bestselling and highest-rated. Stainless Steel. Quartz.
What countertops dont need sealing?
Quartz is one of the most appealing and most popular choices for a new kitchen counter because of its durability. Unlike granite, quartz doesn’t need to be sealed on a regular basis in order to prevent staining. The nonporous surface makes it an ideal choice for food preparation and maintenance.
Can I use Clorox wipes on quartz?
No, you can’t use disinfecting wipes on quartz countertops. Disinfecting wipes contain citric acid as their primary ingredient and are not diluted in any way. When you use these wipes to clean your countertop, they will weaken the seal on your countertop’s surface leaving them vulnerable to discoloration.
Can you use Clorox wipes on granite?
You should avoid using acid-based cleaners — lemon, orange, vinegar or bleach-based — on granite. That means those Clorox disinfecting wipes (which contain citric acid) that make cleanup so easy are actually quite bad for your granite’s seal.
What are the negatives of quartz countertops?
The main downsides of quartz countertops are their price, appearance (if you desire the look of natural stone), and lack of resistance against heat damage.
