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.
Which type of countertop is best?
Countertop Intelligence Quartz. Pros: It mimics the look of stone but requires less maintenance. Granite. Pros: Each slab of this natural material is unique; rare colors and veining cost more. Soapstone, Limestone, and Marble. Laminate. Solid Surfacing. Recycled Glass. Butcher Block.
What is the most popular countertop material?
Granite. Granite countertops are perhaps most familiar to the majority of homeowners, and have been a popular choice for the past few decades or so.
What are different styles of countertops?
Countertop Materials Granite Countertops. Granite countertops are some of the most elegant, richest kitchen countertops available. Quartz Countertops. Laminate Countertops. Concrete Countertops. Recycled Glass Countertops. Butcherblock Countertops. Marble Countertops. Solid Surface Countertops.
What is the most common type of countertop?
While granite countertops remain the most popular and well-known type of countertops most commonly used in homes today, there are several other stone, engineered and tile countertop options that still enjoy significant preference.
Is quartz or granite 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.
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.
Which countertop is easiest 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.
Which is better quartz or quartzite?
Quartz is a significantly more durable material. Quartzite stains and chips with greater ease. A large part of the issue is the rock’s more porous nature.
What countertop is most durable?
The Top 5 Most Durable Countertops Granite. Although natural granite remains one of today’s most popular countertop choices, it may have met its match with the growing popularity of engineered granite. Quartz. Recycled Glass. Concrete. Solid Surface.
What is the cheapest countertop?
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.
How can you tell the difference between quartz and quartzite?
The biggest difference between quartz and quartzite is that quartz is a man-made material, while quartzite is a natural stone. A quartzite countertop begins as sandstone, which under a natural process of heat and pressure is fused with sparkly quartz crystals to form quartzite.
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 the most popular countertop for kitchens?
Quartz. Currently the most popular choice in kitchen countertops, homeowners choose quartz surfacing because of its many advantages. Quartz doesn’t need to be sealed, and its seams blend very well. It is easy to clean and is heat, scratch and stain resistant.
Can you put hot pans on quartz?
While a quartz countertop is heat resistant, it can be damaged if exposed to too much heat. Since the resin can only withstand approximately 150 degrees, placing very hot materials such as a pan directly out of the oven will burn the countertop and cause permanent damage.
Is Corian countertop good?
Earning a title as a top solid-surface countertop, Corian is resistant to stains, scratches and elemental damages, like wear from excess sunlight. Like granite, Corian is solid all the way through, making it extremely durable and a top choice for a counter surface that will see a lot of use.
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.
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.
What’s cheaper quartz or granite?
Quartz is generally less expensive. But with the exception of the cheapest granite, quartz is generally less expensive—$70 to $100 per square foot installed compared with granite’s price range of $60 to $270 per square foot installed.
Is Corian out of style?
If kitchen trends are important to you, you’ll be happy to know that Corian is still considered one of the most popular solid-surface countertop options by the folks at homeadvisor.com.
How can I tell if my countertop is quartz or Corian?
Quartz countertops come in a seemingly endless variety of colors and patterns. To tell if you are looking at real stone or a manufactured countertop, look carefully at the pattern on the counter. Every slab of granite or marble is unique; if it is natural stone, no two areas of the stone will look exactly alike.
How is quartz countertop sold?
Some quartz makers sell exclusively through big-box stores; other slabs are available only through independent kitchen and bath showrooms.
