How to choose a countertop for your kitchen
Your countertops are one of the most used and abused surfaces in your home. Choosing the right countertop surface is vital both to the design of your kitchen and also to it's function.
When it comes to choosing your countertops there are several key questions that are important to consider.
How much upkeep are you willing to do to keep your countertops looking prime?
Are you ok with your countertops looking a little loved?
Are your countertops a main visual part of your kitchen that needs to stand out or should they fade into the overall design?
When it comes to selecting what is the right material for you - if you are working with a designer your designer will guide you through these decisions. One thing I often do with my clients is discuss the work zones of the kitchen and we may choose to use different materials in different zones depending on what function the material needs to play.
Material Options
There are many choices of materials for you countertops as well as many choices of how to design them. Today we are going to cover several different material options. This is by no means an exhaustive list of materials but covers many of the popular options.
Paperstone - The Sustainable Choice
Quartz: The Current Go To
Engineered Quartz is the go to of kitchen designers in America right now. It is durable, easy to access and there are thousands of designs to choose from. It is consistent and easy to sample making it a dream for kitchen designers to show. Most designer will refer to engineered quartz as just quartz.
Engineered Quartz is a manmade product made of primarily ground quartz and resin.
Engineered Quartz comes in nearly every color and shade, from marble like veining to duping concrete incredibly well. You can find quartz that looks very close to natural stone to quartz that is filled with rivers of glitter.
Engineered Quartz is a very durable surface. It is non-porous and quite stain resistant, needing virtually no maintenance.
Engineered Quartz is susceptible to heat damage. Heat can change to color on the surface or even crack it, especially in a stress area. For this reason you need to be careful about setting hot objects directly on the surface.
With all of Engineered Quartz's positives it is easy to see why it is the go to in your modern kitchen. As a designer I specify quartz countertops for my clients quite regularly. However, I do encourage people to look beyond quartz. Much like the granite countertops of the 90's it can be overused and make your space feel dated.
When choosing your Engineered Quartz countertops my advice is to stick to a natural stone looking option or to go into the terrazzo or concrete look. Stay away from the strong veined selections. They look contrived and are sure to make your kitchen look dated quickly.
Natural Stone: The Timeless Option
From an appearance standpoint natural stone is hard to beat. As far as upkeep - it really depends on the stone you choose. As a designer, I could browse the aisle of the stone warehouse for days, it is like going to an art gallery where the artist is nature itself.
There really are nearly no limits on what natural stone you can choose, from the finest marbles, translucent quartzites, calming limestones or bold precious stones. One of the beauties of natural stone is that no two pieces will ever be exactly alike.
Natural stones upkeep and stain resistant will be dependent on what stone you choose. Any natural stone will need to have sealer applied on a regular basis and you should be very careful of acidic foods and liquids as well as wines, blood and fruit juices etc..
The durability of natural stone will also depend on what stone you choose. Many marbles are actually very soft and can scratch quite easily. Granites and Quartzites will mostly be more scratch resistant.
Even though natural stones need to be cared for more than some other surfaces, they really are unparalleled in when it comes to visuals. They can be the piece (the inspiration) that you design your entire kitchen around rather than picking the stone to fit your design. When I am working with clients and we are doing a natural stone countertop we always select that early in the process and build from there.
Before going to choose a natural stone, be sure you are ok with the care that will be required - then choose, fall in love, embrace the character! Make sure that whatever you choose is something you will love for a long time. This is a big purchase and you want it to stand the test of time both for your love of your kitchen, but also so as not to waste a finite resource. That's my advice!
Porcelain: The New Standard
Porcelain countertops are quickly becoming the new standard in modern kitchens. They have an abundant array of patterns, textures, and finishes to choose from. The patterns are consistent easily sampled. Porcelain from a good manufacture can be hard to distinguish from real stone for the casual observer.
Porcelain is a manmade material that has been around for thousands of years in many different forms. It is made from a mixture of white china stone and clay and heated to high temperatures.
Porcelain slabs for countertops are becoming more readily available in a multitude of options. Whether you are looking for a stone look, a concrete look, or a solid piece you are sure to find something that fits your style.
Porcelain is extremely stain resistant, non porous and heat resistant which opens up new possibilities for your kitchen. It can be used to make your sink or even as the surface for your gas cooktop. You can even do induction heating elements underneath the surface that can give you a completely seamless heating surface.
Porcelain is less durable than quartz or natural stones from direct blunt force hits which can cause cracking. Your fabricator will provide a solid undersurface just make sure you don't hit it with a hammer and be careful with your meat cleaver or other heavy objects.
With it's stain resistance, thinness and heat resistance porcelain is truly opening up new possibilities in kitchen design. You can even clad your entire cabinets in porcelain. As with many things new, porcelain is a bit slower to catch on here in the US but it is quickly becoming a new standard with kitchen design because of it versatility. Finding a fabricator comfortable working with porcelain can be an issue in some areas, but there are experience craftspeople in the Chicago area that we love to use.
My advice for picking porcelain - go with a good manufacture for both durability and quality of the design.
Paperstone: The Sustainable Choice
Paperstone is one of the more sustainable countertop options. For the eco-conscience client it is a great option with a minimal carbon footprint and a minimal style.
Paperstone is made from recycled paper and formaldehyde free resins as well as natural pigments. It has a soft stone like feel to it while also feeling warm.
Paperstone comes primarily in earthy natural colors that belie the recycled and natural elements it is made with. You will find colors ranging from off white to browns, grays, and blacks.
Paperstone is going to require regular upkeep of the surface. You will need to seal in periodically. That said, it is fairly resistant to staining - just wipe up any spills quickly.
Paperstone is quite resistant to scratching and very resistant to breaking. It can also be refinished in home if the need should arise. It is heat resistant up to 350 degrees, so you don't need to worry too much about hot pans touching it - just don't set hot pans on it for extended periods of time.
Not only is Paperstone more eco-friendly in it's production it also does not off-gas any harmful fumes. All around it is one of the best options for an eco-friendly countertop while also being clean and simple in design.
I love the look and feel of Paperstone in a minimal design. I recommend it to clients that are willing to be careful with it and in places where it won't get much abuse.
Solid Surface: The Seamless Option
Solid surface countertops shine in that they can be constructed seamlessly throughout your entire kitchen, including sinks, waterfalls and up backsplashes.
Solid surface countertops are man made using polyester or acrylic resins.
Solid surface comes in a huge variety of colors from bright whites to blacks and even neon colors as well as patterns. There are multiple finishes available as well from matte to gloss.
Solid surface is non-porous and naturally antibacterials with decent stain resistance. However, leave your glass of wine with a ring around the bottom and it might not come all the way out.
Solid surface is very durable when it comes to heavy objects and chipping, however, it is soft and can scratch quite easily. Special care needs to be taken not to scratch it - especially in darker colors and gloss finishes. The great thing about solid surface is that you can repair it easily in home if it does get damaged.
Solid surface is not heat resistant and setting a hot pan on it may result in a discoloration at the least. Great care must be taken not to set hot items directly on it.
The mold-ability of solid surface is it's real strong suite. Creating that seamless look from sink to countertop to waterfall and backsplash creates a beautiful clean look.
I love using solid surface for it's seamless integration of sinks especially, as well as building up thicker countertop surfaces seamlessly. Over the last few years more natural looking patterns have came on the market and the durability is also increasing. I think we will see more solid surface being used in the future.
Wood: The Warm Feeling
Wood countertops add a sense of warmth and home to almost any kitchen. However, with wood you need to know that you will need to be ok with a well loved look at maintenance.
Wood countertops come in many different species and styles. The wood can be end cut or edge grain. You can stain it or leave it natural. So many options.
Wood is inherently not stain resistant so special care will need to be taken to keep the countertops looking good, and you will need to be ok with some flaws.
Wood is soft which makes it excellent for your knives, but not great if you aren't ok with scratches. and nicks. However, it is very versatile in what you can do with it and relatively easy to sand down and repair when it does get too worn.
I tend to recommend wood countertops only in a portion of a kitchen. I love wood on an island where it creates a more table-like experience to gather round. I also love to do a wood section that is intentionally meant for food prep/chopping and the client is ok with that section looking like worn and well used. The sign of a real kitchen!
Concrete: The Industrial Choice
Concrete countertops have an industrial type look to them but can actually fit many different home styles.
Concrete countertops are normally made in the home and because they are formed they have nearly endless options that can be done with them.
Concrete can range in color from nearly white to very dark. The surface can be stained, polished or left more matte.
Concrete will require regular sealing to keep it looking in great condition. Concrete tends to be porous and stain can easily set in and become impossible to remove. Even oils from hands can polish and darken the surface where it is regularly touched.
Concrete is a durable material but it can chip quite easily on the edges and is susceptible to some scratching.
The versatility of concrete makes it a great choice for some spaces - but needs to be done be real tradespeople to accomplish the best overall results.
I love concrete as a material but rarely recommend it for countertops. There are so many options that look similar and have better stain resistance. However, I do love what can be accomplished with concrete and it definitely still has it's place in design.
Tile: The Artistic Adventure
Tile countertops came and went years ago. We all at some point had experience with that nasty grout. However, done right and with moderation tile countertops can be the ultimate wow!
Tile offers a huge amount of versatility especially in today's world with endless colors, sizes and styles. There are literally endless possibilities.
Tile countertop durability is going to be a function of the tile chosen. The grout lines will always be the weak point. Grout needs to be regularly cleaned and sealed to keep it from discoloring.
Tile offers that opportunity to create a statement that is unexpected and creative.
I never recommend a tile countertop unless the client is ok with pushing the boundaries and really being creative! Even then, I would never do an entire kitchen with tile countertops but I do love it as a statement island. For me, tile countertops always bring in a bit of a carefree feeling to a design.
Metal: The Unexpected Choice
Metal countertops are underrated. They can create a bold and unexpected choice in a kitchen. They are not the right material for every kitchen but in the right space they can really set the tone.
Metal countertops come in many different metals and finishes, from cold brushed stainless steel to warm hammered copper to zinc and pewter options. Each one has it's own unique characteristics and strengths.
In order to keep your countertops looking there best they will take periodical intense cleaning to remove the patina and replace the surface sealants. Even with regular maintenance expect a patina to develop over time. Acids will remove the patina and can create a bleached appearance.
Different metals will have different durabilities and stand up to scratches, dents and dings differently, but all of them will scratch relatively easily.
Metal countertops truly can be the cat's meow in the right space. Stainless steel can be a great way to really drive home that industrial chef's kitchen look. I love the look of a metal cabinet with an integrated metal top that looks both industrial and like a piece of furniture.
Hopefully this helps you understand you countertop options a little bit more. We hope we have inspired you to maybe think a little bit outside of the box!
- Trent - SFS
Great information. What are you thoughts on laminate countertops?