Kitchen counter-tops can be an exciting or disappointing part of a client's project. Expectation has a great deal of influence in this area. For consumers who like uniformity, sometimes natural stone tops are not the best choice. Many of us appreciate the beauty in color variations and perceived imperfections. Some stones are higher maintenance and others scratch more readily. So how do we achieve what a client wants? Let's begin with the choices.
Remember - ALWAYS insist on a seeing the entire slab of choice. When clients skip this step, they are often unhappy. We now make it mandatory for a client to view the slab. A small piece does not depict the whole picture.
Granite
Quartzite
Quartz
Marble
Soapstone
Solid Surface
Lava Stone
Wood
Glass
Semi-Precious Stone
Limestone
Concrete
Laminates
Ceramic Tiles
Let's discuss the positives & negatives of each material.
Granite - Granite has been a popular choice in luxury kitchens for many years. It comes out of the Earth exactly as you see it. It is a high ticket item. The natural patterns are stunning and unique. Granite holds up fairly well to heat. It is durable and holds up well if properly sealed. You do need to seal it every one-two years to avoid stains since it is a porous stone. Granite can have imperfections and can crack if stressed or not installed correctly.
Quartzite - Quartzite is a metamorphic rock that originated as sandstone and made up almost entirely of the mineral quartz. Through a process of high heating and pressurization sandstone is transformed into Quartzite, an extremely strong and durable natural stone. Quartzite stones are loved because of their beautiful sparkling pattern. Quartzite is ideal for any countertop surface due to its strength and long-lasting durability. Quartzite is #7 on the hardness scale compared to granite #6 and marble #3. The "problem" with quartzite is people think it etches. The real problem is many stone yards are selling marble under the quartzite name. Marble is much softer and does etch. Whenever you purchase this stone, be sure to get the stone yard to sign a certificate of authenticity that it is real quartzite, meant for kitchen use.
Quartz - Products labeled quartz are actually engineered stone, not solid stone slabs from the earth. They consist of about 93% quartz particles and other minerals. They are shaped into a slab with resins. They come in a myriad of patterns with few imperfections. Quartz is stain resistant, easy to care for, impervious to heat and does not need to be sealed. It is also on the more expensive side. Not nearly as expensive as natural quartzite.
Marble - Marble is a natural stone and each piece is quite beautiful and unique. Marble is one of the more expensive stones. It does scratch and stain. Newer sealing products can reduce the possibility of damage. Once damaged though, it is hard to repair. It is a softer stone and not the best choice for hardcore kitchens. It is water and heat proof. Two popular colors are carrera and calacatta. Calacatta marble is a distinctive Italian marble consisting of whites and golds. Marble is available in honed or polished finishes. Marble is truly an elegant natural stone
Soapstone - Soapstone is a natural stone, typically dark gray and smooth to the touch. It is often seen in historic homes and is also used in modern homes as a countertop and sink material. As it ages, soapstone takes on an antique-like patina that is attractive in many kitchen designs. It can darken over time. It does scratch and dent but damages can be sanded out. It should be treated with mineral oil too. Soapstone is quite hard and resistant to stain. It will scratch over time, and depending on your view, this can add to the antique patina.
Solid Surface - is a man-made material consisting of a combination of acrylic particles and resins that are pressed into sheets and other shapes. Once regarded as a luxury product, solid-surface material is now considered mid-tier. It does resist stains and damage can be sanded out. Seams are almost invisible. It is prone to damage from hot pans.
Lava Stone- Volcanic lava stone is extracted from quarries (usually in France), cut into slabs, glazed with enamel, and fired in a kiln at very high heat. During the cooling process, a smooth crackled finish develops, which is the signature look of lava stone countertops. The positives of using lava stone are: Lava Stone is resistant to heat, cold, and temperature fluctuations. Hot pots & pans can be placed directly on the surface without damage. It is extremely durable. It's exceptionally hard surface withstands corrosive chemicals and UV exposure (no fading!). It doesn’t chip or scratch easily. However, knife edges can cut into it, so use a cutting board. It is stain resistant, nonporous, impervious to water, and does not harbor bacteria. You can use lava stone for indoor and outdoor kitchens. The finish is beautiful and available in just about any color. Lava stone is sustainable. It is virtually maintenance free - no sealers needed. Clean with soap & water. The negatives are its high expense and the fact that if you do choose a fancy color, you cannot refinish it down the line. But that goes for just about any stone anyway.
Wood - People choose wood countertops because of their natural beauty. They give any kitchen a certain warmth that stone cannot match. They do require time to clean and maintain them. There is a great variety of choices such as: maple, cherry, oak, birch, teak, mahogany, bamboo, reclaimed, exotics and so many more. Click here to check out more options: Grothouse Wood Species. There are endless stains, finishes and styles to choose from. Wood is an excellent work surface since it does not dull your knives. However, using your wood countertop as a cutting board can create scratching you may not care for.
Wood Countertop Weaknesses - You must seal it properly since it is porous and germs can multiply. The surface must be consistently treated with mineral oil or another protectant. If you don't, expect damage if water sits on the countertop too long or seeps into seams. Since wood is soft, it is easier to scratch, dent and burn. Knife marks, gouges and burn marks can be sanded and restored. They will show wear and tear over time and can be sanded and refinished every 10-20 years.
Glass - Tempered Glass is where a piece of glass is uniformly heated and then rapidly cooled and is five times stronger than non-tempered glass. Ensure if you choose glass, that it is tempered. You can choose recycled glass counters which are man-made surfaces created by combining glass fragments or crushed glass with various binders. The benefit of this method is the broad range of color choice at your disposal plus sustainability. There are countless options. Textures, paint and crushed glass can make your countertop unique. Depending on the glass top you choose, you can add lighting effects for a dramatic look.
Glass does not need sealing, is highly resistant to stains, stands up to heat, but it can scratch, chip, and etch (except for “white” glass). Recycled glass is less prone to chipping. However, glass is expensive including the installation. If it does crack or break, the repair is expensive or may not be able to be done at all. Textured surfaces are harder to work on and to clean. Finger prints are more evident. Acidic foods and drinks may mar the glass and require fixing.
White Glass Countertops - Another option is “white” glass which is a special breed of solid glass countertops that have different qualities. It looks like a white quartz countertop but it is actually more durable than quartz. White glass tops are made by using a mix of glass and silica and fired at a super-high temperature. White glass surfaces are extremely durable and perform much better than standard glass counters including carefree cleaning and maintenance. They are stain-proof, no sealing required and do not etch from acids like other glass tops. Hot pots do not burn this top and they are very difficult to scratch and chip. The color is pure white and the only color choice you have. No options. It can be used for outdoor kitchens and stays cooler than even granite. On the negative side, it is very expensive - $150-$250 per sq. ft. You must hire a highly skilled professional to install. The surface is smooth and shiny and cannot be textured.
Semi-Precious Stone - Semi-precious stone countertops are created with hand selected stones that are cut and bound together with resin to create a smooth, solid surface. Since each slab is composed by hand, it is completely unique. Semi-precious stone countertops are quite beautiful and offer vivid colors with a luxurious appearance. Not surprisingly, they tend to be rather expensive. They also may have soft spots or other inconsistencies throughout the slab.
Homeowners looking to add color and unique luxury to their kitchen or bathroom may choose to integrate handcrafted slabs of amethyst, jasper or other semi-precious stones into their design. Major benefits of semi-precious stone countertops are the ability to resistant staining, heat, scratching and bacteria. They must be sealed.
Limestone - Limestone adds value to home due to its sophisticated look. Limestone typically comes in natural colors such as gray, tan and brown. It is a fairly durable stone yet rates soft on the Mohs scale and can be scratched with many objects including knives. Limestone is softer than marble and typically not recommended for kitchens.
Limestone is inherently porous. It’s like a sponge with liquids and must be sealed to minimize staining. Some limestone, usually darker ones, are denser and more durable and may be sold as marble. They can be polished unlike most lighter color limestone. It performs better as a bathroom countertop than a kitchen countertop. Limestone will react with acids such as wine, fruit juice, lemon, and vinegar and can etch. Compared to harder stones, limestone does have the tendency to scratch easily and even discolor. Make sure to properly seal limestone and do not place hot pots directly on the surface if you do use it for a kitchen.
Concrete - Concrete countertops can be beautiful especially when you choose a pigment or stain. You can have almost any shade you desire. Using a stain can give your countertop the look of granite or other natural stone. Texturing techniques increase the uniqueness and beauty of concrete as well. You have the option of embedding tile, stone, glass, shells or other materials in the concrete to create a one of a kind work of art that is highly durable. Concrete is extremely hard and tough. It won’t easily scratch if sealed properly (every 1-3 years). It is highly heat resistant. Negatives: It can crack. The cracks can be repaired. It is pretty expensive. You need to seal every 1-3 years otherwise it is highly susceptible to staining.
Laminates - Laminates are plastic-coated synthetics with a smooth surface that's easy to clean. Countertops are made by bonding laminate sheets to a particleboard (MDF) core. They are offered in thousands of colors, patterns, and styles. Laminates are more popular in retro designs, mostly mid-century modern kitchens. Laminates are easy to clean and inexpensive. The negatives are the prominent seams, they scratch and chip and most of the time cannot be repaired. They do not add value to a kitchen or home since it is looked upon as a low-end product.
Ceramic & Porcelain Tiles - Ceramic tiles are durable and easy to clean. They are less expensive than natural stone, quartz, or solid-surface countertops. Porcelain tiles have surged with new designs that look like wood, marble, or even leather and cork. Ceramic and porcelain tiles offer more design options than most countertop materials. They are easy to clean and resistant to heat damage. However, they can crack and the grout can be difficult to clean. They also do not enjoy the same prestige as a quartz or granite countertop.
