How to Get the Best Kitchen Countertop (Granite, Marble, Engineered Stone, Linoleum, Concrete and More!)

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By GreenMomma
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Through a brief description of many types of countertop materials, you will be able to to decide which countertop is right for you.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Step 1

The very first thing you should do is get to know your counter tops and decide what features are important to you. Cost may be more or less important to you than durability. This may also be a perfect opportunity to go green in your home.
Step 2

If cost is your main concern and you are looking to save money, laminate or linoleum may be your answer.

Linoleum is a man made product that does scratch, burn, melt and even pull away from its adhesive backing if exposed to excessive moisture. While today's linoleum is made better than years before, Linoleum is still one of the least durable countertops you can buy.

That being said, Linoleum is very easy to keep clean and comes in many colors.
Step 3

If durability, quality and style are your main concern, granite and marble may be your countertop of choice.

While granite and marble are good quality products, it will cost you upwards of $65 a square foot.

That being said, both granite and marble are porous materials that need to be well taken care of to avoid bacteria growth and they may stain if not periodically treated.

Some people will not buy natural stone such as marble or granite because of possible radon emissions from the stone. Radon is responsible for lung cancer and some other types of cancer. That being said, not everyone is convinced that natural granite or marble poses a significant risk to homeowners and the research available is reportedly slanted.
Step 4

If you really want granite or marble and cannot afford it. There is a cheaper alternative. Why not purchase granite or marble tiles for your countertop? Many consumers are buying this product for exactly that use. If you make them seamless, you will achieve pretty much the same look! The cost of granite tile will cost you about half what a granite countertop.
Step 5

If your countertop is expected to take a beating, Silestone and other engineered stones may be the countertops you are looking for.

Engineered stone is a hard, non-porous quartz stone that is both scratch-resistant and stain-resistant. It requires no sealing for protection and is available in a large variety of colors. Many people prefer this look over natural granite or natural marble because the coloring is consistent.

Engineered stone is 93% quartz but is a man-made stone. Engineered stone will not stain, is scratch-resistant, non-porous and easy to clean.

This type of stone is generally cheaper than granite and marble.
Step 6

If you are looking for a really natural look and money is not an issue, a butcher block countertop may be the answer for your kitchen countertop.

Butcher block is not recommended to use with a sink or a stove because it may warp or burn. Butcher block is better suited for your kitchen island or your kitchen peninsula. Butcher block will need to be periodically treated to prevent stains. Butcher block is probably the hardest of all the countertops to maintain. A good butcher block counter top will cost upwards of $75 a square foot.
Step 7

If high fashion is your goal and you have a modern kitchen, concrete and glass countertops may be what you are looking for. Both of these countertops are typically very expensive.

Concrete and glass hold up great against heat and staining. However, both of these products may chip and break. Concrete is repairable but glass is not and will have to be replaced.

If you are interested in glass, check out Vitrazzo glass, they make countertops from recycled glass in the United States. This is a great choice if you are interested in designing a green home. www.vetrazzo.com/sustain.html
Step 8

Talk to your contractor before construction on your new kitchen. Your contractor may have additional ideas just for your kitchen.