How to Compare Kitchen Countertop Materials

Kitchen Countertops

Kitchen countertops offer more variety now than ever before, with stone, concrete, granite, marble, metal, wood and ceramic tile among the choices. When you build a new home, your kitchen can be just what your imagination makes it. If you remodel an older home, you can update the look with a different kind of kitchen countertop material than you had before. Compare beauty, practicality and price to find what is best for you.

Instructions

1. Go to a home improvement store or a countertop manufacturer to look at the choices. Tell them you are not buying today, just doing research. Think about which countertop materials you find most attractive. Make a list of the countertop types you would consider, based on appearance.

2. Find out which countertop materials are scratch resistant. For example, metal countertops are easy to scratch, while ceramic tiles are not. Ask which countertops are more resistant to bacteria.

3. Learn about stain resistance. The grout around ceramic tiles can stain quickly if it is not sealed regularly, according to Bob Vila's "Countertop Options." Vila says that "Marble is less stain-resistant and more porous than granite, so it may be damaged by acidic foods." Ask about the heat resistance of each surface you are considering. Some, such as wood, scorch easily. Metal cabinets, on the other hand, are completely heat resistant.

4. Find out what maintenance is required for each type of kitchen countertop on your list. Ask to see the specifications sheet on each type of surface. This should answer many questions, including how to care for the countertop.

5. Read the warranty for each countertop type. The comparison will give you some idea of the expected life of the kitchen countertop. If any exclusions are made, that will tell you that the countertop material is not expected to perform well in that area. For example, if the warranty excludes claims for stains, it is not expected to be stain-resistant.

6. Compare price per square foot, installed. Consider the savings if it is a kind of countertop you can install yourself. Weigh that factor with the rest of your information.

7. Read reviews online for the kinds of countertops you like. Notice whether many people are pleased with them. Look at the kind of complaints people have if there is a general dissatisfaction with a particular countertop type. Consider all the information you have found when making your final comparison.

References

• BobVila.com: Countertop Options

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• The pros and cons of different countertops, from Inspired House
• A curated list of article on countertops, from Consumer Search
• A discussion board on countertops, from Berkeley Parents Network