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Ultimate Countertop Materials Guide for 2022

Remodeling a kitchen is a huge undertaking. There are so many choices to be made – the style, color scheme, full remodel, or just a “face-lift.” 

One area that we find clients get stuck on is what type of countertop material to choose. While many people want to choose just based on looks, there is more to it than that.  

We’ve put together some information on the most popular types of countertops to help you decide which would be best in your kitchen.  

Maple wood cabinets with a Brandywine stain plus gray-toned granite countertops
Granite countertops and kitchen island

The most popular countertop material is granite. If you like to bake, granite is an excellent choice because it can withstand heat, so you can take your cake out of the oven, set it down directly on the counter, and not worry about cracks or damage. 

Granite is low maintenance; it does not need to be sealed and does not scratch easily. Granite comes in a huge selection of colors and can work with just about any kitchen style. 

U-shaped kitchen layout with quartz countertop material on counters and kitchen island.
Quartz countertop material

Quartz 

Similar to granite, quartz countertops come in tons of colors and styles. It is also durable and relatively low maintenance. Hot dishes do need to be kept off since they can melt the resins causing irreversible damage. 

One thing to understand about quartz is that unlike granite, it’s a manufactured product, whereas granite comes directly from the earth. For that reason, quartz countertops come in just about any color you can think of, from subdued grey and tan, to vibrant red or blue.

Poured Concrete 

You could consider a poured concrete counter for a cost-effective, trendy alternative to granite or quartz. Poured concrete is long-lasting and durable, plus it can be designed to look similar to granite if that’s the look you’re going for. 

The downside with concrete countertops is they are higher maintenance than other types of countertops and will need to be resealed as often as once per year. Failing to seal concrete countertops could lead to staining.  

Stainless Steel 

Stainless steel can be used to give your kitchen a clean, modern look. It is incredibly durable, so you won’t have to worry about stains, cracks, breaks, or heat damage. It is also unique and only starting to become a popular choice – have you ever seen a stainless steel counter in somebody’s home? You can be a trendsetter! 

If you have stainless steel appliances, you know that it catches all the fingerprints and smudges, so you will have to wipe them down frequently.  

Kitchen with rich wood cabinets, grey glass backsplash tile, and soapstone countertop material.
Soapstone countertops

Soapstone 

Another heat-resistant, durable countertop material is soapstone. If you aren’t familiar with soapstone, it is a gorgeous natural stone that comes in shades of blue, gray, and black. Soapstone is an environmentally friendly choice, but it does scratch fairly easily. 

Small kitchen with butcher block countertops and stainless steel sink.
Butcher Block counters

Butcher Block 

If you’re after something a little out of the ordinary, you may want to consider butcher block. This smooth and shiny choice compliments just about any cabinet and backsplash tile. 

The downside is that spills can be a problem on butcher block since they are made of wood. So if you’re a messy cook or have kids who tend to spill a lot, but you still like the look of butcher blog, you might want to keep it to just a small area of your kitchen. 

We hope this list helped you determine which type of countertop material would be best in your kitchen. If you have any questions about a kitchen remodel, styling, or what types of materials to include in your home, please give us a call! We are here to help!

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