Kitchen Countertops: Out with the Old; In with the New

The kitchen has become the focal point of the American home. Granite used to be an expensive countertop found only in luxury homes. Recently, though, it has become the standard countertop material, and is found at homes in many price ranges and architectural styles. As people update their homes, installing granite is one of the most common changes. People are turning to alternative materials to set their kitchens apart, such as the following:

• Wood. It's not just for floors! Wood is a good option due to its multitude of types and price points. Popular countertops choices are walnut, mahogany, and reclaimed wood. Wood is warm  and inviting to sit at, and newly developed finishes make wood waterproof. In order to make the island stand out, some homeowners use a stone countertop along the perimeter of their kitchen and use a wood countertop for the island. 

• Concrete. This industrial material should not stain after it has been sealed, although it may chip and is heat-resistant only to a degree. 
  
  

  

  Concrete

• Sintered compact. This new material is composed of metals welded together just below the melting point. It is similar to porcelain, and has many advantages: the material is recyclable, stain resistant, waterproof, heat resistant and scratch resistant. It also has near-zero porosity, making it easy to clean.

Sintered Compact

• Porcelain. Like sintered compact, porcelain is heat and scratch resistant. It does not need to be resealed after several years the way granite does, and is suitable for both outdoor and indoor kitchens. Porcelain can be placed over existing countertops. 

Porcelain Tile

• Metal. Stainless steel, zinc, and copper countertops are exceptionally modern in appearance, don't require sealing, and are nonporous (AKA stain resistant). They can be cleaned simply with soap and water. However, metal countertops do scratch. Aside from stainless steel, metals will also oxidize, forming a patina (a green or brown film). Your metal countertops, then, may change colors over time. Click here for more information on metal countertops. 

Copper

• Marble. One of the most expensive options, marble is relatively high maintenance, suseptable to stains, scratches, etches, and developing a patina with time. Marble is one of the more pourous of the metamorphic stones, and is softer than granite, which is why it is less durable. Although they are beautiful, marble countertops may not be the most practical for regularly-used kitchens. To read more about the differences between granite and marble, click here. 

Marble

• Quartz and Quartzite. One of the most popular alternatives to granite, quartz is a nonporous, low-maintaince stone-like countertop. Quartz is one of the most abundant minerals on earth, and as a result, can be engineered into a number of looks. It is stain resistant and does not require sealing. Quartzite is a metamorphic rock formed from sandstone. It resembles marble yet has the durability of granite. Its solid looks makes it popular among modern, gourmet kitchens. 

Quartz

• Glass. Glass is durable and easy to clean, and requires no annual sealants. It's great at bringing light into the kitchen. The downside? It's expensive. 

Glass