The trends keep on changing due to technology and consumer taste and preference. From sliding barn doors with a custom barn door hardware kit to just the right tile in the entryway, trends are making amazing homes.
Let’s talk about the kitchen, for instance. Making kitchen countertops beautiful and durable is among the trends many people are embracing. COVID-19 greatly impacted people wanting to change the outlook of their countertops to serve multiple purposes.
Most modern multipurpose kitchens serve as areas for eating, entertaining, working, and other activities. Most consumers choose countertops based on color, material, affordability, sustainability, and durability.
This article will go through different countertops you can embrace to make your kitchen beautiful and neat.
Quartz
Quartz is an artificial stone that is 80% to 93% made of natural material combined with pigments and resins, making it a long-lasting and low-maintenance alternative for your countertop. The synthetic pigments in the structure allow you to have a wide choice.
With this, you can choose the color that matches your kitchen designs. After designing the countertop, you can select just the right cabinets that will match or vice versa. Quartz poses the following advantages and disadvantages.
Pros
- It can be recycled
- Long-lasting
- It has a range of colors and designs
- It is easy to clean
Cons
- It is heavy
- It is prone to heat
- It is expensive
Granite
Countertops made of granite are stunning. The granite countertops you choose can be the final ones your home needs because of their remarkable durability and traditional elegance that radiates distinction in the kitchen.
Granite is a naturally occurring stone extracted from massive igneous stone formations. Since granite is a mixture of different minerals, each granite countertop slab has a unique appearance.
Granite countertops are expensive and require some maintenance. However, if you’re dedicated to their upkeep, granite countertops will continue to provide the desired appearance and functionality for years to come. The countertop has its pros and cons, and they include.
Pros
- Eco-friendly
- High durability
- Resistance to scratches and damage from the heat
- Stain resistance
- It blends with most other kitchen parts
Cons
- If sealed poorly, the granite will harbor bacteria
- The granite corners may chip if heavy objects get in contact with them
- Low-quality granite countertops are less durable
Quartzite
Quartzite is a mineral from sandstone that has undergone natural metamorphism to create a rock. Commonly, people will confuse quartz and quartzite. Quartzite contains only natural materials, while quartz has some artificial elements.
Given the unique colors and cutting options, quartzite countertops are popular because they can be used in any decor. Quartzite is only available in neutral colors like white, black, brown, and beige
The following are the advantages and disadvantages of quartzite countertops.
Pros
- It brings an attractive outlook
- It is durable
- Demands for low maintenance
- It is resistant to heat
- It is versatile
Cons
- It is prone to scratches
- It is expensive
- It is porous
- It is difficult to install on your own
Marble
Marble is a natural stone; their countertops come in various colors, prices, qualities, and types. Because of its impurities, patterns, hues, and veining, marble has countless variances depending on where it is mined. White, black, pink, and green are just a few examples of colors.
Pros
- The veined pattern gives the countertop a nice look
- They are highly durable if maintained well
- They add to home value
Cons
- They are expensive
- The scratch easily
- When exposed to high heat, they destroy
- They are porous and prone to stains
- They require high maintenance
Butcher Block
Butcher block worktop is a good alternative for homeowners who want their homes to have a farmhouse-style or country cottage appeal. Wooden butcher block countertops are available in a range of designs and hues. Butcher block countertops can be crafted from various kinds of wood, including maple, cherry, walnut, and oak.
Straight wood pieces are commonly bonded together in slabs for butcher blocks with an edge grain. Butcher blocks made of blended grain have rails of various lengths that are finger-jointed, laminated, and bonded side by side.
Pros
- It is environment friendly
- It is long-lasting
- It is easy to clean
- It blends with the kitchen cabinets
- It gives the countertop a natural look
Cons
- Demands for regular maintenance
- It can easily crack if the wood is weak
- Can be damaged by water
There are various materials of countertops to choose from. Ensure the countertop you choose can be maintained and is within your budget. The durability of the countertop will determine whether you will be in the market regularly looking for a replacement or not.
