There are many options for your kitchen countertop, but all seem to have pros and cons making this a hard decision. So which one should you use in your new kitchen? Which one is right for you? Here are some pros and cons of commonly used kitchen countertops to help you make your decision.
Soapstone
Cost range: $75 – $150 psf
PROS:
-versatile in design/colors, wide range of color from almost pure white with slight marbling to charcoal gray with nearly solid color, very non-porous, doesn’t require sealing, stain resistant, easy to clean with just soap and water, doesn’t harbor bacteria, chips/scratches can be easily sanded/buffed out
CONS:
-soft/easy to scratch, high price
Granite
Cost range: $95 – $150 psf
PROS:
-wide range of color/movement, scratch resistant, high quality, hard surface, heat-resistant,
CONS:
-porous, needs to be resealed often, stains easily when not sealed properly/frequently enough, crack or chip when something heavy is dropped on it, high price
Marble
Cost range: $125 – $250 psf
PROS:
-beauty, wide variety in color and movement, heat-resistant
CONS:
-porous/stains easily, needs frequent resealing, soft/scratches easily
Quartz
Cost range: $125 – $175 psf
PROS:
-wide range of color, won’t chip or crack, non-porous because it is engineered, high quality, very hard substance, heat-resistant
CONS:
-not as natural of a look as natural stone, seams can be noticeable sometimes, not as heat-resistant as granite, high cost
Slate
Cost range: $50 – $65 psf
PROS:
-non-porous, doesn’t harbor bacteria, won’t absorb liquids, very hard and durable, heat-resistant, affordable (can be half the price of granite/marble/soapstone/quartz), won’t easily scratch/chip
CONS:
-corners can be slightly brittle (recommended to round edges to prevent cracks or injuries), less color variation than other natural stones
Wood
Cost range: $35 – $200 psf
PROS:
-appearance, variety in color/grain, warm to touch compared to stones, recycled/recyclable, good work surface
CONS:
-require regular/proper sealing, can be damaged by water if not treated properly/regularly, may need refinishing, scratch and dent fairly easily
Solid Surface
Solid surface countertops are man-made blends of acrylic and polyester. An example is Corian.
Cost range: $75 – $120 psf
PROS:
-very wide variety of colors, non-porous, stain resistant, formed into nearly any shape and size
CONS:
-can be damaged by heat, not as much variety and depth in color/movement as a natural stone
Laminate
Cost range: $20 – $50 psf
PROS:
-inexpensive, very wide variety of color/pattern, easy to clean, quick to install, can be customized into most any shape or design, stain resistant
CONS:
-damaged easily by heat, not very scratch resistant, surface damage is difficult to repair
