The selection of the kitchen countertop is one of the few things there is to carefully consider when designing a kitchen for the long term. Not only do you have to consider a suitable colour and design which enhances the overall look, but it is also important to consider the durability based on daily usage so that it lasts as long as possible..
It is highly recommended to get a countertop colour that matches the backsplash as it makes the kitchen look complete and organised. Unlike the backsplash, the kitchen countertop needs to be more durable as it will be highly used if you cook often. Previously, we have discussed the several different types of backsplashes available. If you haven’t read them, check them out here.
Without further ado, we shall take a look and compare the different material specifications of the wide variety of countertops available. Ultimately, by the end of this post you will have a better understanding of the different materials, so that you can pick the right choice with no regrets.
1. Marble
When it comes to the topic of stones, Marble will certainly come to mind. These beautiful natural stones exude class, luxury and elegance. However, is it really a wise choice for a kitchen countertop?
Even though marble is truly the most beautiful stone hands down; it’s soft and porous nature makes it vulnerable to scratches and stains if not properly maintained. If you are someone who uses the kitchen heavily, it might not be the best option for you.
2. Granite
Like marble, granite is also a pure natural stone. It is also porous in nature and requires sealing to better protect the granite from stains. However granite is a very durable and hard material which makes it less susceptible to scratches as compared to marble.
3. Quartz
Quartz is a man-made engineered stone made by combining quartz, polymer resins & pigments compacted under intense vibration, vacuum & pressure. The result you get is a dense and non-porous slab. It is the most popular choice among homeowners because of its
High Strength and scratch resistance, durability and the wide range of colours, patterns and textures.
4. Sintered Stone
Sintered stone has been growing in popularity because of its attractive variety of colours and designs, and also its even better material properties than quartz.
Sintered stone is a composite of many materials, blended and compacted under a high temperature of 120 degrees Celsius. This method gives the material an extremely hard and durable materials that is extremely resistant to heat, scratch and stain.
Stay tuned as we will continue this topic on “what kitchen top to use” in Part 2.