If you’ve been in the market either buying or selling a home recently, you understand the main things that buyers care about: the bedrooms, the bathrooms and the kitchen—specifically, the kitchen’s countertops.
When you’re remodeling your own home, you might wonder how to choose the best countertops for your kitchen. Luckily for you, there are a whole host of different countertop options available. Regardless of whether you prioritize function or fashion, there’s a kitchen countertop to meet your needs.
Here’s how to choose the best countertops for your kitchen:
Marble
We start with the cream of the crop. Marble countertops look beautiful and are highly sought after by prospective buyers, which is something to keep in mind if you ever plan on moving. Other pros and cons include:
- Pros: The draw for marble countertops is their unique, luxurious look. In addition to that, they can handle heat quite well, so burning them won’t be a concern. Marble countertops are also cool to the touch which can be helpful when making baked goods.
- Cons: You can and should seal marble countertops, but they will still be vulnerable to staining. Marble countertops are unfortunately prone to scratching and chipping as well, which leads most homeowners to use marble in a portion of their kitchen instead of all throughout it.
Quartz
Maintaining some of the look of higher-end options while possessing more durability, quartz countertops and their composites are a prominent choice in newer homes. Here’s why:
- Pros: Quartz requires less maintenance than other stones but still has their elegant look. Its durability is unrivaled, and quartz countertops are ideal for highly-trafficked kitchens. Quartz countertops are nonporous and won’t mark or stain easily either.
- Cons: Low maintenance doesn’t mean zero maintenance! If you’ve selected a lighter color, you’ll need to care for it with special cleaners. Other disadvantages are that seams might be visible and, should you have any chipped edges, you’ll need an expert to fix them.
Granite
Made from natural stone, granite is taken from all around the world and crafted into blocks which are cut into slabs. The colors and patterns you have to choose from are limited due to the stone’s natural composition. Here’s what else to keep in mind:
- Pros: Granite countertops are quite durable and have unparalleled aesthetic appeal. They offer an organic and classical look that’s difficult to replicate. You’ll also have your choice of finish, ranging anywhere from high gloss to leathered.
- Cons: As stated above, you won’t have an infinite color palette to choose from when installing granite countertops. You’ll also need to have them periodically resealed every 10 to 15 years. Because granite is a porous stone, you might need to have a lighter color sealed multiple times to ensure that it’s resistant to stains.
Call for your new countertop today
Knowing some of the pros and cons of various countertop materials should help you figure out how to choose the best countertop for your kitchen. Once you’ve made your decision, give us a call at JB Construction. We’re the industry experts when it comes to home remodeling in Southern California, and we’d be happy to help you with anything from installing a new countertop to building a new outdoor patio.