Which Countertop Material Should I Use in My Kitchen?

A frequent question asked by our customers is, “Which countertop material should I use in my kitchen?”. Our most honest answer from having over 25 years of industry experience is it depends on the application.

Below we will run through eight common materials used for kitchen countertops and some of their respective pros and cons. We will have further blogs going more in-depth with each material with our industry experience, so keep an eye out for these. Subscribe to our mailing list and we will be sure to send you a notice once we upload a blog.

1. Granite/Natural Stone

If you are looking for a durable and unique material for your countertops Granite is a great solution. Granite being a natural stone complements the traditional and natural styles quite well.

Pros:

  • Unique patterns.
  • Highly scratch and heat resistant.
  • Great stain resistance once sealed correctly.
  • Easily maintained once sealed correctly.

Cons:

  • Incorrect sealing can lead to staining and the build-up of bacteria.
  • Susceptible to chipping from excessive force such as heavy objects falling on the material.

Cost:

Granite material prices can range from $100 – $250 per sqft.

Noturno
MG 6545s
Arabescato
Grigio
solid surface kitchen
Photo: Meganite
Snow Owl

2. Solid Surfacing

Another great countertop material is that of Solid Surface. This is an acrylic-based material and comes in many different styles and is highly customisable and can complement most design styles such as traditional, modern, and contemporary.

Pros:

  • Highly customisable.
  • Provide a seamless look.
  • Easily repaired/restored.
  • Easily maintained.

Cons:

  • Not as heat resistant as stone and quartz.
  • Not as scratch resistant as stone and quartz and wears over time (but can be easily renewed).

Cost:

Solid Surface material prices range from $100 – $250 per sqft.

3. Quartz

As engineered stone, quartz is a great option for a durable and elegant countertop. Quartz provides a finish for traditional, modern, and contemporary style with its varied patterns and wide colour range.

Pros:

  • Excellent durability.
  • Does not require sealing since it is non-porous.
  • Easily cleaned and maintained.
  • Scratch-resistant.

Cons:

  • Not as heat resistant as natural stone, concrete, or tiles.
  • Prolonged exposure to sunlight will cause discolouration, warping or cracking.
  • Not easily repaired.

Cost:

Quartz material prices range between $130 – $350 per sqft.

Serengeti
MG 9230s
Midnight Storm
Neolith Pic

4. Sintered Stone

A more contemporary countertop solution is that of sintered stone. This material is 100% natural and can be used for countertops and a variety of other uses.

Pros:

  • Excellent durability.
  • Great resistance to scratching and both high and low temperatures.
  • Resistant to UV rays.
  • Easily maintained.

Cons:

  • Material can crack if not installed on a level surface.
  • Repairs are difficult.

Cost:

Sintered Stone material pricing ranges from $200 – $450 per sqft.

5. Wood

Wooden countertops are a great way to add warmth to your kitchen along with natural beauty. Wood is also one of the materials that complements all design styles.

Pros:

  • Provides warmth, unlike any other material.
  • Can be recycled.

Cons:

  • If sealed incorrectly maintenance can be difficult.
  • If not treated correctly, over time, water damage can occur.
Wood Countertop

6. Laminate

One of the more affordable countertop choices is that of Laminate. Laminate has a wide range of patterns and colours and can look like some granites or other stones.

Pros:

  • Easily cleaned.
  • Seams can be hidden easily.

Cons:

  • Easily scratched.
  • Not very resistant to heat.
  • Cannot be repaired easily.

7. Tiles

Another cost-effective countertop is that of tiles. Tiles can be used to complement most styles because of the multiple styles, colours, patterns, sizes, and shapes.

Pros:

  • Durable
  • Easily cleaned once the grout is sealed properly.

Cons:

  • The grout needs to be resealed.
  • Labour may cause the price to be high if the design is very intricate.

8. Stainless Steel

A great way to finish off a retro or contemporary styled kitchen is to use stainless steel countertops. The stainless steel will complement the finishes on most appliances and tends to look great on most surfaces.

Pros:

  • Durable.
  • Easily cleaned being as it is non-porous.

Cons:

  • May look industrial.
  • Can scratch and mark with normal use.

So which material is best?

As you may have already guessed from the information above choosing a countertop may be more difficult than first imagined. We hope that with the information provided you can make a more informed decision on what material best suits your style and application, to bring your vision to reality.

We don’t just want you to remain feeling like you are no further forward in your mind than before! Why not book a call or a free consultation with one of our helpful team?

We Look forward to hearing from you!

Request A Free Quotation or Consultation
Type of MaterialProsConsCost*
Granite• Unique patterns.
• Highly scratch and heat resistant.
• Great stain resistance once sealed correctly.
• Easily maintained once sealed correctly.
• Incorrect sealing can lead to staining and the build-up of bacteria.
• Susceptible to chipping from excessive force such as heavy objects falling on the material.
$100 – $250 / sqft.
Solid Surface• Highly customisable.
• Provide a seamless look.
• Easily repaired/restored.
• Easily maintained.
• Not as heat resistant as stone and quartz.
• Not as scratch resistant as stone and quartz and wears over time.
$100 – $250 / sqft.
Quartz• Excellent durability.
• Does not require sealing since it is non-porous.
• Easily cleaned and maintained.
• Scratch resistant.
• Not as heat resistant as natural stone, concrete, or tiles.
• Prolonged exposure to sunlight will cause discolouration, warping or cracking.
• Not easily repaired.
$130 – $350 / sqft.
Sintered Stone• Excellent durability.
• Great resistance to scratching and both high and low temperatures.
• Resistant to UV rays.
• Easily maintained.
• Material can crack if not installed on a level surface.
• Repairs are difficult.
$200 – $450 / sqft.
Wood• Provides a warmth unlike any other material.
• Can be recycled.
• If sealed incorrectly bacteria can build up.
• If not treated correctly overtime water damage can occur.
Laminate• Easily cleaned.
• Seams can be hidden easily.
• Easily scratched.
• Not very resistant to heat.
• Cannot be repaired easily.
Tile• Durable
• Easily cleaned once the grout is sealed properly.
• The grout needs to be resealed.
• Labour may cause the price to be high if the design is very intricate.
Stainless Steel• Durable
• Easily cleaned being as it is non-porous
• May look industrial
• Can scratch and mark with normal use
*Please note that the pricing range is based on material prices only. You can obtain an estimate for the fabrication and installation of your countertops here.