“Kitchens are made for bringing families together.”
There is no such thing as the best countertop material for a kitchen. Plethora of options are available in terms of material, appearance and colours. Each one has different merits and drawbacks depending on functionality, style and individual preferences. Consider durability, cost, installation process, appearance, longevity, resistance and maintenance requirements before selecting an option. This blog will help you make an informed decision.
Before we start, understand that natural stone like marble and granite versus man made like quartz, steel, cement or ceramic tiles etc. Knowing them can help you choose the right one for your needs.
Engineered stone is a composite material made of crushed stone bound together by an adhesive to create a solid surface. The adhesive is most commonly polymer resin, with some newer versions using cement mix. This category includes engineered quartz (SiO2), polymer concrete and engineered marble stone. The application of engineered stone is based on the original crushed stone used for making it. For example – engineered marble are used for interior walls and flooring while engineered quartz is used for Kitchen countertops.
- Engineered stone are factory cut and polished and assembled at the worksite.
- The material can be produced in either 12 mm, 20 mm or 30 mm thicknesses.
- The most common slab format is 3040 mm x 1440 mm for Quartz and 3050 mm x 1240 mm, but other sizes like 3040 mm x 1650 mm are produced according to market demand. Since it available as slabs only, there would always be some wastages. Consider different options before placing your order.
- Engineered stone is non porous, more flexible, and harder than many types of natural stone.
- It does not have hidden cracks or flaws that may exist in natural stone.
- It has a colour/pattern consistency from slab to slab. Thus you could easily buy in parts rather than placing order in bulk. Or plan expansion or extension in future without any worry of colour or pattern mismatch problem.
- So far everything looks good, now comes the catch. Resin used for binding looses its flexibility over period of time. It is not UV resistant. This can manifest in problems like – discolouration, cracks or damage due to heat (kitchen pots at temperature more than 150 deg C may cause damage).
Natural Marble is a relatively soft material which is prone to scratching, but simple to maintain. Typically it can be repeatedly polished until it becomes too thin. Marble is much more common and accessible around the world, and comes in a wider variety. This gives it price advantage. Its engineered counterpart- Engineered Marble also has a significant edge in pricing, and more variety in pattern and colours. Engineered marble is typically used as flooring materials for large commercial projects such as hotels, shopping centers, business lobbies, where it combines the attractive appearance of marble with budget-friendly cost and reliable delivery time.
Natural Quartz is a much harder material. The Mohs scale hardness of marble is roughly 3, whereas that of quartz is around 7. This makes it much more resistant to scratching, however it also makes re-polishing and general processing a more difficult task. Engineered Quartz is most commonly used for kitchen counter tops, where the value added through processing can offset its considerably higher cost.
Natural Granite is one of the top choices for kitchen countertops. Granite countertops are popular because they are durable and tough, able to resist impact and abrasive damage. They are available in different sizes as per requirement and wastage could be minimised. A granite countertop can last for decades if it is taken care of properly. Granite is easy to clean, budget friendly but it may have hidden cracks and flaws. Also options of colour available are limited. This can limit your imagination while designing your modular kitchen.
Ceramic Tiles as kitchen countertop is an inexpensive option for the kitchen. It’s hard, durable, and resistant to heat, though the size of each tile can impede the functionality of the countertop, making it more difficult to prepare food and keep it clean. A wide selection of colours, patterns, and styles are possible but keep in mind that ceramic tile is brittle and prone to cracking. The grout lines are also vulnerable to staining and can be difficult to clean.
Laminates is an inexpensive and easy to install option. It is also available in variety of colours, style and patterns. The surface is non porous but susceptible to heat damage. This option is prone to peeling and has a comparative very short life span.
Stainless Steel is commonly used in commercial kitchen due to non-porous and easy to clean quality. It is also heat resistant. But any water or finger spots could be annoying to clean repeatedly.
Concrete counter tops could be another option. Preferably it needs to be installed right at the time when your house is being built. Best option when you desire custom installation. It is heat resistant, strong but may require frequent maintenance and cleaning.
Glass countertops could be another option when you are looking for customisation. But before you select it consider cost of replacement in case of damage due to heavy utensil. A crack or chip off can be almost impossible to be fixed and demands complete replacement which could be expensive.
I believe, the kitchen is the heart of the home and also that it is a hub of activity. From planning to cooking up our favourite meals, discussing various recipe with friends, to doing homework with our children, hosting and entertaining friends, and using it as a place to converse over a steaming cup of tea. The kitchen is undoubtedly the most used room in the home and a place that is full of memories. Twenty four hours after you have made a selection, re-think about durability, maintenance, budget, aesthetics as well as kitchen architecture. If you are happy with your selection go-ahead and seal the deal.
“Everything happens in the kitchen. Life happens in the kitchen.” – Andrew Zimmern
I hope this blog has been useful in selecting the right kitchen countertop for your dream home.
