In today's market, quartz, marble, and granite are the most desired materials for kitchen countertops. These materials are loved for their clean appearance, longevity, and versatility. Moreover, they offer a great deal of color and pattern variety.
Quartz. Recently quartz or manufactured stone beat out granite as the most popular kitchen countertop material. While on the surface, natural stone may seem to offer more resale value, that might be changing! As of right now, granite, marble, travertine, soapstone, and so on will typically give you bigger resale value.
One of the main reasons quartz has exploded in popularity is due to appearance. Quartz has the look of stone while also allowing homeowners to customize the design. While granite offers many options in terms of appearance, you may have to search for the right piece that matches your color scheme.
Your Granite Countertop Installation Decision Guide
Consider that while new countertops can add appeal, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) says that home sellers typically only recoup 57% of what they spend when they sell. So, if you spend $10,000 on new countertops, you are immediately throwing away $4,300.
Quartz. Currently the most popular choice in kitchen countertops, homeowners choose quartz surfacing because of its many advantages. Quartz doesn't need to be sealed, and its seams blend very well.
“Different countertop materials, combination wood and stone worktops, and mixed metal fixtures and hardware will become more common, as will homeowners increasingly repurposing unique furniture pieces or vintage tables as islands,” Zillow observed.
White marble will always be an elegant choice for kitchen countertops, but if the maintenance and potential for staining has you worrying about its longevity, consider butcher block. The go-to choice for farmhouse kitchens, butcher block will wear beautifully over the years, and you can prepare food directly on it.
If other homes sold in your area have quartz countertops and sold at or under your home's value, granite doesn't make sense. In this case, quartz adds the most value. Buyers will pay extra for upgrades but not if they can purchase a home similar to yours for a lower price without them.
There is some debate around recouping the money you spend on upgrading kitchen countertops. But as a general rule, you should not bet on this happening. Instead, if you do choose to go through with the upgrade, consider it an investment towards selling the property faster.
The national average cost to install new countertops at $3,102, with prices ranging typically between $1,859–$4,346. The expected cost of installing new countertops will vary considerably, usually $15 to $70 per square foot, depending on material, labor, dimensions/layout and the kitchen's location.
Durability, ease of maintenance, cost, the environment, and project limitations are all reasons why granite is preferable over quartz countertops.
Quartz can be more expensive than other countertops but is generally cheaper than natural stone and other luxury options. It does require professional installation and can discolor when exposed to high temperatures and extensive heat for long periods.
Granite is often cited as the most durable natural countertop material and is known for resisting cracks and chips. However, as a manufactured material, quartz rates a bit higher on the hardness scale and is slightly more resistant to damage.
Quartz remains top of the wishlist for kitchen countertops. Quartz worktops are made from engineered stone – a combination of ground quartz, resins and polymers to create a really tough material.
“We love materials like quartz and Neolith for durability and no maintenance… Try to avoid materials that scratch too easily, because you'll shed a single tear when you scuff them up within the first week.” That's the truth!
Made popular by Joanna Gaines, concrete countertops are a wonderful way to elevate a farmhouse chic kitchen or add a special touch to an industrial, modern kitchen.
If you plan to stay in your home, you can choose any color you desire. But sellers should opt for white throughout the kitchen. As a neutral, white allows potential homebuyers to imagine putting their stamp on the kitchen, whether that's by adding their décor, changing the backsplash, or even painting the cabinets.
There is nothing that requires you to coordinate and match the counter designs for either rooms. But if you wish to do so, it's also okay.
As mentioned previously, your flooring choice should complement your countertops. By choosing one of the colors within your countertop, your flooring will compliment it well without directly matching it.
The choice here is a matter of personal preference. If you truly want the look of natural stone, then choose the truly natural product—granite. But many people find that quartz countertops offer looks that are different and better than natural stone.
More durable than natural stones: Quartz is harder compared to granite and other natural stones making it more durable and less susceptible to chipping. Low Maintenance: Unlike granite, you do not need annual resealing to maintain your countertops due to quartz's nonporous nature.
Taking the time to care for your granite will help maintain the natural beauty of your countertops. Quartz, on the other hand, is much easier to clean and maintain. Because quartz is a manufactured product, it is non-porous and more resistant to staining. Quartz is also well known for being GERM-FREE.
Pick Classic, Neutral Colors
Quartz can be a single consistent color or feature the looks of beloved white marble and other soft natural stone patterns. When choosing a quartz countertop that's designed to last through the decades, stick with neutrals like beiges, grays, off-whites, and bright whites.
Everything from white granite and black granite countertops to granite slabs has fallen out of style. The second reason granite countertops have lost their appeal is that the preference for light, simple kitchens has replaced the trend of dark, warm kitchens. Designers quit wanting “movement” and instead wanted peace.