Quartz is one of the most appealing and most popular choices for a new kitchen counter because of its durability. The leading brands include Hanstone, Silestone, and Caesarstone. Unlike granite, quartz doesn't need to be sealed on a regular basis in order to prevent staining.
Quartz Countertops
Quartz is resistant to scratches, stains, and heat, plus it's non-porous. This makes quartz one of the most durable countertops you can buy for your kitchen or bathroom.
Quartz countertops are the easiest natural stone to take care of. They are engineered using ground stone and resin, so they don't require regular sealing they way most granite and marble countertops do. This stone is non-porous, so it does not easily stain or etch.
Selecting the most durable option is the best and the most cost-effective choice you can make. With a long-lasting and robust material, you can be sure that you won't need to make another large investment anytime soon. Quartz wins as the most durable material for any kitchen construction or renovation.
Quartz is one of the strongest materials you can use, making it one of the best-value countertops available. Both scratch- and stain-resistant, quartz countertops can look brand new for years even after withstanding heavy usage.
Quartz is the most durable countertop material. A perfect choice for any kitchen or bathroom, quartz countertops contain a mixture of crushed quartz and resin. These materials create diverse appearance options that range from vibrant, customizable colors to the tried-and-true natural finish.
Quartz is undeniably one of the best countertop materials available in terms of both appearance and durability. While quartz countertops cost less than real marble, which they sometimes mimic, they are still a relatively expensive choice.
There may be no kitchen countertop material more luxurious than marble, a natural stone that complements many high-end kitchens. Available in hues including whites, greys and even greens, marble countertops have long been appreciated by bakers for the naturally low temperature of the surface.
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.
Unlike choosing an end table or a sofa, countertops are not easily replaced if ruined due to staining or scuffs. That's why quartz rises above granite or concrete as the stain-resistant countertop material of choice. When it comes to stain resistance and durability, quartz ranks at the top of the list.
You could be considering finishing, maintenance, staining, durability, color, or any other of the number of aspects that come with different countertop options. But when it comes to specific interests, namely doing high level cooking in the kitchen, top chefs in the world prefer granite countertops.
And if you want some white kitchen inspiration, light-colored granite on the “white spectrum” can fool the eye. It looks bright and clean, even if you didn't have time to wipe up bits of pie crust from dessert. The variations in granite slabs hide little messes, and plus, cleaning them up is a breeze.
Quartz countertops from companies such as Caesarstone and PentalQuartz are another good option. Blackband recommends sticking with white or, if you don't like white, a neutral color, such as tan, beige or ivory. Go with a subtle pattern and low veining for a longer-lasting look.
Quartz is made up of mostly quartz mixed with resin. The resin in the quartz is highly affected by heat, and this is why placing a hot pan on quartz is so strongly discouraged. If you were to put such high heat on quartz, the resin is very likely to burn and the countertop's coloration would be significantly impacted.
Durability, ease of maintenance, cost, the environment, and project limitations are all reasons why granite is preferable over quartz countertops.
A Corian countertop is significantly less durable than a Quartz alternative. If you are looking for something extremely tough, you may wish to further explore your options. The large amounts of acrylic polymer and resin used to construct Corian countertops makes them more susceptible to scratches and heat marks.
“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.
The Continued Demand for Quartz Countertops
Quartz countertops have been a popular choice for the past decade, and this trend is set to continue in 2023. Quartz is a man-made material that is composed of natural quartz, resin, and pigments. The result is a surface that is durable, scratch-resistant, and non-porous.
Bottom Line. Solid surface countertops are very versatile and give a reasonable and much more affordable alternative to granite and engineered quartz. Solid surface countertops aren't difficult to clean, either.
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.
Level 3+: High-Grade Granite
This grade of granite has an incredibly unique appearance and is typically imported from India or Brazil. When it comes to a high-grade granite, the thickness is typically ¾ of an inch or more. It will also feature rare colors, patterns, and veins, for a true one-of-a-kind finish.
The nominees for “best kitchen countertop” in selling homes are… Drum roll, please (or rolling pin, since we're in the kitchen)! Without a doubt, quartz, marble, and granite each have redeemable qualities. You'll find passionate loyalists for each of these kitchen countertop materials.
3cm (or 1 1/4") is the standard thickness for kitchen countertops, while 2cm (or 3/4") is typically used for vertical applications like backsplashes, bathroom vanities, and custom edge profiles. The main advantage of 3cm is that it's thicker, which makes it stronger and more durable.
The durability winner is quartz, the man-nature combo countertop. Crushed quartz stone is mixed with resin to produce countertops that range from solid colors to the look of real granite, but they'll beat natural stone in toughness. Quartz is almost indestructible under normal kitchen prep conditions.
Granite is so heat resistant that you can place a hot dish directly on it without leaving marks or stains. When it comes to heat-resistant materials, quartz is your second-best bet. You can't easily scorch quartz, but you will want to use a hot pad before placing a dish directly on it, or you could damage the quartz.