One of the biggest design decisions you will make in your kitchen remodel is kitchen countertops. In the past, countertop options felt limited by both materials and trends, but today’s kitchen countertop options feel nearly endless. While this means homeowners can find a kitchen countertop to suit their unique tastes, it also means it can be tough to narrow your choices to find the right material for your design and lifestyle.
Kitchen Countertop Options for a Kitchen Remodel
Fortunately, we have many years of experience helping our clients choose the best kitchen countertop materials to match their homes, design aesthetics and personalities. Here are some of our favorite kitchen countertop options for your kitchen remodel.
Granite kitchen countertops
Granite kitchen countertops are the new “old standby” material for kitchen countertops. While they gained momentum in the late 90s and early 2000s, granite kitchen countertops remain a popular choice due to their durability and relative affordability (compared to other solid slab stone).
Granite kitchen countertops can be found in a wide range of styles, as well. Since they are a natural stone, slabs come in many colors and pattern variations, allowing a homeowner to find a look that suits them. They withstand wear and tear well over the years, which makes them a great option for families with younger children. They can also be cut to nearly any size and specification, and some homeowners may even be able to get a seamless countertop with their slab.
Granite kitchen countertops will need to be sealed once a year for general maintenance and to avoid staining, but homeowners can easily tackle this task themselves.
Marble kitchen countertops
Marble has been used on surfaces for thousands of years, and has recently become quite popular again in kitchens. Marble, like granite, comes in a variety of colors and patterns. Perhaps more than other stones, marble reads as distinctly “high end” and can be the perfect finish to the top-of-the-line kitchen.
However, marble is quite a soft stone and is prone to staining. It may not be the best choice for homes with small children or for wine drinkers or frequent home cooks. Stains and marks will be difficult–if not impossible–to remove from this expensive stone, so homeowners may want to use marble only as a backsplash or accent piece in their kitchen.
Quartz kitchen countertops
Quartz kitchen countertops have rapidly gained popularity in recent years due to both their durability and wide range of colors and patterns. As a manmade stone, these countertops are extremely durable and some even offer antibacterial properties. Since quartz countertops in such high demand by home buyers, they can also add to home resale value, if that is a consideration for your remodel.
Though quartz countertops are an engineered stone, pricing is on par with granite, so don’t expect to “save” with quartz. But if you want something unique, beautiful and durable, quartz is one of the best kitchen countertop options on the market today.
Soapstone kitchen countertops
Soapstone kitchen countertops are easily some of the most gorgeous kitchen countertop options available to homeowners. Soapstone has a warm feeling and a muted, milky look, so it won’t be as flashy as polished granite or marble. But for an understated aesthetic that complements thoughtful design details and finishes, soapstone is one of our favorites for high end kitchens.
Soapstone tends to have a limited color range and will not have veining like marble and granite. Its hardness is in between granite and marble, making it a good option for large families or home chefs. Soapstone kitchen countertops are easily maintained with regular oiling and make for a great conversation piece, since they are a rarer stone used in kitchens. Soapstone is pricier than granite, but the homeowner that chooses soapstone tends to have a very particular aesthetic and style and won’t mind the added cost to get the look they want for their kitchen.
Slate kitchen countertops
This natural stone has a lot in common with soapstone, in that the final product will have a soft matte finish, rather than a highly polished shine. Slate is another subtle, yet high end option for homeowners who want to make a chic statement in their kitchens. Slate will have some veining, though not as much as marble or granite, and is a remarkably durable and tough stone. This quality makes it ideal for a kitchen that sees a lot of wear and tear.
Solid-surface kitchen countertops
Solid-surface is another manmade material that can be customized to look like granite, marble or other types of stone. It can be formed into nearly any shape, and is typically less expensive than granite or other natural stones. The trade-off is that solid-surface kitchen countertops are prone to scorching and scratching, and likely would not be a good option for high-traffic kitchens.
Concrete kitchen countertops
Concrete had a heyday in the mid 2000s, and for good reason. This kitchen countertop option offers a durable and customizable option for homeowners without the fussiness of natural stone. Today, the range of options for concrete kitchen countertops are nearly endless, with homeowners able to choose a variety of colors and finishes.
Concrete kitchen countertops are extremely heavy, however, and will require special bracing and foundational support. Plus, you’ll need a team of specialists to design, pour and polish the countertop over a period of several days. But once they’re in, concrete countertops can’t be beat for long term durability.
Recycled glass slab kitchen countertops
Recycled glass slab kitchen countertops are one of the rarer kitchen countertop options but they can pack a design punch for the creative homeowner. Made of recycled glass and resins, they are also a green option and can be made to showcase the beautiful bits of glass inside, or designed to look more demure. They’re stain resistant, durable and easy to clean.
Recycled glass countertops aren’t the easiest to obtain, however. You must use a certified company to purchase and install, and pricing can sometimes even outpace natural stone like marble. For the homeowner that chooses recycled glass, however, the pros far outweigh the cons as they enjoy their countertops in the decades to come.
High tensile-glass kitchen countertops
High tensile-glass kitchen countertops are for the homeowner that wants something truly unique that will make a big statement in the home. This new glass material can be formed into nearly any shape and configuration and is bacteria resistant and easy to clean. It’s heat-, scratch-, stain- and mold-resistant as well. The only downsides? Very few companies manufacture this type of countertop, and there is a risk of cracking. It is glass, after all!
Stainless steel kitchen countertops
A long-running staple in industrial or commercial kitchens, stainless steel kitchen countertops are making more appearances in residential kitchens, and for good reason. They can be custom fabricated to your specifications, are extremely germ and bacteria resistant and offer a cool, clean and modern look to kitchens.
Because each stainless steel countertop must be customized and fabricated, however, stainless steel is an expensive choice. Plus, you must find the right specialty craftsman or company to fabricate and install these countertops.
Recycled aluminum kitchen countertops
Recycled aluminum kitchen countertops are a newer option on the market, but are one of the most exciting countertop alternatives in recent years. The look is closer to quartz than stainless steel, and consist of up to 97% recycled materials. They also contain zero VOC’s so the health- and earth-conscious homeowner can have peace of mind knowing they’ve chosen a great material for their home. The only downside is that recycled aluminum countertops are still a bit rare, so homeowners may not have ready access to a local manufacturer.
Wood kitchen countertops
Reclaimed wood or butcher-block countertops are easily one of the warmest, most beautiful countertops on the market. The look can range from very light to very dark, and can add a cozy feel to even the most spacious kitchens.
Because the countertops are wood, however, homeowners will need to take extra care with them. Extensive sealing will be required at install, and regular maintenance is a must. Spills should be cleaned immediately and great care should be taken around high moisture areas, like sinks and dishwashers.
For all the extra attention and maintenance, however, homeowners that choose wood kitchen countertops (and especially those who choose reclaimed wood with some history), have a fierce love for them; a little extra TLC isn’t usually a problem.
Choosing the Right Kitchen Countertop for Your Kitchen Remodel
Your kitchen countertop will be one of the biggest design decisions you’ll make for your kitchen remodel. Be sure to choose a countertop that fits your design idea and your lifestyle. Work with a great design-build team that is knowledgeable and has access to all your options. They’ll be able to help you find the countertop that perfectly complements your design and gives you the kitchen remodel of your dreams.
Kitchen Remodels and Renovations in Columbus, Ohio
Dave Fox is an employee owned company who makes our clients our number one priority. We design and build kitchen remodeling projects for our clients in Central Ohio and deliver the best value through exceptional craftsmanship, excellent materials and ethical business practices. Contact us today to learn more and sign up for our newsletter here!