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Choosing the Best Countertop Materials for Your Kitchen

Updating your countertops is one of the most exciting parts of a kitchen remodel, but there’s a lot at stake. These are the surfaces you’ll rely on every single day. It’s important that they’re attractive, durable, long-lasting, and within your budget.

Fortunately, there are many options available. If you need help choosing the best countertop materials for your kitchen, keep reading.

Countertop materials: Building a hierarchy of needs

It won’t surprise you that no universally regarded “best” countertop exists. Your lifestyle, budget, personal taste, and more determine what’s best.

Rank your priorities first. This way, you’ll be able to tell at a glance whether or not a material fits the most important criteria.

Arrange the following factors in order of importance:

Cost

Appearance

Durability

Maintenance

Sustainability

The 8 best countertop materials for your kitchen

Here are eight of the most popular kitchen countertop materials. They vary widely in terms of origin (natural vs. manmade), pricing, durability, and upkeep.

granite kitchen countertop

1. Granite

Granite countertops are natural stones extracted from quarries in large slabs. Therefore, each piece is one of a kind. This is a higher-end material requiring professional installation, but it’s well worth it. Granite can be the last countertop you ever buy and offers great resistance against scratching, heat, and stains.

Granite Countertop Pros	Granite Countertop Cons
Unique, all-natural patterns and colors	Requires regular resealing
Good heat resistance	Higher in price
Hard mineral resists chipping and cracking	Seams may be visible unless you can locate a larger slab to custom-cut
Popular and well-liked among buyers	Cannot control appearance; limited colors

quartz kitchen countertop backsplash

2. Quartz

Quartz exploded onto the scene as an even more durable, lower-maintenance alternative to granite. Plus, they’re a manufactured composite of natural quartz and polymer resin, so buyers have more control over the appearance.

Quartz Countertop Pros	Quartz Countertop Cons
Low maintenance, no sealing needed	Higher in price
Very resistant to scratches and cracking	Not as unique or one-of-a-kind as granite
More style versatility	Can only withstand moderate heat
Very attractive to home buyers	DIY install or repair not recommended

FACT: Manufacturers add metallic pigments and crushed glass to some styles to recreate the look of whole, natural crystal quartz.

laminate kitchen countertop

3. Laminate

Laminate is among the most affordable countertop materials. It comes in a wide range of styles and colors, and installation is a breeze compared to others. Consider it when looking to save room in the budget for something you want more, such as high-end appliances or cabinetry.

Laminate Countertop Pros	Laminate Countertop Cons
Budget-friendly	Much shorter lifespan than stone
Wide variety of style options	Can be sensitive to scratches
Easy to install and replace	Not very heat resistant
Low maintenance	Won’t add much value to home

tile kitchen countertop with backsplash

4. Ceramic tile

Blend your counter and backsplash in one go with a selection of tiles. Ceramic tile is a popular and versatile building material that’s moisture-resistant, which is great for humid areas. Some who choose a tile countertop simply like that if a crack, chip, or stain occurs, they only have to replace the damaged tile/s, so it’s a lower-risk investment.

Tile Countertop Pros	Tile Countertop Cons
Affordable	Requires grout, which can stain
Lots of style variation and artistic freedom	Install and customization requires skill
Moderate heat resistance	Tiles are known to crack
Can be DIYed

marble kitchen countertop

5. Marble

Marble has been synonymous with luxury for centuries. Like granite, it’s a natural stone with its unique patterns. Unlike granite, it’s a softer stone susceptible to scratching. It requires quite a bit of maintenance, and you must take great care with general use and cleaning products.

Marble Countertop Pros	Marble Countertop Cons
Beautiful and timeless appearance	Expensive
Moderate heat resistance	Susceptible to scratches and etching
Each piece is unique	Needs regular sealing

solid surface kitchen countertop

6. Solid surface

Solid surface countertops are a composite of mineral dust, acrylic, and resins. Together, these materials make a countertop that’s a step up from laminate but not quite on the level of quartz or granite. However, some buyers like that it sits right in the middle in terms of weight, durability, and price.

Solid Surface Countertop Pros	Solid Surface Countertop Cons
Wide range of colors and styles	Avoid extreme heat or certain chemicals
Reasonably crack and heat resistant	May contain visible seams
Easy to clean and low maintenance	Heavier and pricier than laminate
Some are made from recycled materials

FACT: The name “solid surface” indicates what differentiates it from laminate. Laminate is a layer of material sitting on top of particle board. Solid surface contains no layers and is a solid slab of fabricated material.

wood kitchen countertop

7. Wood

The classic all-natural beauty of wood is unmatched by any other material. In addition to aesthetic value, it’s sustainable, can be repaired, and more durable than you might assume. The trick to making wood countertops work is choosing the right piece at the right thickness. Well-maintained wood counters can last a few decades.

Wood Countertop Pros	Wood Countertop Cons
Eco-friendly and unique	Requires more maintenance
Moderate heat resistance	Bacteria can seep into porous material
Damaged areas can be sanded	Higher-quality woods can be expensive
Great aesthetic value	Wear and moisture can alter color

stainless steel kitchen countertop

8. Stainless steel

Hygienic home cooks can appreciate stainless steel’s elegant professionalism. Warm up its industrial appearance by offsetting it with wood cabinets or open shelving. In addition to being very hygienic, stainless steel is easy to clean, very durable, and repels moisture.

Stainless Steel Countertop Pros	Stainless Steel Countertop Cons
Modern aesthetics	Can be susceptible to dents
Clean and bacteria-resistant	Smudges and fingerprints show easily
Relatively affordable	Limited in appearance
Easy to maintain

Tips for maintaining different countertop materials

Material	Care & Maintenance
Granite	Seal granite countertops every six months to one year with a specialized product formulated for granite Wipe countertops completely dry after spills or cleanings Do not use a knife directly on granite countertops Use trivets or hot pads; do not put hot pans directly onto the counter
Quartz	Do not use scouring pads, steel wool, or other abrasive cleaners on quartz Clean up spills immediately to prevent staining Use trivets, hot pads, and cutting boards to extend the life of the countertop
Laminate	Clean regularly with soft cloths and polishes to keep laminate looking great for longer Never use a knife or set hot pans directly on laminate Clean spills immediately to prevent staining Don’t use ceramic or metal trivets that can scrape and scratch the laminate layer
Solid surface	Maintain with a neutral pH cleaner (dish soap is a good example) Check the manufacturer’s recommendations to see if a sealer is necessary No cutting or hot cookware directly on the counter
Ceramic tile	The tile itself and the grout demand different cleaning protocols; grout may require harsher abrasives Blot instead of wiping to avoid spreading spills into the grout Sit heavy objects down gently to avoid cracks from abrupt, heavy impact
Marble	pH neutral cleansers are non-negotiable to prevent etching Dilute mild soaps with water for safe cleaning Dry thoroughly after any moisture exposure to prevent water spots Do not let common acids such as lemon juice sit on marble Look into marble-specific sealants to prolong life
Wood	Depending on usage level, oil wood counters every one to two months Use different oil soaps, waxes, and conditioners based on the type of wood Clean spills immediately since wood is most vulnerable to moisture Do not let raw meats or other potential contaminants sit directly on wood
Stainless steel	Very tolerant to frequent use of non-abrasive cleaners Fingerprints and smudges are easier to remove when addressed promptly Do not use bleach or ammonia Do to stack or drop heavy objects onto the countertop to prevent denting Consider a steel-specific polish for the best look

Explore the best countertop materials for your kitchen at The Designery

There’s a home for every type of countertop material. Your solution may even involve multiple materials for different areas of the kitchen.

The only way to truly know is to see for yourself. The Designery offers more than 100 countertop styles to explore, many with various customizable details. Sign up for a complimentary design consultation to get a closer look.