Kitchen Countertops - Which Type of Countertop Is Best for You?

 Kitchen countertops are indispensable in a kitchen. They serve as work surfaces to prepare dishes, places to set hot cookware from the stove or oven, and very often, in most modern kitchens, part of them is used for family meals, and snacks. Because kitchen countertops feature so strongly in a kitchen, they also add to the look of the kitchen as much as kitchen cabinets do. If you are planning a new kitchen, or just upgrading your current kitchen, have you given much thought to which type of countertop is best for you? There are so many options available, that it can be bewildering to choose the right one. Let's look at what is available.

Let's start with options for those with more dash than cash. If you are on a tight budget and renovating your whole kitchen, you may want to choose to save on kitchen countertops for the moment, and rather spend more money on the parts of the kitchen that aren't easily upgraded, like kitchen cabinets. Kitchen countertops are replaced relatively easily, so if you are looking at which type of countertop is best for you, you can take your finances into account. For the budget-conscious, you have the option of laminates and ceramic tile. Laminates are made of plastic-coated synthetics - they are easy to install and easy to clean, and they are very durable.

There are a lot of colors and patterns available, and you can get a very good effect. The downside of laminates is that once they are scratched or chips, you can't repair them - they have to be replaced. Another inexpensive option for kitchen countertops is ceramic tile - it's also easy to install and keep clean, but you will have a slightly uneven surface, the tiles can crack, and the grout tends to stain.

If you are considering more expensive options, wood or Butcher Block makes a very stylish kitchen countertop. It's easy to keep clean, and you can always freshen it up by sanding and resealing it. You could match the wood of your kitchen countertops to the wood in your kitchen cabinets. The downside to wood kitchen countertops is that they are easily damaged by water. Many people enjoy the 'industrial look', and if you are one of them, and asking which type of countertop is best for you, have you considered concrete? Concrete kitchen countertops are very different, but they are expensive, and if not properly done, they can crack. They are not for everyone, but you may be the unique individual who enjoys something unusual. If you like 'industrial' but aren't sold on concrete, stainless steel may be an option for you for kitchen countertops.

On the expensive side, granite kitchen countertops have become very popular. They add class and elegance to any kitchen, there is an endless color variety available, to match whatever color kitchen cabinets you have. They hold up to heat, and so long as they are properly installed, they can last a lifetime. Another similar option, which is not as well known, is 'Engineered Stone'. This is made of 93% quartz particles. It is heat resistant, stain-resistant, and acid resistant, and does not scratch easily - all bonuses when it comes to kitchen countertops. In addition, it is available in a wide variety of colors so you can always match, or complement your kitchen cabinets. If you are asking 'which type of countertop is right for you, provided the price is not out of your budget, granite or engineered stone will meet your every need.

When deciding which type of countertop is right for you, for some people style triumphs over practicality. Marble is extremely pricy, but it gives the most luxurious look of all. Aside from the price, the downside is maintenance - it's porous and stains easily, and you will probably need to reseal it regularly. You can team up marble kitchen countertops with state-of-the-art custom kitchen cabinets for a state-of-the-art kitchen that will be the envy of all.