Kitchen Countertops - What to Choose?

When you are building a home or remodeling an existing home, you have so much to think about when selecting design options. One of the biggest and most visible are your kitchen countertops! There are so many incredible options available. The trends are always evolving, yet some continue to hold their value, charm, and appeal. 

Recently, at RDS, we launched our Front Porch Friday video series. Our first video focused on kitchen countertops and we’d like to continue the discussion in this blog. What do you need to know about the current trending countertops and what is making its way onto kitchen counters? 

Here and Trending:

 Granite:

• Every piece is unique and distinct in its appearance
• It looks luxurious which makes it a very popular choice
• It is resistant to heat, nicks, and normal use
• The larger the piece makes it harder to match
• If sealed properly and routinely, it is very durable
• It is still expensive, but slowly becoming more affordable
• A durable prep surface

Engineered Quartz:

• A manufactured stone product that is almost maintenance free
• Extremely durable making it scratch, heat, stain, and impact resistant
• Available in a wide range of colors and styles
• Being non-porous means it doesn’t need to be sealed

 Butcher Block

• Very appealing as an accent piece
• Creates a feeling of warmth
• Easy to clean, but must be properly sealed
• Sealing properly gives it antimicrobial properties, making it more sanitary for meal prep
• Can be damaged by stains and water, but can be sanded and resealed

 Up and Coming:

 Quartzite:

• A very durable surface that withstands heat
• Appearance is more like granite than manufactured quartz since it is a naturally occurring rock
• High-end look
• Needs to resealed every year or it can stain

Marble:

• Seeing more and more of it
• Natural look is comparable to quartzite and granite, but more subdued in color
• Product is very soft, making it susceptible to scratches and stains
• Needs constant tender loving care and sealing 
• Elegant look
• Expensive 
• Waterproof and heatproof

Concrete:

• Not what you find on your basement floor
• One of a kind, unusual industrial look
• It is versatile, able to cast to your specific size and shape 
• Tinted to any color, mixed with glass or tile, textured, or polished
• While it is porous, it can be sealed
• Custom work makes it a bit expensive 
• Scratch and heat resistant

Whatever you choose, your kitchen will be a reflection of your dreams for the space. Our designers would be happy to meet with you and help you make the perfect choice for your newly designed kitchen.  Do you have more questions about countertop products? Konkus Marble & Granite, one of our trusted suppliers, is here to guide you in your search.