Home Countertop Choices- Pros & Cons

What Countertop is the Best for Your Home?

The Brevard Tile Blog has compiled a list of the pros and cons to help you make an educated choice for the best countertop material for your budget, home, and lifestyle. Consumer Reports compared some popular countertop choices and the pros and cons of each. 

Laminate

Pros: Very Inexpensive, easy installation, more options than past, stains, and warmth didn’t damage the laminates Consumer Reports tested.

Cons: You must always use a cutting board with a laminate countertop as cutting directly on the surface can permanently damage the laminate countertop and it can easily chip and peel.

Butcher Board 

Pros: Easy to put in and repair it adds warmth to any kitchen  A good varnish improves stain resistance

Cons: Nicks and scratches can easily happen, though they will be sanded out and refinished and expensive.

Solid Surface

Pros: Many colors and patterns to choose from, often used for the counters, sink, and backsplash, creating a seamless look because joints are almost invisible. Solid surfacing is immune to most stains, and little nicks and scratches are often easily repaired.

Cons: It scratches and cuts easily, so a cutting board is a must.

Granite

Pros: Natural material, each slab is unique. Heat, cuts, and scratches didn’t harm granite 

Cons: Requires a special cleaner, periodic resealing is required to avoid stains. Like quartz, edges and corners can chip and must be professionally repaired.

Recycled Glass

Pros: Large shards provide a fun, contemporary look vs finely ground glass makes simpler. Most glass counters resisted stains, cuts, scratches, and heat like a champ.

Cons: Chips and stains can be a problem Learn more about the newest tile trends

Marble, Soapstone & Limestone

Pros: Soapstone is superb at resisting heat damage. Small scratches are often repaired by sanding finely and applying oil. Limestone and marble are classic materials. Limestone also has a natural-stone look without heavy veining or graining and is heat resistant.

Cons: Soapstone nicks, cuts, and scratches easily, and a few stains are too tough to be washed away. Limestone and marble even have those drawbacks with heat resistance.

Quartz

Pros: It mimics the design of stone yet needs less maintenance. Hot pots, serrated knives, abrasive pads, and most stains were no match for quartz, which may be a combination of mineral, color, and resin. It comes in vibrant colors additionally to patterns that appear as if granite and marble.

Cons: Edges and corners can chip, and you’ll need a professional to repair them. Rounded edges help.

Cement:

Pros: Easy to shape and form to exactly match your kitchen dimensions and finished precisely to your requirements, scratch-resistant and easy to repair, customize easily with glass or other embellishments

Cons: Expensive and needs lots of maintenance and upkeep to stay nice.

If you need some expert advice from a countertop professional check out our article on How to Choose The Best Tile Contractor in Brevard County or give us a call (321) 795-0171.