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Jun

Which Countertop Materials Are The Most Durable?

The best kitchen countertop materials are those that last long and can stand against almost anything that kitchen prep throws at them. Granite countertops are the most popular, but are they also the most durable? Here is a list of countertop materials ranging from the most durable to the least.

Most Durable Countertop Materials

Quartz

The most durable countertops of them all is none other than quartz. This man-made material is seriously a titan in the kitchen. It requires almost zero maintenance. It doesn’t need to be sealed because it’s not porous and it can also resist heat and scratches better than many. So, that makes quartz a clear winner in the kitchen.

Moreover, you don’t need to handle quartz with kid’s gloves or invest in specialty products to clean the surfaces daily. A bit of water and soap goes a long way.

However, there are still some downsides. For instance, quartz excellent for indoor kitchen but not for outdoor kitchens.

Moreover, quartz is usually available in light colors. From light grays, beige, off-white to stark white. Now, a lot of the time, people want a bit darker color to play with and there may be some limitations. Other than that, if you’re looking for a material that will outlast everything, then quartz is your best bet.

Granite

You might have thought that granite would get the top spot in the list of most durable countertops, but quartz beat it to the punch. However, granite is just as durable as quartz and it’s also long-lasting. Then why isn’t it on the top spot? you may ask.

Well, the maintenance required for this natural stone is what makes people skitter away. Since it’s a natural stone, granite has lots of pores on the surface. These pores can suck water and moisture in and ruin the stone. This is why sealing granite countertops is a must. It not only gives the countertops a shiny surface but also makes them last longer.

As far as regular cleaning is concerned, granite has a sensitivity to acids and harsh chemicals, so you need to get pH-balanced cleaners for it to remain undamaged and most of all, clean.

Solid Surface

Solid surface is another man-made option that’s durable and long-lasting. Solid surface is made out of pulverized rocks mixed in with clear resin and pigments to give the countertops a dash of color.

This rock-hard material is resistant to scratches, stains, and water damage, so there’s no need for you to seal these babies.

The only downside would be that solid surface doesn’t do well with heat. It can get damaged by heat if you constantly put hot pots and pans on the surface. Heat stains are almost impossible to remove and they can ruin the look of your perfect countertops. So, it’s better to protect them with cutting boards and trivets.

Concrete

Concrete is a very versatile and reasonable option to go for. Concrete is hydrophilic, so it loves moisture and it will absorb any moisture in the surroundings within minutes if not seconds. So, sealing these countertops is a must.

Concrete countertops also have great resistance against pressure and heat, so you can deal with hot food all you want on this countertop material and it won’t budge. It also endures scratches well, so you won’t have a scratched-up surface at the end of the day. The best part? You can get it in any color and shape you want.

Tile

Tile countertops are durable too. Don’t let the wafer-thinness fool you. Some porcelain tiles are durable and long lasting. One of the things that make tile countertops amazing is the fact that they’re really easy to install. Say goodbye to handling huge slabs and welcome tiles because tiles are manageable and you can even install them by yourself if you have a bit of time and skills.

Tiles also perform well under heat and pressure, although they can break or crack easily, especially ceramic tiles which are not recommended for kitchen countertops. However, if your countertop tile cracks, it’s not something to worry about since you can easily replace the broken tile with a new one.

Stainless Steel

If you’re looking for a minimal countertop material that will make your kitchen look professional, then stainless steel is the one to choose. Stainless steel is also pretty amazing considering that you don’t need to worry about waterproofing or anything like that. However, fingerprints, hand smudges, scratches will be an issue with stainless steel. Because of its mirror-like shine, it can reflect smudges a lot clearly and you have to clean them.

Not to mention, stainless steel is pretty hefty in price, as it is in quality, so you’ll need to have a comfortable budget for this material.

Not So Durable Materials

Now some materials which are not that durable and you should think twice before investing in them.

Wood

Hardwood is not the best material to use in the kitchen and there are a couple of reasons why. Firstly, wood is not great against water and moisture. So, it will get ruined sooner because of mold and fungus. Also, hardwood isn’t naturally stain-resistant so you need to seal the countertops right after installation.

Hardwood, on the flip side, is amazing against heat. It can endure high temperatures without any damage, so that’s the quality that makes this material a somewhat good choice, but other than that, you might want to explore other durable options for countertops in the kitchen. If you’re dead set on installing a wood countertop, then look for wood types that do well against moisture.

Marble

Marble is a beautiful natural stone with looks that will make everyone stare in awe, but it’s not as durable as other natural stones like granite and limestone. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that marble needs a lot of maintenance and it’s a soft and fragile material that gets chipped and cracked under even the slightest of pressure. So, marble is even worse when it comes to maintenance than granite.

Therefore, if you’re not a fan of constantly maintaining a countertop material instead of working on it, then it’s best that you don’t go for it.

On the bright side, marble does perform well under a lot of heat, since it’s a natural stone and it’s made inside the boiling depths of the Earth. And as said earlier, marble slabs are extremely beautiful.

Soapstone

Soapstone, a slippery soft material is great against heat and water damage. However, it scratches extremely easily. It’s even softer than marble, so using a sharp knife directly on the surface of soapstone will result in deep scratches that look hideous. Also, if you want to install soapstone in your kitchen, then regular sealing is a must.

Laminate

If you’re looking for a cheap and reasonable countertop material, then laminate is a great choice. It’s popular among people mainly because of its low price and reasonable longevity.

Laminate is made out of layers of plywood and there’s a decorative layer on top and this is where all the magic happens. This decorative layer can be made into any countertop design known to man. So, you can get the look of granite, marble, quartz, or anything for half the price. That’s pretty amazing in the books of the majority of people.

Conclusion

The first 6 materials are amazing for investing in your kitchen because they will last for a long time. The other four are also fine, but not as durable. if you want the best of them, pick granite or quartz countertops. Moreover, choose reliable countertop replacement services Rockville for high-quality slabs and perfect installation.