If you're thinking about furnish or reform your kitchen, sooner or later you will have to choose the material for the countertop. The kitchen countertop is the surface that suffers the most wear and tear, for this reason choosing a countertop whose functionality and maintenance suit our rhythm of life is essential.
In addition to putting our eyes on what aesthetically we like the most, we must take into account other practical factors when choosing between one or another material. Resistance and durability, maintenance and cost are what most concern us and those that help us finally make the decision.
What material is the most suitable?
There are different materials and each of them has its own pros and cons. Analyzing them and reflecting on which one best suits our needs is key to making a good decision. Wood, stainless steel, marble, corian, laminated materials…. Which one do we choose?
Materials for kitchen countertops
Do you want to know the pros and cons of the most popular materials? In summary, we compare one and the other to make it easier for you to make a decision.
Wood countertops
Timber fits in any environment and brings warmth. However, it will be necessary to varnish it and treat it regularly if we want to keep it as the first day; It is sensitive to humidity and imperfections appear with use.
- Pros: Fits into any environment and brings a rustic and warm touch to the kitchen.
- Cons: They are easily scratched and can deteriorate with humidity if they are not properly sealed.
Stainless steel countertops
If we think of a professional kitchen, it is inevitable that stainless steel will attract our attention. It is a cold material aesthetically but appropriate if we seek to give our kitchen a industrial and contemporary air. The characteristics of this material, however, may not be the best for a family.
- Pros: Easy to clean and highly resistant to heat.
- Cons: It is sensitive to deformation and scratches; always use a cutting board. It also records all our prints.
Marble and granite countertops
If we look for natural materials, granite and marble are a great choice. Granite brings a classic and sophisticated air to the kitchen. It is a material somewhat harder than marble, an elegant and clean material that never goes out of style.
- Pros: They add elegance to the kitchen. They have a high resistance to cuts and high temperatures.
- Cons: They are natural stones and therefore very expensive materials. Granite is somewhat more porous so stains, especially oil, can penetrate and leave a mark on it. Both in one and in the other, acids and abrasive products should be avoided if we do not want to alter their appearance.
Corian countertops
Corian is currently used in the most avant-garde kitchens. Made with synthetic resin it is particularly resistant to shocks. It is a material whose ductility allows the design of tops of curved and complex lines and that even in large pieces does not require splices and joints.
- Pros. One-piece countertops can be manufactured. It is resistant and easy to clean.
- Cons: It is very expensive and does not support well the stains of wine, tea or coffee.
Silestone or Compac countertops
Silestone and Compac are trade names for countertops made with a base of quartz, plastics, pigments and additives that achieve a material of great hardness, resistant to stains and bacteria and easy maintenance for its non-porous finish.
- Pros: Diversity of finishes and colors. Great resistance and hardness and easy maintenance
- Cons: More expensive than other materials but cheaper than Corian.
Laminate countertops
Made with a chipboard base and covered with a plastic material, they are resistant and easy to clean. They imitate any material, they are made in any color ... but they have a more limited life than others.
- Pros: Cheap and easy to maintain. Great diversity of textures and colors.
- Cons: Suffer in contact with water and have less aesthetic joints.
They can also be found in the market glass and ceramic kitchen countertops. The options are many; hence it is important to compare features and prices to choose the most appropriate for us. Do you have it clearer now?