When it comes to picking out a countertop material for your kitchen, looks aren’t everything. Durability is important, as kitchens are busy areas. That means your kitchen countertop must withstand spilled water, high temperatures, scrapes, stains, cuts, grinding and more challenges.
That’s why it’s important for homeowners to know about the most durable countertop materials to stand up to everyday stressors.
But with so many options, how can you determine which is the best countertop option for your kitchen?
Keep reading to find out more about the most durable kitchen countertop materials.
What Are the Most Durable Kitchen Countertop Materials?
Here, we outline the best kitchen countertop materials for your budget and amount of usage.
- Quartz: This engineered material is made using crushed quartz that is mixed with resin and epoxy. This creates a sturdy countertop that can be made in unique colours and patterns or mimic natural materials like stone. Being an engineered material, it beats many natural alternatives in terms of its toughness.
When exposed to everyday kitchen food prep, quartz countertops are virtually indestructible. They don’t sustain cuts or stains and can withstand extreme temperatures. So, even if you place hot pots and pans on them, you won’t have to worry about the surface sustaining damage.
Furthermore, the material won’t crack or chip, unless something heavy is dropped on it with force. Moreover, since it’s man-made, the surface does not have pores, like natural stone does; this makes it bacteria and stain-resistant. And the best part is that quartz countertops don’t need periodic sealing so they are considered virtually maintenance-free too.
- Granite: Granite is considered one of the most durable countertop materials and is popularly used in kitchen applications. It redefines elegance in the kitchen and makes even the most modest spaces look luxurious. Its durability makes it suitable for kitchen applications in homes with big families. And being a natural material, there are variations in the stone’s patterns which add a unique appeal. This can, however, make matching slabs tricky.
However, since granite countertops are made from naturally-occurring stone slabs, they have tiny pores that need to be resealed at least once a year. Otherwise, spilled liquids can seep into the stone and stain it. So, homeowners should take care to promptly clean up spills, especially oils, soda, and acids.
On the other hand, granite is almost impervious to heat and there are thousands of colours and patterns to choose from. But they are not suitable for DIY installations, so make sure you get in touch with experts to do the job properly.
- Quartzite: While quartzite is often confused with quartz, they are different materials; the former being a natural material and the latter an engineered one.
Quartzite is one of the most durable countertop materials. It is also resilient to rapid temperature changes and exposure to chemicals. This natural stone’s beauty and durability add an extra touch of functionality to kitchen countertops in particular. It can resist UV radiation, so you don’t have to worry about your countertop changing colours, even with constant exposure to direct sunlight. Plus, the surface can resist high temperatures for long periods.
While a natural material, quartzite countertops have low porosity, which makes them stain-resistant. Furthermore, the absence of pores makes it resistant to mould and bacteria, as well as easy to maintain. The slabs are typically available in various shades of grey and white, although sometimes homeowners may find darker hues of black and brown.
Quartzite countertops are denser than other natural stone varieties and don’t need to be sealed.
- Solid Surface: Solid surface countertops are made by mixing natural materials like stone with polyester resins, acrylic bonding agents, and marble dust. This produces an extremely robust countertop suitable for high-traffic kitchens. Unlike many countertop materials, solid surface countertops retain their durability over time and don’t lose their colour either. They can withstand being cleaned with chemical cleaning agents, making them one of the most easy-to-maintain options.
Moreover, solid surface countertops are available in numerous colours and patterns and the surface is non-porous too. So, you can pick any colour you want and ensure it looks great in your kitchen. Plus, solid surfaces don’t need to be sealed and scratches can be sanded out.
- Marble: Marble countertops are another natural material commonly used in kitchens owing to their unique veining. Since no two slabs of marble look the same, you will have a completely unique countertop.
However, owing to its high price tag compared to other natural stones, it’s not typically seen throughout the kitchen. Homeowners typically use it on a section of their kitchen countertop or the kitchen island. As it remains cool to the touch, this makes it ideal for those bakers among you.
The material is both heat and waterproof, which can add real estate value to your home. But it needs to be periodically sealed to keep it looking new and avoid buildup of spilled food materials. When looked after well, marble can last indefinitely without needing to be resurfaced. This makes marble’s high price tag worth the investment.
Whether you prefer natural stone or engineered varieties, there is no denying that there are many options when it comes to picking a durable kitchen countertop material. Selecting the strongest one may be the best decision you make for your kitchen. With a sturdy and long-lasting material, you can rest knowing you won’t have to make another big investment in your kitchen anytime soon. Hopefully, you will be able to find a suitable variety for your kitchen from the options mentioned here.
