8 Great Kitchen Countertop Materials
Choosing a countertop for your kitchen reno? Read on for your options
As a kitchen and bath designer, I get asked about countertop materials often, usually in the context of “I’m looking for something other than granite to use for my counters – what are my options?” While it’s true that the majority of my kitchen and bath projects get granite counters put in them, there are times when granite just won’t work.
The mirror finish on most granites makes it difficult for granite to be subtle. There are times when this works, but there plenty of other times when it doesn’t.
Fortunately, there are a good number of options out there and here are some of great, non-granite surfaces to use for counters.
The mirror finish on most granites makes it difficult for granite to be subtle. There are times when this works, but there plenty of other times when it doesn’t.
Fortunately, there are a good number of options out there and here are some of great, non-granite surfaces to use for counters.
2. Wood
Wood counters have never really gone away and are currently enjoying a bit of a renaissance. Adding a wood top to an island while using a different material for the perimeter counters is a terrific way to add some interest and function. Wood counters require periodic oiling to prevent them from drying out but they add a warmth no other material can.
Wood counters have never really gone away and are currently enjoying a bit of a renaissance. Adding a wood top to an island while using a different material for the perimeter counters is a terrific way to add some interest and function. Wood counters require periodic oiling to prevent them from drying out but they add a warmth no other material can.
Wood works in bathrooms, too, as this mahogany beauty shows eloquently. This is a beautiful bathroom for any number of reasons, but I love that the designer used wood for the counter and sheathed the wall in Blue Macauba quartzite. That quartzite makes an attractive counter as well but on a wall it takes on the air of a landscape painting.
3. Quartz
Quartz composites are a newer and growing category in the countertop world. Composites are made from stone aggregate and polymers that compressed under high pressure. The resulting material is practically non-porous and just as strong as most natural stones. Since it’s a manufactured product, it has consistent colours and patterns.
Quartz composites are a newer and growing category in the countertop world. Composites are made from stone aggregate and polymers that compressed under high pressure. The resulting material is practically non-porous and just as strong as most natural stones. Since it’s a manufactured product, it has consistent colours and patterns.
4. Concrete
Concrete is a growing segment of the countertop market as well. In the hands of a skilled craftsman, there is practically no shape, colour or finish it can’t transform into.
Using concrete to decorate
Concrete is a growing segment of the countertop market as well. In the hands of a skilled craftsman, there is practically no shape, colour or finish it can’t transform into.
Using concrete to decorate
5. Terrazzo
This is another concrete counter, though the addition of glass aggregate gives it the appearance of terrazzo. Because all concrete counters are one-of-a-kind, adding different coloured glass or stone to the mix while it’s being made can be just the thing if there are specific colours you’d like to integrate into a design.
This is another concrete counter, though the addition of glass aggregate gives it the appearance of terrazzo. Because all concrete counters are one-of-a-kind, adding different coloured glass or stone to the mix while it’s being made can be just the thing if there are specific colours you’d like to integrate into a design.
6. Glass
The counter shown here is made from glass that’s been painted on the back side. Glass is a great counter material, and the thickness of glass used as a counter gives it a strength that’s difficult for other surfaces to match. It’s such an unexpected material for this use that it never fails to get a positive response.
The counter shown here is made from glass that’s been painted on the back side. Glass is a great counter material, and the thickness of glass used as a counter gives it a strength that’s difficult for other surfaces to match. It’s such an unexpected material for this use that it never fails to get a positive response.
7. Stainless steel
Stainless steel was invented in the early 1900s and made its way into commercial kitchens shortly after that. It was a short step from commercial to residential kitchens and it’s been a standby ever since. Stainless steel is a classic, though one with an industrial edge.
Stainless steel was invented in the early 1900s and made its way into commercial kitchens shortly after that. It was a short step from commercial to residential kitchens and it’s been a standby ever since. Stainless steel is a classic, though one with an industrial edge.
8. Solid surface
Solid surface is the product category, and Corian is one of the brands available. All solid-surface products are made from mineral powder blended with acrylic and sometimes polyester binders.
Before the big move to granite and natural stone 10 to 15 years ago, Corian was the go-to counter material. Manufacturers are always coming up with new colours and textures and as always the material can be formed and shaped into anything someone can imagine.
Corian and the rest of the products that make up the solid surface category remain the only material that can be seamed invisibly.
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What do you think? Does the kitchen of your dreams have granite counters, or is it time for something new?
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Solid surface is the product category, and Corian is one of the brands available. All solid-surface products are made from mineral powder blended with acrylic and sometimes polyester binders.
Before the big move to granite and natural stone 10 to 15 years ago, Corian was the go-to counter material. Manufacturers are always coming up with new colours and textures and as always the material can be formed and shaped into anything someone can imagine.
Corian and the rest of the products that make up the solid surface category remain the only material that can be seamed invisibly.
TELL US
What do you think? Does the kitchen of your dreams have granite counters, or is it time for something new?
MORE
Choose from These Kitchen Countertop Edges
The Low-Down on the Top 10 Backsplash Materials
Hands down, my favourite counter material is Cararra marble. Marble is not for everybody though. It is a softer stone than granite is and it scratches and stains. It’s an inherent characteristic of the material and frankly it’s part of why I like it so much. I like materials that age and show wear. If you don’t, then you are not a candidate for marble counters.
Can you tell Carrara and Calacatta marble apart?