Which Countertop Material Should I Choose for My Custom Home?

Kitchen countertops are usually installed in homes and restaurants. They are used for preparing food. The right countertop can enhance the look and feel of your kitchen.

There are several options when it comes to countertop materials. Every material has its pros and cons. To help you make an informed decision while choosing a countertop for your kitchen, we have compiled a list of some popular options in countertop materials. Take a look.

Quartz 

Quartz is stain and scratch resistant. These properties make it easy to clean and maintain. It does not need to be sealed in order to prevent excessive wear and tear and limit exposure to the elements. An engineered product, quartz is available in a range of colors, patterns, and designs.

Unlike the inconsistency in coloring that occurs in natural stone slabs, quartz color and patterns remain consistent across entire slabs.

There are a few drawbacks of quartz. It is not as impact or heat resistant as natural stone and is also heavier. Quartz is more expensive than many other countertop materials.

Granite

Granite countertops, a favorite of custom builders in Sonoma county, are found in semi-custom and custom homes around the country. Granite is famed for its ability to resist chipping and scratching, is more affordable than many other popular countertop materials, and is heat, stain and moisture resistant.

Every granite piece is unique in color and characteristics. Slabs can vary in lightness, darkness, patterns, and veining. Granite does not have many cons. It is porous and needs to be sealed to minimize wear and tear. A granite slab may have imperfections and some undesirable variations.

Quartzite

Quartzite is a natural stone. It is easy to maintain – you don’t need special cleaning products to keep your quartzite countertop looking new; simple soap and water would do. This popular countertop material is famed for its extraordinary durability, hardness, and heat resistance.

Unfortunately, color options are limited. Quartzite slabs are naturally occurring off-white or grey hues.

Limestone

Limestone is heat resistant. Limestone countertops can be installed in interior and exterior spaces. Whether you have a tight budget and are looking for a no-frills countertop or can afford to spend extra on that fancy countertop you have been wanting to add to your kitchen for months, limestone is your go-to countertop material.

Limestone is porous and has poor scratch resistance and needs to be sealed.

Marble

Marble countertops are known for their unique white hues and veining. The benefits of marble extend beyond aesthetics. It is waterproof and heat resistant, is an excellent insulator and reflects light.

Unfortunately, marble stains easily and is more expensive than many other materials in this list. Marble countertops need to be periodically sealed.

Holly Construction is a renowned custom builder in Sonoma County. Nothing excites us more than bringing our clients’ design ideas to life. To learn more, call 707-541-0700.