If you’re remodeling or planning a new kitchen, there are many factors to consider—cabinets, drawers, functionality, and storage space. But how often do we focus on the kitchen countertops? We all want a kitchen that can handle the demands of our intense Indian cooking, so a durable, reliable, and cost-effective countertop is essential. It’s an investment meant to last for years, but choosing the right countertop depends on your lifestyle and overall design style. This guide will help you select the perfect Stone countertop for your kitchen.
Which Countertop Do You Need To Choose?
Selecting the ideal material for your kitchen countertop can be challenging for many homeowners due to the vast array of options available. With a variety of materials, price ranges, and colors to choose from, it’s essential to pick one that not only enhances the aesthetic but also offers durability for years to come.
To come to a wise choice for your kitchen, one that is based on your lifestyle and budget, you need to familiarise yourself with the pros and cons of each type of material, the amount of care needed, and its durability.
So which kitchen countertop material is right for you? Do you want something elegant that suits your sense of style and persona? Is maintenance a top priority for you? Do you have kids at home? As you see there are many things to consider when designing a kitchen countertop.
What Are the Best Stones for Kitchen Countertops?
Granite Kitchen Countertops
Granite is an incredibly durable and weather-resistant stone perfect for kitchen countertops. Its impressive strength makes it resistant to most scratches, abrasions, and direct heat from pots and pans.
Its natural color variation adds beauty to any space.
Tips To Polish Granite
Want to restore that factor shine? Here’s how to go about it:
- Granite can be polished with wet or dry materials.
- The dry polishing powder is the go-to option for light repairs and is cheaper too.
- Wet polishing is a professional polishing technique used to treat severe countertop damage.
- It is called wet polishing because water is poured on top of the stone to reduce the heat friction between the countertop and polishing pads.
Quartz Countertops
If you’re looking for a kitchen countertop that combines elegance with low maintenance, quartz is an excellent choice. It’s one of the most durable materials available, lasting for decades without losing its natural beauty. Quartz Kitchen Countertop comes in a wide variety of colors and feature intricate veins, with options ranging from browns to creams and greys.
So, what sets quartz apart from marble and granite? While marble and granite are naturally occurring stones, quartz is an engineered product, offering limitless design possibilities. It can mimic the textured look of granite or the high-gloss polish of natural stone. If you have a busy kitchen with lots of foot traffic, especially with kids running in and out, you’ll want a countertop that resists stains and spills—quartz is the perfect choice for that!
Tips To Clean Quartz Countertops
Quartz Kitchen countertops are the easiest to clean compared to marble and granite. Quartz is crafted using a polyester binder making it a non-porous material. This means spills and dirt can’t seep into the material.
Spills can be wiped away with a damp cloth or a mild cleaner.
Bacteria, mold or mildew does not grow on quartz which makes it easy to clean without using harsh chemicals or vigorous scrubbing.
Marble Countertop
If you are looking for a classic yet luxurious look for your kitchen interiors then marble is your choice of material for a countertop. Marble, a richly veined natural stone, has the power to turn an ordinary kitchen into an extraordinary one. A white marble finished countertop can elevate the interior’s of a kitchen giving a clean, lustrous look. This material is also available in many colors including shades of grey, taupe, brown, and even green. Marble is softer than other stones so you might want to evaluate its pros and cons before investing in it.
Tips To Clean Marble Countertops
Mable is expensive so the care required here is more. It comes sealed from the factory and needs to be resealed often.
- Cleaning marble is a daily process.
- You need to frequently clean all the spills immediately with a clean, damp cloth.
- If the countertop looks faded you need to polish it before resealing.