The job of countertops is not easy, having to handle daily abuse and look beautiful at the same time… now that’s a tough gig.

There are a lot of options out there to choose from but they’re not all equal not even close actually especially if you’re aiming for the highest quality.

if you already have a type in mind, you can get your price quoted out here [quote me]

be sure to check your price [to prevent scam]

So let’s take a look at the differences between some of the major options out there…

Stainless Steel Countertop

Stainless steel countertops are making an appearance in industrial looking kitchens now they’re durable and heat and stain resistant but watermarks and crumbs are pretty obvious they also scratch and dent fairly easily so unless you’re going for that really rugged look you want to be careful. My general rule: Save the stainless steel for the appliances.

Concrete Countertop

Now some people are installing concrete countertops for a uniquely modern and industrial look in terms of durability they are tough and heat resistant but they’re very heavy and they’re difficult to install.

You need to make sure your cabinetry can even handle the weight. I know that in some cases you have to reinforce your cabinets even to handle those countertops.

Also since they’re so unique they might not add to the resale value of your home which in my opinion is not a good thing.

Butcher Block Countertop

Now butcher block countertops can be nice to work on they can be great for your prep zone but they’re not generally appropriate choice for the entire countertop.

Remember they do scratch and chip which some people say adds to the charm but they aren’t stained and heat-resistant and they need to be sanded sealed and oiled regularly to stay in tip-top shape. I would use them possibly as an accent.

Natural Stone Countertop

Then there are natural stone countertops. Although there are a lot of players out there we’re going to take a look at the three most common in luxury homes and that’s granite, marble, and quartz.

I’m going to compare them in four different categories – durability, maintenance, porosity, and hygienic quality.

So let’s start with granite countertops.

Now in terms of durability granite can handle normal kitchen wear and tear quite well. However, if a heavy object is dropped on it it may chip or crack.

Granite is not necessarily heat resistant and is subject to problems with rapid temperature change. In terms of maintenance, most people don’t know this but granite needs to be sealed sometimes as frequently as once a year so there’s a little bit of upkeep here.

Granite is porous which means there are little holes that allow liquid and air to pass through if not sealed properly, it may absorb wine and juice stains. Which brings me to hygienic qualities again: if not sealed properly or the sealant wears off granite can absorb and harbor bacteria nasty.

And then we have marble, another natural stone option that pops up in luxury kitchens it comes in a vast array of styles and colors.

Let’s see how it stacks up. Well, strong marble is not the most durable a hard hit from a pot or a pan can chip or even break a piece off. Similar to granite, heat can be an issue with marble as well. And in terms of maintenance as well, like granite, marble has to be sealed regularly to maintain its look.

Now marble is more porous even than granite so it’s prone to chipping cracking and definitely staining. If you spill something acidic like wine it will definitely stain.

In terms of hygienic factors, if not sealed properly or the sealant wears off marbles can absorb and harbor bacteria.

Quartz Countertop

And finally, we have quartz countertops. Now quartz comes in a vast array of colors and designs it’s becoming a favorite for designers looking for a beautiful solution and in this kitchen, we don’t just have any quartz.

We have Cambria quartz. In fact, their Britannica design which is one of my favorites so let’s see how it stacks up against marble and granite.

Quartz is durable – it’s one of the hardest minerals on earth. In fact, followed only by diamond, it’s nearly scratch resistant and does not stain. Quartz is virtually maintenance-free to clean these Cambria countertops. You’re basically just using soap and water. That’s it, no sealers or polishing ever needed.

Now this countertop which is non-porous as well… means if you spill some wine it won’t stain and because of all those factors, it doesn’t harbor bacteria. So it’s a safe choice as well.

Summary

So let’s bring them all up at the same time. All of these options are good in their own way and can look great in your kitchen but you want your countertop to look as good 10 years from now as it does the day its installed… well, the job of a countertop can be tough, but Cambria does it with style.

Curated from Youtube