Durable Kitchen Counter Materials
Spills, explosions of powder, and sticky residue all have marred our beautiful kitchen counters. Kitchen counters take the brunt of a lot oflife’s events. When they say, “kitchens are the heart of the home,” then the center of a kitchen must be its counters, one of the many decisions most agonized over when buying or creating their homes..
Well, agonize no more. Here at Anderson and Rodgers, we are here to discuss the best durable kitchen counter materials for your home so we can make the process a little easier. There are several durable, beautiful options for your kitchen—including quartz, marble, and granite. We will list each material according to budgeting goals, durability, and style goals. After all, everyone deserves a little break, even if it comes inside your own home! With these tips, you can decide on the best kitchen counter materials for your home.
Setting Your Budget
The first step to finding the best durable kitchen counter materials is setting your budget, something our team here respects when it comes to creating your perfect home. Since the average countertop replacement can cost several thousand dollars, deciding on a budget is an extremely important first step. For those who desire granite countertops, be ready spend anywhere from $50 to over $300 per square foot, depending on the style and type of material. Granite countertops are best left to be installed by professionals, as they require extra care when installed. Quartz is perfect for those who have a lower budget, as it ranges from $50 to $175 per square foot. Quartz can also be easily cut to match the cabinetry to your liking. Marble countertops may be the most expensive option, here—but marble is known for its striking look.
Deciding on Durability
Granite
After settling on your budget, you can now dive into the nitty gritty of kitchen countertop shopping, including durability. The most durable kitchen countertop material is granite. An excellent investment, granite easily absorbs heat and resists scratching, it is both easy to clean and can withstand some serious wear and tear. However, like many natural materials, it needs to be polished every couple months and sealed annually or every few years depending on the type of sealer applied during fabrication.
Quartz
Coming in second is quartz. Slightly cheaper, quartz ranks second in durability. A material that can be transformed in many ways, quartz is perfect for those who enjoy letting their inner creative shine it comes in almost any color. Quartz is also known for its solidity, durability, and lack of porosity since it is a manmade material. Using highly alkaline or acidic cleaners will hurt your quartz counters, so make sure to clean up any acidic messes quick to keep your counters looking good for years to come.
Marble
If you want something classic and strong, we highly recommend marble. While not necessarily the most budget-friendly option, marble is an absolutely gorgeous natural material with a high-end appeal. They will look great as long as you avoid acidic cleaners and treat any stains immediately—marble can discolor if not treated correctly. Marble is durable when it comes to heat, but it is soft and can scratch and it also requires a sealer because it is a natural stone.
Conclusion
Each style of counter has its list of pros and cons. To learn more about the most durable kitchen countertop materials and talk to a specialist about which will work best for your lifestyle, be sure to contact us or visit us today at Anderson and Rodgers. We are located in Lexington, Kentucky and Cincinnati, Ohio and serve Southwest Florida as well. We also proudly serve greater Lexington, Cincinnati and Central Kentucky areas including Versailles, Georgetown, Richmond, Winchester.
