Adding Value to Your Home With High-Quality Kitchen Countertops

Adding new countertops to your kitchen is one of the top home improvement projects for wowing homebuyers. It’s also one of the most cost-effective ways to increase your home’s value.

Choosing the suitable countertop material depends on your priorities and budget. The most popular materials check off all the boxes for aesthetics, durability, and maintenance.

Contents

1 Engineered Stone Quartz
2 Porcelain
3 Granite
4 Marble

Engineered Stone Quartz

Renovating your home involves numerous decisions; choosing the suitable materials and finishes is paramount. Kitchen countertops, for instance, play a pivotal role in functionality and aesthetics, serving as a focal point in your culinary space.

Quartz counters are a popular choice for kitchens. They are durable, come in various styles, and can be fabricated to fit your home’s design. These countertops are very resistant to scratches and chips and are easy to clean. They are also nonporous and do not require regular sealing like granite and marble countertops. This makes them hygienic and less likely to harbor bacteria.

Engineered stone counters are made of quartz crystals and held together with a resin binder, offering more stylistic options than natural stones. This means they can be designed to look similar to many different types of natural stone. This versatility allows you to select a counter that matches your kitchen design and fits your style.

Engineered quartz is also a good choice for homeowners who want to be environmentally sensitive. This material is made from recycled materials and is a more sustainable choice than most other countertop products on the market.

Porcelain

Porcelain is an ideal countertop material for kitchens. This incredibly durable and beautiful material is stain-resistant, heatproof, and scratch-resistant. It also resists sunlight, meaning prolonged exposure won’t discolor it as other minerals do.

Porcelain countertops are nonporous, which means that various liquids won’t absorb into them and leave behind different bacteria. This is good news for your counters because keeping them clean and sanitary will be easier.

Pigmented glazes are added during manufacturing to give color and design variations to porcelain countertops. They can be glazed with matte, high-gloss, or honed finishes, giving them the look of natural stone. The pattern or color doesn’t go through the entire body of the porcelain slab countertop, so if it is chipped, it will reveal the interior porcelain color. This makes this a great countertop option for those who want to avoid having to seal their countertops frequently. This can be a time-consuming task.

Granite

Granite countertops have long been one of the most sought-after upgrades to a home. They take any kitchen from builder-grade standard quality to upscale and luxurious. You can often see granite in doctor’s offices or luxury hotels; they are popular in homes being built or renovated.

A granite countertop is a hardwearing surface that looks good in many different design styles. There are many colors, and no two granite slabs are exactly alike. This means you can find a granite countertop that fits your design style perfectly.

Granite is heat-resistant, so it is an excellent choice for homes with children or pets that may accidentally drop hot pans or pots on the counter. Granite countertops can also be stain-resistant, especially when they are adequately sealed. If your countertop does get a scratch or chip, it can be easily repaired using a putty that matches the color of your granite.

Marble

A marble kitchen countertop is a statement piece that adds luxury and elegance. Its timeless design will impress potential homebuyers and stand the test of time. While some may hesitate to invest in this high-end material, it’s essential to understand that the positives outweigh the negatives.

While natural marble can stain if not properly sealed, some precautions can be taken to avoid this issue. Today’s sealers prevent staining by filling the pores and absorbing liquids before they can soak into the surface.

Another benefit of marble is its versatility stylistically. Whether you choose a dramatic stone or a more subtle option, you can create a stunning countertop that fits any decor style. Each marble slab is unique, so your countertop will be amazing. Moreover, marble is heat resistant and will not crack or burn when exposed to hot items.