Top 8 Most Durable Kitchen Countertop Materials

Kitchen countertops are the most used and abused areas in any kitchen. If you live an active lifestyle, then it is highly recommended that your countertops are durable enough to withstand the constant abuse throughout the day. Otherwise, they will give way under pressure. There are several factors that come into play when choosing a material for your countertop. The first thing you need to consider is durability which means they should be able to stand up against heat, moisture, stains, scratches, and even dents. When picking out materials, you also must take into consideration how long they will last before needing replacement or refinishing work done on them. Below are some of the more durable kitchen countertop materials available on the market today. Some materials require a professional to install them, while others can be installed by the average do-it-yourself enthusiast.

Granite

Granite is probably one of the most durable kitchen countertop materials available on the market today. It is extremely resistant to heat which makes it great for cooking and resisting stains. Many people prefer granite due to its sophisticated look that brings an instant touch of class into any kitchen. It can have very dull or polished finishes, which are both elegant in appearance. However, the polished finish usually comes at an extra cost over dull finished granite options. The other thing you should consider when installing granite in your home is if there are any natural stone veins running through it. This will certainly affect the outcome of the stone and could result in a bad installation. To avoid this, you need to choose a slab of granite that has no veins running through it because if they are present, then there is no guarantee that they won't show through on the finished product.

Quartz

Another popular choice for kitchen countertops today is quartz. This material is very similar to granite, but there are a few distinct differences between them. The first difference between quartz and granite is the latter can come in several different color options. In contrast, quartz generally comes in one color option, which goes by many names, including pure white, cream white, or oyster white. If your style calls for matching appliances, then either quartz or granite will work nicely with any stainless steel finish appliances you might have in your kitchen. Like granite, quartz is extremely heat resistant, which makes it great for cooking. It resists stains and scratches very well, but not as much as granite does in these categories. The one thing that can be said about quartz that isn't good for its durability is that it cracks fairly easily under extreme temperature changes. So if you happen to live somewhere where there are wide swing temperature changes from day to night, then this could present a problem with quartz.

Marble

If you're looking for an elegant appearance in your kitchen, then marble is probably the best material to consider. It has a very sophisticated look that will bring an instant touch of class into any kitchen. The problem with using marble as countertops is it can be very porous, so stains are able to show easily, even after they have been cleaned. Moisture really affects this aspect of marble because it makes the stain penetrations worse than if they were allowed to remain dry, which means liquids like coffee or soda could cause serious problems if left on the surface too long. The main thing to keep in mind when choosing marble as your kitchen countertops material is no matter how durable it may be. There will always be issues with staining and scratching unless you take excellent care of them yourself. In order to prevent damage from happening due to household chemicals or foods left on the surface, one should purchase a marble cutting board that can be used to protect the countertop from these marks and stains while cooking.

Ceramic Tile

If you need an extremely durable kitchen countertop but don't want anything quite as fancy-looking as marble, then a ceramic tile is an excellent choice. This material can be purchased in many different colors, patterns, or even having accent tiles embedded within them to really make them unique. Ceramic tile has a wide range of heat resistance which makes it very durable for cooking tasks. It's incredibly resistant to scratching and staining, so your countertops will remain looking great no matter how much work you have them doing. Ceramic tiles are only problematic when it comes to not being able to withstand temperature changes well. However, this isn't necessarily a deal-breaker if you take the time to prepare by covering the surface with a cutting board or mat before using hot pots or pans that would usually crack another kind of countertop material.

Concrete

Another incredibly durable material for kitchen countertops is concrete. This choice will give you a unique look with various finishes that can be applied to it, such as efflorescence marble or aggregate countertop patterns, which are both completely resistant to chipping and scratching. If you're looking for something truly unique, then this is the option for you.

Cleaning Concrete Countertops

Unlike marble, ceramic tile, and other options on this list, concrete countertops require special products in order to cut through the sealant that's been applied to them during manufacturing. With proper care and maintenance, your design choices will last a very long time indeed.

Soapstone

Soapstone is without a doubt the most durable of all stone materials, including granite. Its polished appearance makes it look elegant and refined in the kitchen. There are numerous heat-resistant qualities that make it great for cooking on, but there are some issues with its durability when it comes to scratching. A knife used carelessly could lead to deep gashes in this material, so always use protective mats or cutting boards when making dinner with it next to your stovetop. When cleaning soapstone, you should never use chemicals that have acid in them. Instead, just use warm water and mild dish soap in order to get any stains off of your countertops without damaging them in the process.

Epoxy Countertops

Epoxy is an integral part of making epoxy resin countertops, which are the most durable when it comes to protecting against heat, staining, and scratching. This material can be purchased in a wide range of colors with all kinds of different patterns. Epoxy surfaces are known for their high resistance to stains and discoloration, so they will stay looking great even during extended power outages or other situations that would usually damage them or leave stains on your counters.

Quartzite

Another incredibly heat-resistant material for countertops is quartzite. It's a very solid stone that's often used in high-end commercial buildings because of its ability to withstand temperature changes without being damaged, and it has a polished appearance that makes spills and stains easy to wipe away, leaving a spotless surface that looks great.

Final Thoughts

When trying to pick a material for your kitchen countertops, make sure you consider the type of use it will receive and take care with what you place on top of it. If you have any questions about the durability of countertop materials, reach out to our team at Countertops Michigan today.