Which kitchen countertop is best for you?

If you are fortunate enough to have a kitchen remodel in your future, there are a wide variety of kitchen countertops to choose from. As the counters will experience everyday wear and tear, there is much to take into consideration. How do you decide which kitchen countertop is best for you?  Here are some of my favorites:

Butcher Block Countertops

Pros: Easily maintained with mineral oil and stands up well to kitchen wear and tear.
Cons: Requires resealing about every six months to prevent bacteria growth.

Concrete Countertops (only use in a contemporary or mid-century home)

Pros: Sturdy, resistant to chipping and scratching, and easy to repair.
Cons: They are porous and require regular resealing.

Granite Countertops

Pros: Long a favorite, these countertops are durable and resistant to scratches. Most color choices are neutral.
Cons: Durable, but easily chipped and difficult to repair. Although they are heat resistant, be mindful of setting hot pots and pans down, as this can lead to cracks and other problems. Granite countertops require resealing every several years.

Marble Countertops

Pros: There is nothing more beautiful than the look of marble. Marble countertops are ideal for baking because the surface remains cool.
Cons: As marble is porous, it easily stains. Marble countertops are high maintenance. Simply leaving a glass of water will leave a ring.

Quartz (brand name Caesarstone), aka engineered stone countertops

Pros: Low maintenance, no need to reseal. Surface stains can be easily removed, and it’s antimicrobial.
Cons: They are not heat resistant like tile or even granite.

Soapstone Countertops

Pros: Soapstone countertops are made from a gray or black stone with a white-veined look.
Cons: Because the stone they are made from is soft, soapstone countertops are easier to chip than granite or quartz.

Tile Countertops
Pros: Affordable, heat resistant, and no need to reseal. It also has a “lip.” If you lay an egg on it, it won’t roll off.
Cons: You shouldn’t cut on it because it will scratch. It’s difficult to keep the grout clean.

If I were to remodel today, I think I would opt for quartz. Perhaps a small marble countertop for rolling out dough would be an option if you are a baker.