Best 6 Materials for Kitchen Countertops in Trenton, New Jersey
The kitchen countertop is one of the most vital surfaces in any home as it's constantly being used for cutting, chopping, and other various activities which can lead to spills, stains, and burns. With, it’s important to choose a countertop material that is not only aesthetically pleasing but can also withstand a good amount of wear and tear. There are many options available on the market, which can make the decision-making process daunting. To help you narrow down your search, we've chosen 6 of the most popular materials and listed their pros and cons so that you can make an informed decision about which one is right for you.
Granite Countertops: Granite is an excellent natural stone that comes in many colors and patterns. It is a very tough material, making it ideal for household projects such as kitchen countertops, bathroom vanities, and more. The colors and patterns found in nature give each piece of granite its own unique look. The stone is also resistant to splashes, knife nicks, heat, and other types of wear and tear. Granite is one of the hardest natural stones that can be mined from the earth. Cut into slabs and polished, granite makes for a great countertop option.
Ten times harder than quartz and marble.
Comes in an endless number of designs and styles.
It’s a timeless investment that will serve you for years.
It never wears down, is heat-resistant, stain-resistant and scratch-resistant.
It’s manufactured to the highest standards and is backed by a lifetime warranty.
Versatile and affordable.
Natural and environmentally friendly.
Available in a range of 1000+ colours.
Needs some maintenance; some stones absorb stains if not sealed.
May crack if stretched or incorrectly installed.
Unsuitable for DIY installation.
Marble Countertops: Marble is a beautiful natural stone that can add an elegant touch to any modern home. It is a popular material for kitchen and bathroom countertops because it is easy to install and requires minimal maintenance compared to other stone surfaces available on the market. Marble is peerless in terms of its luminescence and distinctive veining, making it an ultra-traditional choice.
Easy to install and looks amazing.
The texture is smooth, with a light and uniform color.
Marble countertops are easy to clean, and are resistant to staining.
Marble is a highly durable stone that can last a lifetime with little to no maintenance.
Adds to the look and feel of your home, allowing you to experience a new level of elegance and sophistication.
Provides a waterproof and heatproof surface, allowing you to use it your kitchen, bathroom and even your bar.
It’s a super strong stone material, that can stand up to extreme level of wear and tear.
Scratches easily and chips easily.
Takes a high level of care and maintenance to avoid scratches and chips.
Not very practical for a large kitchen area.
Quartz Countertops: Quartz is a natural composite made of silicon and oxygen. It is a popular choice for countertops because it is more durable than other materials. Quartz cannot be scratched by acidic substances, which can help to extend the lifespan of your countertop. In the production process, pigment can be added to engineered quartz countertops to create a variety of colors, including rustic and bright metallic colors.
Quartz is a natural material and is therefore subject to some variation in colour, texture and pattern.
Quartz is a material that is highly resistant to acids, alkalis, alcohol, detergents and many organic solvents.
Quartz is stronger than granite, with a higher coefficient of thermal expansion, meaning it does not expand or contract as much as granite, resulting in less cracking.
Quartz is non-porous, making it very easy to keep clean, hygienic and resistant to bacteria.
Quartz is the most versatile countertop available in the market today.
Quartz countertops are highly durable, scratch and stain resistant.
Quartz is a low-maintenance countertop that requires no sealing.
Quartz is a highly versatile countertop material, and it can be used for kitchen countertops, bathroom countertops, and shower walls.
Quartz is not as resistant to heat as granite or concrete, but it does discolour over time if exposed to direct sunlight - although that would take several years.
Although it is an artificial material, it is as costly as natural stone and wood.
This material does not have the natural diversity of granite, so it may be apparent that it is an engineered product.
It’s relatively expensive, though its sustainability may make it an attractive investment.
Countertops are very heavy.
Quartzite Countertops: Quartzite is a highly sought-after material for countertops because it is low-maintenance and extremely durable. It has been used for centuries in areas with harsh weather conditions. Quartzite is a beautiful stone that provides a lasting and magnificent countertop for your kitchen, bathroom, or anywhere else in your home. Quartzite surfaces are quarried in Brazil and can also be used for flooring. As well as being non-porous and stain-resistant, quartzite is also heat resistant, making it an ideal material for use in the kitchen.
Quartzite surfaces are sought after for their beauty and durability.
The Quartzite is an extremely tough stone that is non-porous and resistant to staining.
It is less porous than granite, marble, and limestone, making it more resistant to dirt and spills.
The surface of the Quartzite can be cleaned with soap and water, making it easy to maintain.
Quartzite is neutral in color, so the best ones have just a slightly richer or darker hue.
Quartzite is a soft stone that can be scratched or chipped by sharp objects like knives.
Quartzite is one of the more expensive countertop materials.
Quartzite is a porous material that needs to be sealed regularly.
Quartzite is difficult to install and is not a suitable countertop material for DIY types to work with.
Quartzite is expensive, making it a less popular choice for countertops.
Porcelain Countertops: Porcelain is a type of ceramic that is made mostly from clay minerals like kaolin. Other materials are used too, but in smaller amounts. All the materials are combined and heated in a kiln at a very high temperature to create the finished product. Porcelain is often stronger and more durable than other types of ceramic, and it's not as likely to be damaged by water. When porcelain slabs are made for use in countertops, they're usually coated with a glaze that has color added to it. This gives the porcelain a look that is like natural stone or marble.
Porcelain countertops are made from high-quality, scratchproof porcelain that is also heatproof and highly durable.
Porcelain is stronger than granite, making it an ideal choice for countertops.
Porcelain’s tough structure also makes it scratch resistant, meaning your countertop will stay looking new for longer.
Porcelain is virtually impervious to water, making it easy to keep clean.
Porcelain is also stain resistant and non-porous.
Porcelain is a very lightweight material with several installation options, making it a versatile choice for countertops.
Porcelain is a 100% natural product made of raw and clay-based materials, so it’s nice to know you’ll be able to recycle it one day.
Designs that are not integrated can be a problem.
One drawback of using porcelain countertop materials is their limited supply and availability.
The installation may be delicate because of the slim nature of the porcelain.
Limestone Countertops: Limestone countertops are not only beautiful, but also a great choice for your home. Limestone is a natural stone that is made mostly from calcium carbonate. It is a sedimentary rock, which means it is formed from the solidification of minerals that were once in solution. Because the chemicals in limestone can be dissolved by acidic solutions, they can create karst topography. Depending on the conditions under which they were formed, limestone can come in different shapes, such as granular, massive, crystalline and clastic.
Limestone countertops are not only elegant but also add a sense of sophistication to your home.
If you are going for an antique look, limestone is the perfect choice.
Some types of limestone are particularly well-suited to be used as countertops.
You can use limestone throughout your home; softer varieties work well in bathrooms.
Limestone is more cost-effective than granite and marble.
It can be easily folded without damaging the existing structure.
It comes in a variety of textures, sizes, and soft colors; adding a touch of luxury and warmth to your kitchen.
Limestone is a sensitive stone, so you must handle it with care.
Limestone is acid sensitive and can be easily damaged by acids.
Preserving countertops made from limestone can be a challenge, since the soft and porous stone is prone to scratches and stains.
Apex Countertops Kitchen and Baths LLC
At Apex Countertops Kitchen and Baths LLC, we understand that choosing the right countertop surface for your kitchen can be daunting. With so many options on the market, it's hard to know where to start. That's why we are here to help. We'll work with you to find the best material for your needs, whether it's granite, marble, quartz, quartzite, porcelain or limestone. We'll also help you choose the perfect counter edge to compliment your kitchen design and personal style. lus, our high quality products are manufactured from only the finest materials and are guaranteed to last for years to come.
