Countertops -- What to pick and why!
Countertops -- What to pick and why!
Okay so let’s talk counters for a minute! We get asked all the time about what counter material we prefer the most and why. Truth is, it just depends on what you are looking for! So we though it might be helpful for you to learn more about the properties and in what cases we would select the various options!
If you are looking for the source of the images, click each one and it’ll take you to the place we found it!
Granite
Granite is a really durable hard surface option if you are looking for an all natural stone. You do have to occasionally seal it if you are noticing water rings or liquid soaking in. Generally speaking, this is a super safe and durable material to use and the natural color options are really unmatched to anything man made.
MARBLE
Another favorite among natural stone options, Marble has a natural ethereal and old world vibe that many people are drawn to. We love using Marble but always caution clients on the maintenance. It is a softer, more porous material so it does tend to scratch easy and require more maintenance. If you are okay with a more “lived in” look and a little extra maintenance, the natural look and feel of Marble is really unmatched.
PORCELAIN
New to the scene, porcelain has some really interesting and unique properties worth mentioning. They are super thin (like porcelain tile) and can withstand the elements as an outdoor counter surface! Porcelain is also a VERY dense and durable product but your installer will probably give you grief for selecting this material as it is difficult to cut and can chip easily with a dull blade. Once cut and installed, it is bulletproof!
quartz
The most commonly misunderstood option of all time friends. I have literally had arguments with people who tell me this is a natural surface. I mean, they are partially right but also not. Quartz is a man made counter surface made up of ground granite, quartzite and resin (or glue). The amount of glue depends on the manufacture but generally ranges from 3-7%. Because it is man made, the slabs of a particular pattern all look the same. It is poured into a pattern over and over again and there is little to no natural variation to it. That being said, we do A LOT of quartz. It is a super durable, easy to maintain surface with both matte and polished options. The marble looks have also come a long way and look really great.
quartzite
This is the real deal of the quartz family. It is 100% quartz and is a completely natural stone. It had some really stunning depth that you just don’t get with other natural stone. The glass like quartz allows light to pass through and interact differently with the stone and the results can be breathtaking. We have been specifying quartzite more and more because of how special it really is. It has the same maintenance plan as marble but tends to be slightly less scratchable.
Soapstone
Another favorite of ours, this natural material is dark and moody and is essentially the dark sister to Marble. It is just as scratchable and porous so we do advise our clients of that prior to install. But, let me tell you, it is worth it. I have this in my own house on our island and love the time worn charm it has to offer.
STAINLESS STEEL
If the goal is industrial modern with a commercial kitchen bent, this is a great option. Easily wipeable, antimicrobial, and super durable. Definitely a look. We like doing these in a laundry or garage where there may be lots of meat prep or random germy things that people would be doing on top of the counter.
Butcher Block
We get asked quite a bit about wood counters. I think it tends to be the first place people gravitate towards to bring in warmth. The thing is, butcher block really requires a lot of maintenance to make it look like over time. If you are someone that wants it to look as perfect as it does day 1, we would no recommend it. If you are cool with a very rustic, lived in finish, we are happy to play with it but definitely prefer walnut over maple all day everyday.
CONCRETE
Okay so I lied. This image is not of true concrete. It is Cement Elegance who makes a concrete look product that is nearly bulletproof. I literally left turmeric and salmon egg dye on a sample for hours and it wiped right off! We tend to avoid true concrete counters because of the maintenance and upkeep. I cringe thinking about dropping some wine on it. So, if you are desperate for that look without the hassle, this is our go to. And, they are an Oregon native!
That wraps up the lineup of counters for today! Next time we will be chatting about edge profiles and how to choose those! Questions or comments? Drop them below!
Cheers!
