An open kitchen with marble countertop.
Do you have a folder of pages torn out of magazines with colors, and tiles, and other house things that you like? I do.
For the house we are building, it is time to order tile for the baths and a material for the kitchen counters. In this house the living/dining/kitchen is a single open space. The large island is a prominent feature. The countertop material will establish the color scheme and style of the home. I want to get this choice right. To cover all the bases, I made a list of choices:
Granite: This has been the most popular choice in recent years. Granite is a strong, heat tolerant and stain resistant countertop. Its natural look is inherently beautiful, and it makes a strong statement. To reduce the cost, tiles can be used instead of slab granite. On the negative side, color selections are limited, the cost is high, and the shiny polished surface is less in demand than it has been.
Marble: Marble offers more color choices than granite, and is available in a variety of tile sizes, such as 16 x 16, or larger. There are several surface finishes for marble – from shiny polished, to matt honed, to rustic tumbled. The honed matt surface is smooth, cleans easily, and makes a good kitchen workspace. Marble is slightly more porous than granite, and must be sealed after installation.
Soapstone: Soapstone is a very durable and non-porous stone with a matt finish, but the color is limited to grey/black.
Limestone: Various kinds of limestone, such as Jerusalem stone, are available. They may be too porous for the high use and food stain environment of a kitchen countertop. Frequent sealing may be necessary for maintenance.
Slate: Slate is used for floors and can be used on the counter. However, some might consider the texture to be too rough for the kitchen counter.
Ceramic Tile: Ceramic tile offers a wide variety of colors and textures. New choices come out frequently. Tile has been out of favor in recent years as the countertop of choice, but could be a good fit with some kitchen styles. The grout joints in ceramic tile are wider than stone tile.
Stainless Steel: Stainless steel is an interesting choice, and could be a perfect for some kitchens. For others it may be too cold.
Concrete: Concrete is still coming on strong in many areas. It offers a soft color palette, but there are concerns over stain resistance and durability.
Plastic slab: Plastic slab material, such as Corian, is very hard, easy to clean, and practical. It was popular, but has lost favor in recent years because of its manufactured look.
Plastic Laminate: This is an affordable, colorful choice that is making a comeback for some urban style homes.
Engineered Stone: Engineered stone, such as Silestone, is a slab material made of stone pieces held together by epoxy plastic. This is similar to Corian, but with quartz and other stone chips added for a more natural look.
Glass: Several types of glass composite counters are gaining in popularity. One, such as EnviroSlab, is made of glass chips bound in plastic. Another, such as Icestone, is a colorful countertop made of glass chips bound in concrete. The green movement brings these to the forefront because recycled material can be used.
There are a number of new countertops to choose from, and some of old standbys are making a comeback. The important thing is to choose a countertop that enhances the design and color of your home.
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