Countertops are the backdrop of any kitchen. Selecting a durable kitchen countertop surface material is the first crucial step to a functional and beautiful kitchen.
When picking a material for your kitchen countertop, you want something that is robust and long-lasting with minimal wear and tear. It should also be able to withstand high temperatures, water splashes, grinding, scrapes, and more.
But, with so many options on the market, how do you determine the most durable kitchen countertop? How do you differentiate between natural, man-made, and engineered materials?
There’s a lot to explore before you settle for any one option. Luckily, this article helps answer all these hard questions for you. Here are the five most durable countertops for the kitchen, ranked on their level of durability:
5 Most Durable Kitchen Countertops
Quartz takes first place in terms of durability. Made of crushed quartz stone mixed with polymers and resin, this artificially engineered stone countertop is an extremely durable surface that resembles natural stone.
Since quartz is a blend of synthetic resins and natural stone, it is more resistant to household cleaning chemicals and supplies than natural stone options. So your quartz countertop surfaces will always be looking clean and immaculate. Additionally, it is stain and bacteria-resistant.
Quartz also beats natural stone in toughness and has double the impact resistance of natural stone. Though heat resistant but not heat proof, quartz is one of the most resistent material under ordinary kitchen prep conditions. As such, it rarely requires sealing and polishing.
Most people once dismissed the quartz option because of its simple look. However, with advancements in technology, it is possible to design quartz with rich colors and fascinating patterns.
While quartz has many good qualities, it has one major downside. Compared to other materials, it remains the most costly. Quartz prices range from $40 to $100 per square foot. Having said that, a countertop is not something you replace very often and a quartz countertop is a fantastic option worth investing in for a luxurious look that also offers long-lasting durability.
Granite comes second on the list of the most durable countertops. Made from the crystalized form of hot liquid magma, granite is one of the toughest natural stones.
This incredible material is also one of the most heat and scratch-resistant natural stones available. It resists chips and cracks and burn marks, so you can place hot cookware on it without worry.
While granite is a hard and indestructible material, it requires constant resealing. If accidentally hit by a heavy object like a wine bottle, it chips off.
Constant resealing and polishing helps conceal these chips and stains and maintain the materials’ longevity. Failure to seal it can cause damage. For example, oil can easily seep into the stone, and you may have to apply a poultice to get it out.
There are plenty of benefits of granite, but it also has several drawbacks. First, hiding seams in granite countertops can be pretty challenging.
Secondly, it’s one of the most highly-priced kitchen countertop materials. Granite can be just as costly as quartz. It costs between $40 to $100/ft.
But for those that can afford it, granite is a magnificent material that can add an element of luxury to any kitchen. Its natural beauty can easily fit into any kitchen style.
Laminate is a nonporous acrylic material that comes with endless looks and appearances. This chameleon material is ideal for those who want to go wild with patterns and colors.
Whether you desire a playful design scheme or a monochromatic statement, the laminate option never disappoints. It’s a material that can be shaped into any design concept.
Laminate is also one of the most cost-friendly options. It costs between $10 and $40 per square foot. If you are looking for an affordable material, this is the go-to option.
While laminate boasts many pros, it has a few downsides too. One of them is that it doesn’t hold up well to high temperatures. If you have a laminate countertop, avoid placing a hot pan directly on it as it may begin to chip or peel over time.
While laminate doesn’t require any special cleaners or sealers, it can scratch, scorch or crack easily compared to other countertop materials.
If you’re looking for something not just affordable but also versatile and contemporary, tiles are your best bet. Tiles cost $5 to $30 per square foot.
They are a perfect backsplash and countertop material that is easy to clean.
Tiles are available in countless styles and colors. If you want a one of a kind look, you can mix and match different tiles patterns and colors as well.
Amazingly, tiles are cut, stain, and heat resistant. You can place hot pots and plates on it without damaging the material.
However, just like any other material, tiles also have their set of disadvantages. Tiles can easily crack if hit by a heavy object. The upside is that you only need to replace the broken tile to return the surface to its former glory.
Another flaw of tile surfaces is that they are relatively uneven. Plates, glasses, and cutting boards are likely to wobble and topple over when placed on a tiled counter.
Unlike stoned surfaces, you cannot roll dough on a tiled countertop. Its grout lines easily catch and store grime and dust. So, it requires constant re-grouting and sealing to avoid bacteria build-up.
Made through mixing natural materials like stone with an acrylic bonding agent, polyester resins, and marble dust, solid surfaces make an incredibly robust countertop. Unlike natural stone that discolors over time, a solid surface retains its durability despite its age.
It stands up to most cleaning agents and supplies making it an easy to care for surface.
This non-porous surface is also available in unlimited colors and patterns. You can choose any color you want for your solid surface countertop and mold the surface into a seamless backsplash or sink bowl too.
Solid surfaces don’t require any sealants. If the countertop gets scratched, you can simply sand it out.
However, a solid surface also has downsides. First, it scratches and burns easily. Secondly, it’s made of non-renewable resources, meaning solid surface manufacturing is energy-intensive. It’s not possible to recycle a solid surface, making it an unsustainable option.
Finally, solid surface is also a pricey material for kitchen countertops. This material ranges from $35 to $100/ft.
Bottomline
Whether handmade tiles or indestructible composite slabs, there are plenty of countertop options on the market. Selecting the most durable option is the best and the most cost-effective choice you can make. With a long-lasting and robust material, you can be sure that you won’t need to make another large investment anytime soon.
Quartz wins as the most durable material for any kitchen construction or renovation. Having a durable countertop is a lifelong investment and if you plan to sell your home at some point in the future, its value will be higher if you’ve used a durable countertop like quartz.
Last Updated on June 10, 2022
Looks aren’t everything when it comes to replacing your countertops. Durability plays a leading role when choosing the best surface for your home or business. Busy kitchens and high traffic areas can take a beating, so it’s important to know the most durable countertops that will hold up against heat, stains, cuts, abrasions, and everyday impact.
“Consumer Reports” performed extensive countertop testing and revealed the top performers in this “Best Countertops for Busy Kitchens” article, which highlights the pros and cons of each. This month, we will sort through the list to help you choose the best countertop materials for your kitchen or bathroom. You can also check out our blog – “Choosing the Right Material for Your Kitchen Countertops” to help you decide.
Although natural granite remains one of today’s most popular countertop choices, it may have met its match with the growing popularity of engineered granite. Like natural granite, engineered granite is extremely durable and is heat and scratch-resistant, but its engineered characteristics take it a few steps further. These durable countertops are available in a variety of colors and patterns, and features a more uniformed and consistent look when compared to natural granite (which is limited to its unique colors and veining). Engineered granite from Granite Transformations exceeds expectations as the only granite countertop with ForeverSeal®, a polymer resin baked into the product. With ForeverSeal®, you never need to worry about sealing your countertops. As a result, they will be easier to maintain over natural granite, which will cost you additional money to seal every year. Learn more about Granite Transformations’ engineered granite and ForeverSeal® to see how this may be the best countertop material for your kitchen or bathroom.
Quartz countertops are a top contender when it comes to both durability and beauty. Quartz countertops are made from crushed quartz crystals that are bound together by an adhesive agent (polymer resin) and mixed with color, resulting in a nonporous product that is strong and easy to maintain – with no sealing required. The engineered characteristics of quartz countertops make them stain and scratch-resistant, and manufacturers can design them in a spectrum of colors that mimic granite and marble. Some experts recommend installing quartz countertops with rounded edges, since corners and edges have been known to chip. Being one of the most durable countertops on the market, quartz is also a great choice for commercial areas such as restaurants and bars.
This exciting countertop option offers a sleek and contemporary look that is durable, sparkly, and stunningly beautiful. Recycled glass countertops from Granite Transformations are composed of 78 percent recycled glass (which comes from colorful beer and liquor bottles) and are combined with man-made stones to create a shiny, eco-friendly finish. They are heat, scratch and stain-resistant, making them one of the best materials for remodeling your kitchen, bathroom, and commercial space.
Concrete countertops are a versatile and exciting new choice for today’s homes and businesses. Concrete serves as an extremely durable material for a countertop and it can exude the look and feel of natural stone, metal or wood. Concrete countertops are made from a mix of general-purpose mortar, sand and pigments, and are available in multiple color options. Note that concrete is porous and may stain, so it needs to be sealed upon installation. You will also need to regularly have your concrete countertop sealed. Large concrete countertops may also have visible seams, but these can be minimized with filler.
Popular for its virtually seamless appearance, solid surface countertops are available in a variety of colors and patterns, and are used for counters, sinks and backsplashes. Since they are nonporous, they are resistant to mold and mildew and are easy to clean. Although they are resistant to most stains, solid surface countertops are not heat-resistant and they can scratch and cut easily. (Experts suggest always using a cutting board.) Solid surfaces can also be molded into nearly any shape when exposed to high heat, so this surface has no seams and can be used for other design elements in homes or commercial spaces.
See for yourself why granite is one of the best and most durable countertops, and learn more about the broad variety of countertop products from Granite Transformations. Schedule your free in-home design consultation today.