How To Choose A Material For A Kitchen Countertop?

Are you longing for a practical and well-equipped kitchen? Then don't underestimate the preparation - just think about the desired size and the materials you like.

The material for the kitchen countertop is very important, because it gets the most work. So, it must withstand high as well as low temperatures, be scratch-resistant and easy to maintain.

Choose A Material For Kitchen Countertop 

There are many materials from which kitchen countertops are made. You can make your kitchen countertop with laminate, solid wood, ceramic, artificial stone, stainless steel, or natural stone such as granite, quartz, marble as well as quartzite. 

So, what are the differences between the individual materials and what are their advantages, as well as possible disadvantages, read on the following lines.

Laminate Kitchen Countertop 

Mostly used material

It is the most widely used material for the production of kitchen countertops, which is produced by pressing a layer of hardened laminate onto a chipboard. The laminate board produced in this way has a rounded front edge and the most common thickness is 38 mm.. 

Laminate is characterized by high resistance to high temperatures, and it is possible to choose from a wide range of patterns, from wooden to stone, at a very affordable price.

It is also very popular due to the possibility of using the same decor on the tiled back part of the kitchen unit, only in a smaller thickness.

You can maintain your laminate countertop so easily, that has relatively low resistance to mechanical damage. It is also necessary to pay attention to moisture, which could damage the core, especially in cases where there are joints or some damage in parts of the worktop.

Solid Wood Kitchen Countertop 

Usually requires maintenance

If you like natural materials and cozy warmth at the same time, you have the option of purchasing a solid wood kitchen countertop. 

A solid wood kitchen worktop is made from individual wooden slats that are glued together to form a whole countertop. Very hard wood, most often oak or beech, is the best material for production.

As a protection against swelling of the massive worktop, a water-resistant glue on a natural basis is used during production, the glued lamellas are subsequently sanded and impregnated with oil. However, you must take care of the countertop surface from time to time. 

If you want to have a countertop made of solid wood without the need for repeated repair, choose a kitchen countertop treated with epoxy resin. In this case, it is not necessary to repair the worktop in any way.

The disadvantage of solid wood boards is their relatively low resistance to scratches, stains, moisture, and hot pots. In addition, the wood is not colour-fast, so in order for the kitchen countertop to remain beautiful, it must be sanded and resurfaced once every few years.

Granite Kitchen Countertop Resistant to mechanical damage

The most suitable natural stone material for the production of a kitchen countertop is granite. Due to its low absorbency, granite kitchen countertops are highly resistant to the penetration of water and other liquids. 

In addition to being resistant to liquids, the natural granite slab is also perfectly resistant to scratches or other mechanical damage.

The maintenance of such a board is also very easy, you just need a damp cloth and detergent to clean it. The granite slabs are treated with impregnation, which needs to be repeated about twice a year. 

Although there are not as many color options as, for example, with laminate, you can still find several different color designs even with stone slabs. 

A kitchen with a stone worktop looks elegant and luxurious, a kitchen unit with a granite countertop will be an aesthetic element and a dominant feature of the entire kitchen. 

The price for luxury in the form of a granite slab can be in the tens of thousands of crowns - but with a bit of exaggeration, it can be said that it will outlive you. 

Despite the easy maintenance, the polished surface is prone to fingerprints, which could slightly spoil the aesthetic impression.

Neolithic Kitchen Countertop 

Another natural stone

Neolithic is a natural material, the advantage of which is, as with stone slabs, primarily high hardness and resistance to scratches - you can even put a hot pot on the slab, as there is no risk of damage caused by high temperatures.

The surface of a neolithic kitchen countertop is also non-absorbent, which guarantees excellent maintenance during cleaning and convenient maintenance of hygienic cleanliness. 

The Neolith board is an elegant element for any modern interior and can also be used as a facing board to give your kitchen a unique and fresh design.

Artificial Stone Kitchen Countertop 

Non-porous countertop material

Kitchen countertop with artificial stone is very resistant to scratches and moisture. 

You can purchase a slab of artificial stone in dozens of different shades, as well as you can also cut it like wood and bent using high temperatures. To the touch, the artificial stone slab is perfectly smooth, warm and well maintained. 

The purchase price artificial stone kitchen countertop is slightly higher, however, it is balanced by the luxurious appearance and at the same time high durability.

Final Words

After knowing the useful details of the above mentioned materials before purchasing your kitchen countertop, you can make your own decision which will suit you best.

Besides ready-made kitchen countertops, you can also order a custom kitchen countertop, if you already have an unique countertop style in your mind.