Which Material is Best for Kitchen Countertops?

White Marble Kitchen Countertops and Island with a full height backsplash

If you are in the planning stages of a kitchen renovation or are starting to select countertops for the space, you’re likely feeling overwhelmed with choices. There are seemingly endless options when it comes to both style and material type for kitchen countertops, but how can you know which countertop is best for kitchen surfaces?

At Counter Culture, we have extensive experience in the manufacturing and installation of kitchen countertops. We have worked with both natural and man-made countertop options and have unique insight into which material is best for kitchen countertops. In this article, we outline some of the most commonly used kitchen countertop options and provide insight into what is the best kitchen countertop for the money.

Natural Stone Countertop Options

When wondering what’s the best countertops for kitchens, you may assume that natural stone is your best bet. Natural stone countertops are beautiful and often make a great choice for many kitchens though not all types of natural stone perform the same. Granite, quartz, and marble countertops are all popular choices though quartz is likely the best choice for those who use their kitchens regularly and require lower maintenance materials.

When deciding what is the best stone to use for kitchen countertops in your home, consider that many natural stone surfaces such as marble and granite are porous. This means that these surface options may be more prone to staining and can be harder to keep clean. If having a non-porous surface is important to you, and you also want natural stone, quartz might be the right option for you. Learn about the pros and cons of any stone countertop option to decide which stone is best for kitchen countertops in your home, as natural stone may not always be your best choice.

Alternative Countertop Options

When looking into what are the best countertops for a kitchen, you may have come across non-stone options as well as natural stone. Though manufactured surfaces can be a fantastic choice for kitchen countertops, not all material types function equally. Porcelain and laminate are two popular countertop surface options though they differ significantly in both appearance and functionality.

Laminate is often considered to be a budget-friendly option and is both low-maintenance and easy to clean. Laminate comes in many style options, and a suitable choice can often be found for any space though this material can scratch easily and is not heat resistant. Porcelain, on the other hand, is a more luxurious choice that can offer a nearly identical appearance to natural stone with added functional benefits that make it a wonderful choice. If you are looking for an alternative to natural stone that is both beautiful and functional, porcelain slab countertops need to be at the top of your list. When wondering, what’s the best material for kitchen countertops, porcelain slab needs to be at the top of your list.

What Is the Best Kitchen Countertop for the Money?

Shopping for the countertops in your home can feel like a tough choice. Everyone wants to know what stone is best for kitchen countertops when shopping, but it is important to keep in mind that every homeowner has different needs and expectations for their kitchen. At Counter Culture, we understand that functionality, beauty and ease of cleanliness are some of the top considerations for anyone looking to know what is the best stone for kitchen countertops. For that reason, we find that porcelain slab is often the more suitable choice when looking for both value and appearance. Our previous article, What is Porcelain and Why You Might Want Porcelain Countertops outlines why we think porcelain is a great choice though you can also feel confident in choosing porcelain slab for its practical features.

  • Heat-resistant
  • Non-porous
  • Stain-resistant
  • Easy to clean
  • Durable
  • Eco-friendly choice

Porcelain slab countertops can be manufactured in a variety of styleds and colour options. Whether you are looking for a natural stone look with added functionality or prefer more unique styles such as wood or even more colourful choices, porcelain slab is ideal. See our post Is Porcelain Slab Affordable for more information on why porcelain slab is the best kitchen countertop for the money.

Have more questions about porcelain kitchen countertops or looking to find an experienced porcelain slab fabricator? Contact the experts at Counter Culture today. We look forward to helping you find the ideal porcelain slab countertop option and have extensive experience working with homeowners, designers and home builders too.

About Counter Culture

The Counter Culture team has dedicated the last decade to the study of the large format porcelain slab trend in the industry. With a thorough understanding of the porcelain slab stone fabrication process, Counter Culture Inc is the fabricator GTA builders, homeowners and designers can depend on for any application involving these resilient surface products. Combining experience, technology, thorough understanding of the manufacturing process and enthusiasm for all things large format porcelain stone, we can help bring your ultimate vision to reality. No matter the brand or thickness, if you can dream it, we can make it.