Heat and scratch resistance stain and bacteria resistance if sealed uv resistance food prep safe.
Natural stone countertops options.
Still the top choice of most homeowners traditional granite countertops offer a high end look that adds to your kitchen s value while providing a durable prep surface.
Bakers love to knead dough on cold marble but designers recommend it be used sparingly as a countertop material because it s soft stains easily and chips.
Each surface material ranges in price some being more dramatic than others.
Tops can be tinted to a wide variety of colors.
Along with the benefits that granite countertops offer there are some points to consider.
Recent innovations in porcelain tiles offer many more design options than ever before including tiles that look like wood marble or even leather or cork.
Once found almost exclusively in high end homes due to its cost granite has become increasingly more common as the go to stone for countertops.
Read on to find out which countertops are the cheapest and which are the most expensive.
Soapstone nicks cuts and scratches easily and some stains are too tough to be washed away.
Granite has long been the premier choice of designers and builders for countertops due to both its beauty and durability.
Every slab of natural granite is unique.
Limestone also has a natural stone look without heavy veining or graining and it resists heat.
They re composed of a blend of about 95 percent crushed natural stone usually quartz and 5 percent synthetic resins to bind the stone.
Because granite is a natural material variation in the stone s pattern is common and for most people adds to its appeal but can make matching up slabs tricky.
Marble soapstone and jerusalem stone are just some of the natural stones used for kitchen countertops.
Engineered stone tops combine the beauty of natural stone with the functional benefits of solid surface materials.
These include granite marble quartzite soapstone porcelain butcher block quartz solid surface and laminate.
Ceramic tile is durable and easy to clean and it is considerably less expensive than natural stone quartz or solid surface countertops especially for diyers willing to do their own work.
Compare quartz solid surface laminate granite and other natural stone countertops to find the best and most affordable material for you.
Homeadvisor s cheap countertop ideas guide compares the most inexpensive countertop options and gives ideas for installing or replacing kitchen countertops on a budget.
You ll get a one of a kind variation along with other advantages including.