Kitchen Countertops:
The Best of the Best
Local tri-state countertop company that services Connecticut, New York & New Jersey. We have a wide selection of granite countertops.
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Finding the perfect countertop material for your kitchen remodel can be intimidating. After all, there are tons of options to choose from—and after you pick the stone you like, there are even more style and design choices.
You want a countertop type that suits your lifestyle and taste but also fits within your budget. These are all things to consider as you look for something that you’ll be happy with for a long time to come.
At Benchmark Surfaces, we offer the best of the best of countertop materials. When it comes to the top choices to use for your kitchen, we stock granite, marble, and quartz—and that’s what we’ll focus on today in order to narrow down your search for the perfect material.
The Countertop in Your Kitchen
There are certain factors that you should keep in mind when deciding on your kitchen countertop material. These factors include the following:
- design, color, and style
- material size and shape
- matching the backsplash
- matching the kitchen island
- level of maintenance
- durability
- cost, including installation and overall maintenance fees
Granite
If you go with kitchen countertops made of granite, you will enjoy a very sturdy, durable material. These types of countertops have been popular for a few decades, and they have staying power due to their toughness, versatility, and beauty factor.
Every granite slab is unique—you won’t find two of the same design in the entire world. That’s another reason why people love this stone; it is decorated with patterns that cannot be duplicated.
Granite is one of the best choices in terms of heat resistance. Since this stone is formed under such intense pressure and heat inside the earth’s surface, it has no problem with hot pots and pans. (But we’d rather be safe than sorry, so we always recommend using a hot pad or trivet!)
You don’t have to worry about your granite slab being scratched either. In fact, it’s more likely that your granite countertop will dull the knife that you’re using rather than sustain damage from its blade. And while chipping is possible, it’s not likely unless you drop something very heavy around the edge of the countertop.
Since granite is a porous stone, it calls for sealant and regular resealing. But don’t worry—it’s a simple process that doesn’t take an expert to complete.
Quartz
Quartz is a great material for people who aren’t interested in spending time caring for their countertop. This engineered stone doesn’t involve much maintenance, and that’s mostly due to the fact that it comes with its own sealant. Because it includes a small percentage of polymers and resins in its makeup, the pores of quartz are sealed, and you never have to worry about completing the process manually.
This makes quartz kitchen countertops especially tough. They aren’t likely to crack because the resins included make them a much more flexible material. But there is one thing to watch out for: they are not as heat resistant as natural stone due to those very same resins. Scorching is possible, so always use a hot pad!
If you enjoy a uniform, streamlined look for the design of your kitchen, quartz is perfect. Since it’s man-made, its patterns are more predictable in a way that’s impossible for natural stone.
Marble
Marble kitchen countertops are the height of sophistication. Available in two finishes, polished and honed, they are capable of brightening any room with their crisp and clean aesthetics. This material has been used for thousands of years, and it’s no wonder the popularity hasn’t died down—the aesthetics of this stone are classic.
It should be known that marble is softer and more porous than granite, which means it’s necessary to keep up on the sealing routine. Acidic substances should also always be avoided around its surface because they have the potential to stain even sealed marble.
Your Kitchen Countertops
The decision rests on your shoulders. What countertop material suits your lifestyle best? To learn more about our top choices for kitchen countertops, contact Benchmark Surfaces today.