Your kitchen countertop is one of the busiest and used spots around your house. It experiences serious wear and tear so choosing the right material is priority number one.

At Strictly Tile, we want to help you get the most out of your investment so we’ve come up with a list of the common materials used in kitchen countertops. See the pros and cons of each material, and decide which best meets your kitchen needs.

Granite

Pros:

• Very durable
• Nearly maintenance-free

Cons:

• Quite expensive
• Unsuitable for DIY installation; can crack when installed improperly

Granite offers a rich and classic beauty other materials can’t give. It also has a timeless element in it, fit for almost any taste in any generation. Granite is a very hard material, therefore, is not easily susceptible to scratches. We recommend this material if your countertop is near the stove or oven because of its heat resistance.

However, granite is porous. Granite countertops have to be resealed yearly. Poorly sealed granite counters can absorb juice, oil or wine, creating a stain that can be very hard to remove.

Quartz

Pros:

• Very durable
• Non-porous

Cons:

• Quite expensive
• Lacks the natural finish

Quartz basically shares most of its qualities with granite. However, this material is non-porous so it resists staining better than granite. A non-porous surface means it won’t harbor viruses and bacteria.

Quartz is a manufactured product and many argue it lacks the natural finish granite and marble have. Also, this isn’t as resistant to heat as granite, so caution has to be taken with hot pots and pans.

Concrete

Pros:

• Has an unusual and exotic finish
• Can be customized; can work well with different colors and themes

Cons:

• Prone to cracking and wear
• Porous
• Customization can mean more cost

Concrete gives your kitchen countertop that simple and smooth finish. Also, it is easy to pair with different themes because you can paint easily with the color you like.

Concrete, however, can be very hard to maintain as it’s extremely porous and can wear quickly. The material is also susceptible to staining, just like granite. Acids and heavy cleaners are concrete’s biggest enemies. If you want to set up a concrete countertop, we recommend doing so in an area that won’t be used heavily.

Ceramic tiles

Pros:

• Variety of styles and colors to choose from
• Can be easily replaced

Cons:

• Can crack if installed improperly
• Grout lines can be difficult to clean

Despite being the cheapest option, tile offers flexibility. Tiles can be different — from material type, color, shape, size and finish. Tiles also can be bought more easily as they are usually sold per piece or per set.

However, improper handling of the tiles can lead to breakage. Our experienced team at Strictly Tile promises to deliver a better and more organized tile installation process from start to finish. We ensure to install tiles properly to prevent breakage.

When choosing material for kitchen countertops, aesthetics is only half the equation. Take note of the strengths and weaknesses in the qualities we discussed above and decide which will be the best one for your kitchen’s needs. If you live in Seattle and you are looking to spruce up and make some major upgrades to your kitchen countertop, get in touch with us today.