The Best (and Worst) Thing About Every Kitchen Countertop Material, According to Experts
Whether you’re looking to give your kitchen a refresh or a full-on reno, pulling the trigger (and spending the money) on the different elements and features can be intimidating. Are they really as perfect as they are on your vision board? What if you change your mind? What if they don’t work the way you want them to? In most cases, you can’t really test-drive a material or appliance — but there are other ways to help guide your decision-making.
To help you confidently decide on one of the splurgiest decisions in your kitchen — your countertops — I tapped interior designers across the country for everything you need to know about four of the most popular materials: marble, quartz, butcher block, and granite. Here’s what they had to say.
Marble Countertops
What it is: Marble is a favorite with interior designers, including Samantha Bailey, founder of Samantha Kate Interior Design in Austin, Texas. “It’s a gorgeous, natural stone material that can vary in color from white with gray, white with gray and gold, black — all the way through the spectrum from greens, blues, and pinks,” she says. You can also choose from three different finishes: honed marble is matte and feels like velvet to the touch; leathered marble is soft and satin with pitted variations; polished finish is smooth and shiny.
Price: According to Bailey, marble is typically priced per slab, and there’s no one number you can put on it. “You can expect to pay anywhere from the low $1,000s for a Carrara upwards of $15,000 or more for an Arabescato or Viola, depending on the origin, variety, rarity, and desirability and popularity,” she explains.
Longevity: There are two kinds of people who use marble: those who love it despite its porousness, and those who love it because of its porousness. Bailey describes marble as “taking on a life of its own while it’s in a home.” You can expect it to etch and show spots or stains over time — however, some just consider this character in the making. “Despite its tendency to evolve, marble lasts for thousands of years. Think of the ancient buildings and churches across Europe that have the original marble on their buildings today,” Bailey says.
Upkeep: Marble tends to be a more high-maintenance countertop material. “It’s best to use a cleaner and a sealer weekly to help protect your investment,” Bailey advises. “A more particular homeowner may want to use coasters and wipe away acid, wine, and juice right away to avoid permanent water spots, stains, and etching.”
Quartz Countertops
What it is: The beauty of quartz is that it’s a humanmade material designed to mimic the look and feel of natural stone. “It’s highly durable and an excellent option for busy households that might not have time to maintain something like marble,” says Gabriela Eisenhart, founder and principal designer at Silo Studios. Eisenhart personally prefers quartz with lighter veining, as it “feels more organic and realistic.”
Price: According to Eisenhart, there are three price tiers you can expect with quartz: Builder-grade is typically $50 to $70 per square foot, mid-level averages at $70 to $100 per square foot, and specialty will run you $100 to $150 per square foot.
Longevity: As a humanmade material, it can last for decades because it’s low-maintenance and resistant to scratches, stains, and heat, according to Eisenhart.
Upkeep: You can opt for using a natural stone cleaner, but all quartz really needs to get cleaned up is some soap and water. “Unlike natural stone, quartz doesn’t require regular sealing because it’s non-porous, making it highly resistant to stains,” Eisenhart explains.
Butcher Block Countertops
What it is: “Butcher block countertops are typically made from strips of hardwood glued together, creating a natural, warm, and rustic appearance,” explains Amy Switzer, founder of her namesake design firm in Dallas, Texas. “The surface may show the grain pattern of the wood, giving it an organic and textured look.” Common wood types for butcher block countertops include maple, walnut, oak, and cherry, with varying hues from light blonde to deep brown.
Price: It depends on the wood type, thickness, and finish. Switzer says that thinner, softer woods like birch or standard maple cost $30 to $40 per square foot, while you can expect to pay $50 to $100 per square foot for something mid-range like oak or thicker maple. On the higher end is $100 to $200-plus per square foot for premium woods like walnut or custom finishes.
Longevity: With proper care, butcher block countertops can last 20 to 30 years or more, but there’s a catch. “Due to its softer nature compared to stone, they’re more susceptible to scratches, dents, and stains. However, its advantage is that it can be sanded down and refinished, extending its lifespan significantly,” says Switzer.
Upkeep: On a daily basis, butcher block should only be cleaned with mild soap and water — no harsh chemicals or soaking. “Every 1 to 2 months it needs to be sealed, especially if it’s raw wood or being used as a working kitchen surface,” Switzer advises. “Some homeowners like to use mineral oil or beeswax to protect the wood from water and stains.” As mentioned above, if damage does occur, it can always be sanded down and refinished.
Granite Countertops
What it is: Cassandra Thurston, founder of her namesake design firm on Long Beach Island, New Jersey, describes granite as nature’s art: “It has these amazing patterns, full of swirls, veins, and flecks that make it feel so unique and personal.” It comes in a wide range of colors as well, from soft neutrals to bold, dramatic shades like deep greens and blacks. Granite is typically polished, which makes it smooth and cool to the touch, but you can also go for a honed or leathered finish for an extra layer of character. The former is more matte, while the latter is more textured.
Price: “It varies, but on average you’re looking at anywhere between $40 and $200 per square foot, including installation,” Thurston says. “The basic slabs tend to be more affordable, but if you’re after something rare or exotic, the cost can climb higher.”
Longevity: According to Thurston, granite is “one of those materials that can pretty much last forever with proper care.” It stands up well to scratches, heat, and all the daily wear and tear, especially in kitchens and bathrooms. In fact, she adds, “It’s likely that your granite countertop will still be going strong long after you’ve decided to renovate again.”
Upkeep: Day-to-day, all you have to do is wipe it down with mild dish soap and water. You’ll want to avoid any harsh cleaners, as they can damage the sealant. Speaking of sealant: “Because granite is porous, it’s a good idea to reseal it about once a year,” Thurston recommends. “That’ll help protect it from stains caused by things like wine or oil spills.”
Which is your favorite of these four popular kitchen countertop materials? Let us know in the comments below!
Further Reading
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