Jason Donnelly

With photograph to urine , heat , sharp tongue , and spill , countertops sway a wakeless burden in the kitchen . Discover the pros and confidence trick of the top countertop materials to aid you make the right choice for your kitchen .

Natural Stone Countertops: Marble, Granite, Limestone, Soapstone

David Greer

Natural gem is a durable material that stand up to the knotty wear of an active kitchen . The most popular innate gem countertop materials are granite and marble , but limestone , soap-rock , and slating are also commonly used . Stone ’s natural variation in colouring material , pattern , and texture make each countertop unequalled ; no two slabs are on the button alike . Before purchase natural stone countertop , take a large sample distribution home to make certain you ’ve find the unadulterated piece .

Average Price of Real Stone Countertops:$50-$150 per square human foot

A modern kitchen with white cabinets, a wood countertop, and a central island with cooking utensils

Credit:Jason Donnelly

Natural Stone Countertops: Pros and Cons of Marble, Granite, Soapstone, and More

Rett Peek Jr

Pros of Natural Stone :

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A modern kitchen with black subway tile backsplash, white cabinetry, a large island with stools, and open shelving

Credit:David Greer

Engineered Stone Countertops: Quartz

Engineered stone ( sometimes called cultured stone ) is a composite stuff made up primarily of resins plus natural stone . Engineered I. F. Stone is often just called quartz glass , or quartz surfacing , due to the high percentage of quartz within the engineered stone . These surfaces are more durable than natural I. F. Stone and come in a variety of colors , texture , and graining . to boot , unlike born stone , quartz countertops are usable in unvarying color and patterns .

modal Price of Quartz Countertops:$50-$100 per square foot

Engineered Stone Countertops: Pros and Cons of Quartz

Edmund Barr

professional of Quartz Countertops :

Cons of Quartz :

A modern kitchen with granite countertops and a matching backsplash, stainless steel appliances and wooden flooring, bright lighting

Credit:Rett Peek Jr

Solid-Surfacing Countertops

Solid - surfacing is a low - maintenance , budget - well-disposed alternative to born or engineered stone . satisfying - come out countertop mimic the feeling of natural Harlan F. Stone without the price or involve criminal maintenance . Consisting of a compounding of cook up material , upstanding - come out can be easily customized to befit your motivation and comes in a kind of colour possibleness and design options . It can also resemble trash or concrete countertop . Corian is a wide used brand of unanimous surfacing , and sometimes the material is cite to by this name .

median Price of Solid - Surfacing Countertops:$40-$150 per square foot

Solid-Surfacing Countertops: Pros and Cons

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Laminate Kitchen Countertops

Jay Wilde

Laminate is construct with a thin sheet of pliant rosin overcompensate plyboard or particleboard . Becauselaminate get its look from gamy - quality printed paper , it is inexpensive and widely useable . Advancements in publish engineering and bound options let laminate countertop to mimic rock , alloy , or woodwind without the cost of natural stuff .

Average Price of Laminate Countertops:$15-$65 per substantial foot

modern white kitchen with black accents

Credit: Brie Williams

Laminate Counters: Pros and Cons

Philip Harvey

Pros of Laminate Countertops :

Cons of Laminate :

modern kitchen with blue vertical tile

Credit:Edmund Barr

Wood Kitchen Countertops

Stacy Goldberg

Wood countertops add instant warmth and appeal to your kitchen . Butcherblock is the most common typeof wood countertop , but crafted woods slabs from change likemaple , teak , cherry , and walnutare also available . Wood is a swell homework countertop material .

median Price of Wood Countertops:$20 to $ 70 per square foot

kitchen sink subway tile backsplash

Credit: Emily Followill

Pros and Cons of Wood Countertops

Pros of Wood Counters :

flimflam of Grant Wood :

Concrete Kitchen Countertops

Jeff Herr

Concrete countertops are less mutual — but no less stylish — than born endocarp countertops and complement a broad chain of vogue . Concrete is an passing durable andsurprisingly various material that can be tintedand sculpted for maximum design possibilities . Concrete countertopscomplement other natural materials such as wood and stone .

Average Price of Concrete Countertops:$65 to $ 135 per satisfying metrical unit

A neatly designed U-shaped kitchen with wooden flooring, central island, and modern cabinetry, featuring a dining table and chairs

Credit:Edmund Barr

Pros and Cons of Concrete Countertops

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Stainless-Steel Kitchen Countertops

Michael Partenio

Borrowed from restaurant kitchen , stainless - blade countertop are an idealistic James Cook ’s fellow traveller . They partner off easily with any dress flair , from mod to traditional , because they complement many kitchen appliances . Other metal countertop materials include fuzz , pewter , and Zn , but those are more trend - specific .

Average Price of Stainless - Steel Countertops:$80-$150 per square groundwork

Kitchen countertop with fruit bowls, wooden cabinets, and white hexagonal tile backsplash

Credit:Jay Wilde

Pros and Cons of Stainless-Steel Counters

John Granen

Pros of Stainless - Steel Countertops :

confidence trick of Metal Counters :

A kitchen sink under a window with a tiled backsplash, white cabinets, and a towel hanging on the handle

Credit:Philip Harvey

Eco-Friendly Kitchen Countertops

Bamboo , recycled glass , and paper composite plant ( a compounding of rosin , pigment , and recycle composition ) are alleco - friendly countertop materials . Recycled - trash countertop offer a alone looking well - suited to present-day kitchens . Some eco - friendly countertop materials might be harder to determine in certain areas of the body politic .

Average Price of Eco - well-disposed Countertop Materials:$25 to $ 100 per solid foot ; drug-addicted on material

Pros and Cons of Eco-Friendly Countertops

Michael Skott

Pros of Bamboo , Recycled Glass , and Paper Composite countertop :

hustle of Eco - Friendly Counter Materials :

A modern kitchen with navy cabinets, white subway tile backsplash, wooden shelves, and a wooden island with leather bar stools

Credit:Stacy Goldberg

Tile Kitchen Countertops

Kimberly Gavin

Tile provides a budget - well-disposed way to customize countertop . Ceramic roofing tile are durable and come in a variety of colors , SHAPE , grain , and size so that any style or appear can be attain . While roofing tile itself is durable , grout lines are highly susceptible to stains and mold , so require even cleanup .

fair Price of Tile Countertops:$15 to $ 20 per square fundament

Modern kitchen with light cabinetry, a small rug, a potted plant, and various utensils on the counters

Credit:Jeff Herr

Pros and Cons of Tile Countertops

Alise O’Brien

Pros of Tile Counters :

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Concrete Kitchen Countertops kitchen sink

Credit: Brie Williams

Modern kitchen with stainless steel countertop, wooden cabinets, and island seating

Credit:Michael Partenio

A modern kitchen counter with a metal surface, featuring oil bottles, a pepper grinder, and a stovetop with cookware

Credit:John Granen

Modern kitchen with wooden countertops, white cabinets, a sink with a black faucet, and open shelving

Credit:Edmund Barr

A spice drawer is open beneath a kitchen counter with tomatoes displayed on the counter

Credit:Michael Skott

A kitchen interior featuring white cabinets, a sink, and a black-and-white tiled countertop with lemons on display

Credit:Kimberly Gavin

Kitchen corner with stovetop, spice rack, utensils, and oil jars

Credit:Alise O’Brien