Kitchen countertops are horizontal surfaces installed in the kitchen to ease meal preparation, dishwashing, and lots more.
It is often installed upon and supported by kitchen cabinets. It is usually the busiest part of the kitchen.
As such, one must consider durability when choosing a suitable one. Good countertops should stand firm against heat, flames, stains, cuts, abrasions, and every other day’s impact.
If you are planning to buy a kitchen countertop anytime soon and you are not sure of which type to go for, listed below are some of the most durable types of kitchen countertops you can buy.
Granite
Granite is a purely natural stone that comes directly from stone quarries.
Although natural granite remains one of today’s most popular countertop choices, engineered granite has also grown popular.
Just like natural granite, engineered granite is also scratch and heat-resistant. Generally, granite countertops are available in a variety of patterns and colors.
Kitchen renovation companies like kitchen & stone can help you choose the best pattern and color for your kitchen.
To make this type of kitchen countertops, granites are cut into thick long slabs that may or may not require seams.
Once the cutting and polishing are done, the granite is then treated with an impregnating sealer in order for the countertop to be stain resistant.
This effect of this treatment usually lasts for about 5 to 10 years. It is advisable to make use of a stone cleaner rather than an abrasive cleaner when dealing with granite countertops.
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Quartz
Quartz countertops are made from particles of stone bound together with plastic resins mixed with color, thereby resulting in a nonporous product that is strong and easy to maintain.
This blend of plastic resins and natural stone is more resistant to the usual household cleaning supplies and chemicals than natural stone options.
Some experts recommend installing quartz countertops with rounded edges. Quartz is almost indestructible under normal kitchen preparation conditions, it won’t chip or crack easily.
Unlike many natural stones, quartz countertops don’t need to be resealed every year.
Recycled glass
When searching for a kitchen countertop that is not only trendy but also durable you may want to consider ones made from recycled glass.
They are crafted from recycled beer bottles, windshields, and traffic lights, thus giving you a long-lasting and sustainably beautiful countertop.
People tend to assume that this class of countertops are fragile simply because of its glass origin.
Unknown to most people, these countertops are heat and stain-resistant.
Since a diverse blend of glass is used in making a recycled glass countertop and the glass is always configured differently, no two recycled countertops are the same.
Concrete
Concrete countertops are made from a mix of sand, pigments, and general-purpose mortar. Concrete countertops come in different colors.
These colors are achieved by adding pigments to the concrete during mixing.
The concrete is porous and may get stained, so it needs to be sealed upon installation. Larger concrete kitchen countertops may have visible seams, but they can be reduced with filler.
Cracking is always a cause of concern when dealing with concrete countertops, thereby installers oftentimes use wire mesh, fiberglass, metal rebar, or stainless steel fiber to strengthen the counter during installation.
Solid surface
These are man-made material consisting of a blend of acrylic particles and resins. Damages in solid surface countertops can be easily sanded out.
These countertops are popular for their seamless appearance. They are available in a variety of colors and patterns.
They are non-porous in nature, thereby making them mold -and- mildew resistant. These countertops are also quite easy to maintain.
Marble
Marble is a timeless and classic material that adds a note of luxury to a kitchen. No two slabs of marble are alike; it’s veining which is formed by mineral deposits makes it unique.
When cleaning marbles, you should not use any products that contain lemon juice, ammonia, vinegar, or any other form of acidic compounds.
Also, you shouldn’t use abrasive pads or powdered cleansers to clean the stone. Marble countertops can look crafty or contemporary, making them a beautiful and versatile countertop material.
Every kitchen countertop material is unique in its own way, so if you have been searching for the most durable kitchen countertop and nothing has grabbed your fancy yet, these available options should help make a quicker and easier choice.
