Kitchen countertops are the chefs’ workstation; the material chosen might very well affect how the chef performs, and eventually how happy the household is. This is not an overstatement.
But there are so many materials to choose from, how should one begin?
Deco-Man understands how mind-frazzling it can get, and here’s a simple breakdown of the various countertop materials.
Stainless steel
A popular choice among restaurants, the stainless steel countertop is durable and easy to care for. A choice of practicality indeed.
Pros
- Easy to clean, sturdy, heat-resistant and stain-resistant
- Resists bacterial growth
- A lot of shapes and styles to choose from
- Stylish silver sheen, might go well with some styles of interior design
Cons
- Scratches can be conspicuous
- Dents easily
- Not everyone has a liking for the coldness of steel
- The noise of metal hitting against hard matter cause disturbances
- Relatively high price
Laminate
An artificial material, laminate can imitate the natural pattern and colour of stone and wood.
American brand Formica® is a world-known manufacturer of laminate.
Wilsonart is a Chinese company manufacturing quality laminate.
Wilsonart laminate
Pros
- Light, easy installation
- Affordable price
- Multiple styles, patterns and colours; stain-resistant
- Heat-resistant surface
Cons
- Quality can vary dramatically between brands; while well-known brand laminate is wear-resistant, stain-resistant and fireproof, low quality laminate might be lacking in those qualities
- Since laminate is made with adhesives, VOC problems might be present
- Prolonged contact of heat on the adhesive might create gaps
Solid surface
Fused with acrylic polymers, solid surface countertops are seamless, and have a range of styles and colours. It can be polished to reveal a high lustre, and is easy to repair.
American brand DuPont’s Corian countertops are one of the famous quality options on the market.
Pros
- Inconspicuous seams result in a smooth, streamlined surface
- Can be moulded into different shapes and beautiful curvatures for various interior styles
- Wide range of colours and patterns
- High-quality solid surface countertops are heatproof, stainproof and has a high impact resistance
Cons
- Quality varies greatly between brands, in terms of scratch-resistance and durability. Purchase from renowned brands for quality assurance.
- Compared to quartz, solid surface is still less heatproof, stainproof and has a relatively low impact resistance
Quartz
Quartz countertops are made from ground-up particles of stone. Like solid surface countertops, a wide range of style and colour is available.
Pros
- Durable, wear-resistant and not prone to scratch
- Non-porous surface, hygienic and stainproof
- Wide range of colours and styles
- Results are aesthetically pleasing
Cons
- Expensive; quartz countertops by best brands can cost around 2000HKD per square feet
- Noticeable seams at the bridging points
White quartz countertop
Granite
A natural material bringing the beauty of nature to your home, granite requires considerable amount of upkeeping and has more functional shortcomings.
Pros
- A hardness comparable to quartz
- Might be more heatproof than quartz
- Undamaged when in contact with heated pots
- Inimitable natural patterns
Cons
- Granite’s porous surface might be stained after the top coating wears off
- Higher upkeeping cost, might up renovation expense
Want
Marble
Marble, like granite, is a natural material. Frequently used in bathrooms, marble is even more prone to staining than granite. We don’t recommend using marble for kitchen countertops.
Pros
- Like granite, marble has an inimitable natural pattern
- Lot of colours to choose from
- Heatproofing quality comparable to granite
Cons
- Marble is prone to staining and scratching
- Require a large amount of upkeeping effort
