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Countertop Guide: Choosing The Right Countertop Surface

February 23, 2018 by Sarah Dooley, Associate ASID Leave a Comment

Countertop Guide: Choosing The Right Countertop Surface

Designing a kitchen from scratch or getting ready to renovate? Here’s where to start! Selecting which countertop surface is right for you will be important, based on function, budget, and design. Since there are so many materials to choose from, we are here to help narrow down your options during this exciting yet sometimes overwhelming process! Listed below are 10 countertop surfaces, including their pros and cons, to make it easier for you to select your favorite material based on your lifestyle needs and personal design style. 

Butcher Block Countertop Guide Marble Leedy Interiors Interior Design Tinton Falls NJ

Becki Owens

1. Butcher Block 

PROS                                                                                                 CONS              
-Great for chopping and prepping food                                     -Susceptible to scratches and dents because of it’s soft surface
-Sanitary when protected with food-safe sealer                         
-Offers a variety of wood types

$40-65 per sq. ft.

 

Concrete Countertop Guide Marble Leedy Interiors Interior Design Tinton Falls NJ

Joanna Gaines

2. Concrete

PROS                                                                                               CONS              
-Unique, rugged look                                                                   -Can crack
-Customize color and texture and size                                    -Can oxidize and tarnish over time if not sealed
-Stain/scratch/heat resistant when sealed                               
-Seamless when using seam filler

$65-135 per sq. ft.

 

Countertop Guide Copper Leedy Interiors Interior Design Tinton Falls NJ

Two Thirty-Five Designs

3. Copper

PROS                                                                                            CONS              
-Antimicrobial, easier to keep clean                                       -Can oxidize and tarnish over time if not sealed      
-A statement piece                                                                    -Susceptible to dents and scratches because it is a soft metal
-Non porous 
-Stain resistant

$100-175 per sq. ft.

 

Countertop Guide Granite Leedy Interiors Interior Design Tinton Falls NJ

Leedy Interiors

4. Granite

PROS                                                                                            CONS              
-Natural, renewable resource                                                  -Can be stained when not sealed correctly/regularly
-Scratch resistant                                                                      -Visible seams/grout lines
-Heat resistant
-Variety of color options

$40-100 per sq. ft.

 

limestone Countertop Guide Leedy Interiors Interior Design Tinton Falls NJ

Studio Dearborn

5. Limestone

PROS                                                                                            CONS              
-Beautiful, natural stone                                                           -High maintenance 
-A popular, iconic material                                                       -Keep away from high heat 
                                                                                                     -Easily scratched                                            

$55-200 per sq. ft. 

 

Marble Countertop Guide Leedy Interiors Interior Design Tinton Falls NJ

Addison’s Wonderland

6. Marble

PROS                                                                                            CONS              
-Classic and timeless beauty                                                   -Easily scratched because it is more porous  
-White, brighter color options                                                   -Susceptible to stains     

$75-250 per sq. ft. 

 

Countertop Guide Marble Leedy Interiors Interior Design Tinton Falls NJ

Leedy Interiors

7. Quartz 

PROS                                                                                            CONS              
-Man-made stone                                                                       -Susceptible to scratches
-Stain resistant                                                                            -Not quartzite
-Non porous                                                     

$55-155 per sq. ft. 

 

Quartzite Countertop Guide Leedy Interiors Interior Design Tinton Falls NJ

Studio McGee

8. Quartzite

PROS                                                                                            CONS              
-Natural stone                                                                             -Needs to be sealed every year 
-Heat resistant                                                                            -More expensive than quartz
-Scratch resistant 
-Offers a variety of colors and tones    

$70-200 per sq. ft.

 

Soapstone Countertop Guide Leedy Interiors Interior Design Tinton Falls NJ

Blair Harris & Randy O’Kane

9. Soapstone

PROS                                                                                            CONS              
-A smooth, matte, casual look                                                 -Only comes in a variety of gray tones
-Low maintenance                                                                     -Susceptible to scratches and dents
-Non porous

$60-185 per sq. ft. 

 

Solid Surface Countertop Guide Leedy Interiors Interior Design Tinton Falls NJ

Martha Stewart Living

10. Solid Surface (Corian) 

PROS                                                                                            CONS              
-Low maintenance                                                                     -Can be easily damaged by heat
-Affordable                                                                                  -Susceptible to stains and scratches
-Invisible seams/grout lines
-Variety of colors 

$60-185 per sq. ft. 

And there you have it! I hope this countertop guide helped sway your decision on which material to select for your new and improved kitchen. Whether you have children and need a durable surface, or can’t break the bank because of your tight budget, or just want to stick with the trend based on your design style, there are so many options out there catering to each and every need! 

For more inspiration check out our Stone Materials Pinterest Board!

More to read:
Paint Color Guide: LI’s Top 15 Favorite Paint Colors
10 Places To Use Shiplap In Your Home
Bedroom Style: 5 Ways To Design Your Space

About Sarah Dooley, Associate ASID

Principal Designer at Leedy Interiors

Honesty, integrity, and down-to-earth approach… Learn more about Sarah by visiting her profile.

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