Appearance: What are the aesthetic qualities of the countertop material?Value: How does the countertop rank in terms of the cost of materials plus installation? What are you getting for the money?Stain resistance and clean-up: How well does the material resist food and drink stains?Heat resistance: Will hot pots discolor or burn the countertop surface?Resale value: Does the countertop add real estate value to your home in the eyes of prospective buyers?
Countertop Materials Ranked
Reclaimed Wood: Most Eco-Friendly Choice
Reclaimed wood countertops are slabs made from hardwoods recycled from other uses, such as commercial bowling alleys, barns, or residential flooring. For homeowners concerned about the environment, reclaimed wood offers obvious appeal.
Appearance
Reclaimed wood can take many appearances, depending on the source of the wood and its species. These are usually quite attractive countertops made of good-quality hardwoods. These countertops can get nicked, scratched, and scuffed quickly, but for some homeowners, this antique appeal is a plus.
Value
Though ostensibly a wood that no one wants, reclaimed wood isn’t cheap. The companies that find it, re-mill it, and sell it do need to make a profit for their specialized work. Installation is normally done by specialists from the fabrication company; this is not a DIY-friendly material. Typical costs are $115 to $300 per square foot, installed.
Stain Resistance
You need to keep wood counters sealed. This is not difficult to do, but it must be done with religious frequency. Forget to do it, and you may find that red beets stain your counters a rich purple color.
Heat Resistance
Reclaimed wood has excellent heat resistance. Hot pots and skillets rarely discolor or scorch reclaimed wood.
Resale Value
While some home buyers may very much like the classic look and green appeal of using reclaimed wood, most home buyers see reclaimed wood as a second-class countertop material. These countertops will do nothing to improve the real estate value of your home.
Bottom Line
Reclaimed wood falls toward the lower end of the countertop ratings due to its high cost, low resale value, and high maintenance. Choose reclaimed wood if you put a high priority on green building materials, not to improve real estate value.
Concrete: Contemporary Styling
If you’ve got a stylish, modern house, you can do no better than to install a concrete countertop in the kitchen. While these monolithic beauties would look odd in a period house, they fit perfectly well into any contemporary kitchen. Yet, surprisingly enough, concrete can be finicky when used for countertops.
Appearance
Concrete can become whatever you want it to be. With tinting, it can take on a number of muted, earthen colors, as well as some darker reds, blues, and greens. But its chief value—and the one thing that distinguishes concrete from other counter materials—is that you can have a single, unified, seamless counter. In a single pour, concrete can form L shapes, U shapes, and all sorts of permutations.
Value
Considering that concrete itself is pretty inexpensive, homeowners are often surprised to learn how expensive concrete countertops are. That’s because concrete countertops are difficult to fabricate and require special concrete mixes. They must be installed by skilled pros—usually from the same team who fabricates the countertop. Typical costs range from $70 to $140 per square foot, installed.
Stain Resistance
Concrete can stain quite easily unless it is regularly sealed. Acidic foods and liquids, as well as cleaning chemicals, need to be wiped off immediately or they will stain the surface.
Heat Resistance
While concrete seems like it might have the ultimate heat resistance properties of all countertops, this just isn’t the case. Concrete will not melt but it will scorch. With concrete, you’ll still need to use trivets or pads before setting down hot pans. Concrete surfaces can show scorch marks fairly easily.
Resale Value
Hopefully, the entire contemporary style of your house is congruent with those concrete counters, and the buyers’ minds are congruent with your house’s contemporary style. If so, there is a possibility they may love the counters. If not, they may hate them.
Bottom Line
Concrete countertops can be a good choice in very particular situations but may be too unusual for many homeowners. Concrete countertops are difficult to cast, heavy, expensive, and difficult to maintain. Concrete is a unique material, too. One homeowner’s infatuation with concrete countertops may not translate to the next buyer, either.
Zinc
Zinc is the most common metal on earth but is fairly uncommon as a countertop material. For the right homeowner, it has a hip trendy appeal, reminiscent of the zinc countertops found in Paris bistros. For other homeowners, it may seem a bit too unique.
Appearance
Zinc has a dark gray matte finish that is much different than the bright silver shininess of stainless steel. Homeowners seeking something unique may very much like this look; others may actively dislike it. Zinc is a relatively soft metal, and it may scratch. Some homeowners like the aged patina that zinc develops over time.
Value
Being a specialty countertop, zinc is expensive. You buy zinc because you like it, not because you want to save money. Zinc costs $150 to $200 per square foot, installed.
Stain Resistance
Zinc will eventually develop a dark patina, and should vinegar come in contact with it, dark spots will develop.
Heat Resistance
As a metal, zinc is unsurpassed at resisting scorch marks and discoloration from hot pans and skillets.
Resale Value
A few potential buyers will be charmed by zinc countertops, but those unaware of its history may find it less appealing.
Bottom Line
Zinc earns an overall mid-range rating. Still, in kitchens with a certain period decor, zinc can be a conversation starter.
Ceramic or Porcelain Tile: the Best DIY Choice
While excellent for backsplashes, ceramic or porcelain tiles have a major drawback for countertops: The grout lines between tiles are very hard to keep clean. The major selling point for tile countertops is that they are relatively easy for DIYers to install themselves.
Appearance
Tile surfaces themselves can be very attractive, but the presence of the many seams in a tile countertop is a big turn-off to anyone who cooks. Not only is the uneven texture of a tile surface problematic, but the grout lines can make cleanup a nightmare.
Value
Prices can vary quite a lot, but standard white tile countertops can be built for just pennies per square foot. And because tile countertops are a very easy DIY project, this material earns a top rating for cost. The typical costs for tile countertops range from $18 to $35 per square foot, installed.
Stain Resistance
With tile, there is a sharp division between the stain resistance of the tile and the stain resistance of the grout. The ceramic tile itself holds up remarkably well to stains, but not so much with grout. Once grout is stained, it can be difficult to clean. Regular sealing of the grout lines is mandatory. Sealed grout is easier to clean than porous grout.
Heat Resistance
Since it is fired at high temperatures, ceramic or porcelain tile resists heat very well. Tile is virtually impervious to scorching or burning.
Resale Value
Prospective home buyers are often put off by kitchens with tile countertops, though they may love tile backsplashes, walls, and floors. Tile countertops offer poor resale value.
Bottom Line
Tile countertops earn a lower-tier overall rating due to the many grout seams and difficult maintenance. While tile is easy to install by yourself, the long-term performance of tile isn’t worth it for many homeowners.
Laminate: Economical and Low-Maintenance
Laminate countertops are the perennial standby when it comes to kitchen and bathroom countertop choices. But can we rank them in the best countertops group? The answer is yes.
Appearance
Once regarded as fake-looking, modern laminates made by manufacturers such Wilsonart and Formica are now pushing the boundaries with high-pressure laminates that are steadily improving in appearance. Laminate is no longer regarded as the poor cousin among countertop materials.
Value
With better looks come higher prices, but it is still possible to buy rock-bottom cheap laminate countertops. This is one of the most economical of all countertop materials, especially considering its now-impressive appearance. Laminate countertops range in price from $15 to $40 per square foot, installed.
Stain Resistance
Laminate countertops are easy to clean with a swipe of a wet cloth or sponge, but when stains get embedded, they are very hard to remove.
Heat Resistance
Considering that laminates are essentially plastic, you might think they would melt under extreme heat. This doesn’t happen, although very hot pans can scorch and discolor the surface.
Resale Value
Although the perception is beginning to change, laminate countertops still have trouble gaining acceptance with realtors and prospective home buyers. Laminates are often regarded as bargain-basement countertops, except within carefully decorated mid-century modern kitchens.
Bottom Line
Laminate countertops earn a mid-range rating in the field of countertop materials. However, they offer great value, and the negative perception of laminates is gradually fading.
Refinished Countertop: Best Value
For just a few hundred dollars, it’s possible to turn a laminate or tile countertop into something apparently new. The base material stays the same but a special, thick coating goes on top to radically change the countertop’s appearance.
Appearance
Judging appearance is all relative and subjective. Refinished countertops can look spectacular compared to an old countertop. Yet no matter how much the refinishing kit claims your resurfaced counter will look like real marble, it just won’t.
Value
Refinished countertops blow all other countertops’ pricing out of the water. Nothing is cheaper. Even purchasing the cheapest laminate counter off the racks at Lowe’s or Home Depot is more expensive. For as low as $200 to $250, you can purchase a do-it-yourself counter refinishing kit.
Stain Resistance
Refinished counters resist stains well—as well as a standard laminate countertop.
Heat Resistance
This is the Achilles’ heel of refinished countertops: They scratch easily and are not very durable.
Resale Value
Appearance-wise, a counter that is refinished closely resembles a normal laminate countertop. And like laminates, a refinished countertop normally doesn’t improve the value of the home.
Bottom Line
A refinished countertop ranks reasonably well, only due to its rock-bottom cost. Homeowners can refinish their own countertop to carry it along for another year or two while saving money for a new countertop. Rarely, if ever, is a refinished countertop a long-term choice.
Solid Surface: Appearance and Affordability
Solid surface countertops are made from synthetic acrylic, epoxy, and polyester materials bonded together in formulations aimed at mimicking the look of natural stone. When solid-surface material was introduced in the late 1960s by Dupont, it was regarded as a high-end countertop material. Its role as a premium material has largely been taken over by quartz and solid granite, but solid surface is still a very good material that offers a unique blend of performance, appearance, and economy.
Appearance
Solid-surface countertops can be manufactured to look like practically anything. While they cannot match the appearance of real or even engineered stone, solid-surface countertops still look better than laminate. They can be fabricated to be entirely seamless and can even incorporate seamless sink basins within the countertop.
Value
Though considerably more expensive than tile or laminate, the excellent performance and appearance of solid-surface material make it one of the best values. Costs for solid-surface countertops range from $35 to $85 per square foot, installed.
Stain Resistance
Yes, solid-surface counters do stain, and those stains can be pervasive. However, the nature of solid-surface material makes it possible to sand out stains rather easily.
Heat Resistance
Solid-surface material can be scorched fairly easily. Countertop manufacturers have been developing solid-surface materials that hold up better against heat, but the product still has a long way to go. Burn marks can be removed fairly easily with sanding.
Resale Value
Solid-surface materials offer moderately good resale value. While no longer considered a luxury material, solid-surface countertops are considered much more favorably than laminates or tile.
Bottom Line
Solid-surface countertops are in the upper tier of countertop materials since they are an economical choice, come in hundreds of styles and colors, are easy to maintain, and can be refinished by most homeowners.
Stainless Steel: Cook’s Favorite
Second only to concrete as the most trendy countertop material, stainless steel’s popularity has waxed and waned over the years. Originally a material found only in commercial kitchens, stainless steel has recently become common in high-end residential kitchens. But there is no denying that in terms of pure coolness, this material comes out ahead of most others.
Appearance
Stainless steel is highly attractive. It is luminous without being glaringly bright and has a lovely patina. The only downside is that it has only one face: Stainless steel always looks the same way. Unlike other materials, it cannot be tinted, aged, painted, or resurfaced. You can buy hundreds of different kinds of countertop marbles and granites, but you can buy only one stainless steel.
Value
Stainless steel is very pricey. This is due partially to the expense of the materials, but also because of the limited number of competent fabricators. The scarcity of qualified labor drives prices higher. Costs of stainless steel countertops range from $80 to $250 per square foot, installed.
Stain Resistance
Though it is called stainless, stainless steel can be stained with food materials, although it will not rust. Stains can usually be removed, however.
Heat Resistance
As a metal, stainless steel is almost impervious to burns and scorch marks in a normal kitchen setting.
Resale Value
Discerning buyers will value stainless steel, so your investment will indeed pay off. When they make an offer, non-discerning buyers may look down on this material, mentally subtracting the cost of pulling out the steel counters and replacing with other materials.
Bottom Line
Stainless steel countertops earn a fairly high rating in the pool of countertop materials. Stainless steel can be a great countertop in the right kitchen decor but may turn off prospective buyers who don’t have a trend-conscious attitude.
Slab Granite: Long-Term Appeal
For some time now, solid granite slabs have been regarded as the premium countertop material. While you might think the trend will eventually end, the virtues of granite continue to make it a perennial top performer.
Appearance
Granite counters have a deep, rich, complex appearance that cannot be duplicated in any type of man-made material. Because each granite slab is unique, this means that no two countertops have exactly the same appearance. While other types of natural stone, including soapstone, slate, and marble, are also used in countertops, granite is by far the preferred stone for appearance.
Value
Granite is always—always—a pricey countertop material. On average, this is the most expensive of countertop materials on our list. Prices can range from $45 to $300 per square foot, installed.
Stain Resistance
Since granite is a porous stone, it does absorb stains. But annual sealing will help avoid this problem.
Heat Resistance
Granite, forged in the heat of the earth, will hold up well against your hot pans. Granite is virtually impossible to burn by normal means.
Resale Value
Even though the fervor for granite may be slightly past its peak, granite still lends considerable resale value to a home. Realtors and prospective buyers almost always perk up when they see granite countertops.
Bottom Line
Granite earns a top-tier rating due to its great appearance and durability. Slab granite is a long-term countertop choice, its high cost amortized by the many years of service it can provide.
Quartz: Best Overall Choice
Quartz countertops—a form of engineered stone—may well be the best of all countertop materials when all factors are considered. Quartz countertops are made from natural stone byproducts (leftover rubble from quarrying) which are pulverized and blended with resins to form slabs. It can be considered a green building material since it is made from leftover stone and doesn’t require quarrying. Engineered quartz has nearly all the virtues of granite and other natural stone while costing less.
Appearance
Quartz countertops look fantastic. Because they partially use natural materials (as opposed to solid surface, which is all man-made), quartz counters have unparalleled depth and richness. Dozens of different looks are available, ranging from granite and marble look-alikes to very unique, modern colors and patterns. And unlike granite and other natural stone, quartz never has flaws or cracks.
Value
Quartz countertops are expensive, but when factoring in the advantages, quartz countertops are relatively good value. Typical costs range from $55 to $155 per square foot, installed.
Stain Resistance
Quartz counters hold up well against stains and need no sealing. However, extremely caustic substances such as lye or other strong chemicals may damage your quartz counters.
Heat Resistance
Quartz countertops are among the best at resisting burns and scorching.
Resale Value
Homebuyers place a high premium on quartz countertops, sometimes regarding them as even more valuable than granite.
Bottom Line
Quartz countertops earn a top rating in countertop materials ratings due to their appearance, low maintenance, and high resale value.
