What’s the Best Countertop Material for Your Kitchen? Considerations for Cooking, Cleaning, and Cost

A beautiful new aesthetic is often the most exciting part of a kitchen remodel. When browsing materials, your first impression of each option will likely be based on its appearance. But aesthetics and practicality must both be considered when selecting the best countertop material for your kitchen. When it comes to practicality, you’ll want to consider cost, maintenance, and performance.

At Cabinet Genies, we offer premium countertops and professional installation to bring your dream kitchen to life. Our selection of countertop materials is sure to have the right fit for your aesthetic, budgetary, and functional needs. Let’s explore three different considerations when choosing the best countertop material.

An Overview of the Best Countertop Material Options

Some might choose their countertops based primarily on look and design, while others might prioritize efficiency. No matter your aesthetic preference, you can likely find a material that you love that also meets your budget and functional requirements.

In this guide, we’ll set aside aesthetics for a moment and focus on practical considerations for kitchen countertops: what’s easiest to cook on? What’s durable and low-maintenance? And what suits your budget? Once you’ve narrowed down these elements, you’re free to choose the countertops that fit your home’s style.

Easiest to Keep Clean: Quartz and Porcelain

Kitchens get messy, there’s no way around that. Families with children or individuals who enjoy cooking will find easy clean-up especially important for their countertops. But regardless of your lifestyle and kitchen use, you’ll need to consider how much maintenance you’re willing to do.

For countertops that are easy to maintain and clean, we often recommend quartz or porcelain. Let’s look at the advantages of these two materials.

Quartz Countertops: As a non-porous material, this engineered stone is resistant to stains and bacteria. You’ll find this convenient for clean-up and maintaining a hygienic cooking surface. Quartz is also durable against scratches and wear. Perhaps best of all, quartz does not need regular sealing.

Porcelain Countertops: Like quartz, porcelain countertops are non-porous and stain-resistant. They also do not need sealing, making them equally low-maintenance. One advantage of porcelain is that it’s more heat-resistant than quartz and won’t fade in the sun.

Cooking Advantages: Wood and Marble

If you do a lot of cooking, you may want to consider countertop materials with specific advantages for the at-home chef or baker. Easy cleaning is one essential element of cooking-friendly countertops, but there are two materials that offer additional benefits.

Wood Countertops: You may also know it as butcher block, and rightfully so! Wood countertops have been a staple in kitchens for centuries as a chopping-friendly surface that simplifies meal prep. While wood used for chopping will eventually scratch, you can always sand and refinish to restore the countertops.

Marble Countertops: Marble offers a unique advantage for the home baker: its temperature. It’s a naturally cool material that will make working with pastry and dough easier even in warm climates. 

Cost-Friendly: Quartz and Wood

Of course, the best countertop material for you will have to fit into your budget. Luckily, you can still select high-quality, beautiful countertops that are cost-effective. The price of your countertops will depend on not only the material but also the style and size. In general, quartz and wood countertops balance budget with quality, though it will depend greatly on the type. Granite may also offer a reasonable choice for the cost-conscious homeowner, in many cases. 

Choosing the Best Countertop Material for Your Kitchen

There are many factors to consider in what will be the best countertop material for your kitchen. Ultimately, it’s up to you what features to prioritize–be it a gorgeous marble that fits your aesthetic vision, a practical butcher block for the aspiring chef, or the popular balance of functionality and beauty of quartz.

At Cabinet Genies, our process begins with a consultation to understand your preferences and requirements. We can help you determine the right countertops for your cooking, cleaning, and cost needs, while still fulfilling your aesthetic preferences.

Find Your Kitchen Countertop Inspiration Today

New countertops can bring new life to your kitchen. It’s an investment that improves value, performance, and comfort in one of the most important areas of your home. Contact us today or stop by to find the perfect kitchen countertops for you!