How to choose a countertop: Pros, Cons and Popularity Contest.
Choosing a countertop is a tough decision- and it is important to get it right, not just for aesthetics, but also for resale value and durability. There are a lot of factors to keep in mind: durability, color selection, maintenance, price, and affect on resale value. We will dive into a variety of countertop materials and provide the pros and cons of each so you can make the right decision for you.
Quartz
Quartz is definitely to go to countertop right now because of it’s durability, color variety, and the great boost it has to resale value- people love to walk into a home without having to worry about spending money on big ticket items like countertops and kitchen remodels.
Durability: ★★★★☆
Quartz is very durable- if you take a hammer to it you will chip a corner, but as long as you aren’t doing anything crazy it will last for years to come. Quartz is far more durable than other stone counters such as marble or granite because it is quartz stone mixed with a resin binder.
Color Selection: ★★★★★
Since quartz countertops have color added in you can get them in a wide variety of colors to fit any decor.
Maintenance:★★★★☆
Quartz countertops do need to be sealed for protection. Most sealants will have to be re-applied every 5 years or so, but you can get a permaseal which will last the lifetime of the countertop. Cleaning with a non abrasive cleaner will keep them nice and spotless.
Resale Value:★★★★★
Quartz countertops are very popular right now and long lasting- so they will help you get top dollar for your home.
Price: $$$$
Quartz is more expensive than Granite, but far less expensive than butcher block. But that price can be added to the resale of your home so long as you maintain them.
Granite
Durability:★★★☆☆
Granite is tougher than arylic and fermica, but not as durable as quartz or cement. It is subject to scratches and dings.
Color Selection: ★★★★☆
Color selection with granite is pretty good- you can find light, dark and a variety of colors in between.
Maintenance: ★★★★☆
Granite, like quartz will have to be sealed every 5 years or so- or permasealed for lifetime protection. Cleaning the countertop is easy with a gentle cleaner.
Resale Value: ★★★☆☆
Brand new or well treated granite will help with the resale of your home, just not to the extent of quartz due to the recent gain in popularity in quartz’s favor.
Price: $$$
Granite is actually middle of the road with price-- there are far more expensive, and cheaper options available.
Marble:
Marble is truly elegant, and looks beautiful in both modern and more country inspired decor.
Durability: ★★★☆☆
Marble is a stone, but it is prone to chipping and scratches.
Color Selection: ★★☆☆☆
Quartz comes in pretty set colors and you don’t get as much variety as with a quartz or granite.
Maintenance: ★★★☆☆
Needs to be sealed or permasealed, and will need to be cleaned with a gentle cleaner.
Resale Value: ★★★★★
People love marble and it really does provide an elegance to a home so resale value is all the way up there with quartz.
Price: $$$$
Formica
Durability: ★★☆☆☆
Formica is not super durable and is prone to burning, and chipping
Color Selection: ★★★★☆
Pretty good selection of colors, BUT if you are looking for one that looks like real stone you will be limited.
Maintenance: ★★★★☆
Easy maintenance and care- clean it with windex, or whatever household cleaner you prefer.
Resale Value: ★☆☆☆☆
Putting in brand new formica countertops will help you resale better than old ratty ones, but it does not really help improve the value of your home.
Price: $
While these countertops are not especially durable, they are inexpensive to put in which has kept them in the game.
Acrylic
Acrylic has been around for a long time and is commonly used in apartments or rental homes because of it’s low cost.
Durability: ★★☆☆☆
Acrylic is not super durable and is prone to burning, and chipping
Color Selection: ★★★★☆
Pretty good selection of colors, BUT if you are looking for one that looks like real stone you will be limited.
Maintenance: ★★★★☆
Easy maintenance and care- clean it with windex, or whatever household cleaner you prefer.
Resale Value: ★☆☆☆☆
Putting in brand new acrylic countertops will help you resale better than old ratty ones, but it does not really help improve the value of your home.
Price: $
Wood/Butcher Block
Behold the glory of wood. Butcherblock countertops are particularly popular in farmhouse or country style decor, but they do pack some significant challenges and you have to be ready to spend some serious time on maintenance.
Durability: ★★★☆☆
These counters will get dinged, scratched, and receive watermarks. The good thing is they can be refinished to remove all imperfections.
Color Selection: ★★☆☆☆
It is wood- so you are limited to the colors of wood used.
Maintenance: ★☆☆☆☆
Between regular oil sessions, enforcing coaster usage, and refinished once a year the maintenance for butcher block is quite a bit more than all other countertops.
Resale Value: ★★★★☆
These are expensive and beautiful counters and as long as they are maintained can help boost the sale of your home.
Price: $$$$$
Very expensive.
Cement
Cement is gorgeous and since it is hand poured and created it can give you a lot better variety than a stone countertop. Cement is particularly great for an industrial look.
Durability: ★★★★★
As you probably guessed cement counters are pretty darn durable. Don’t hit it with a hammer, but they will be able to withstand your usual kitchen or bathroom usage.
Color Selection:★★★★☆
Dye is used to achieve any color you would like-- the catch is it is impossible to know exactly how the color will turn out. Nice thing about this is it does ensure unique coloring.
Maintenance: ★★★★☆
Pretty low maintenance. You will have to have cement countertops sealed every 5 years. Clean with a gentle cleaner.
Resale Value: ★★★★★
Beautiful, durable, and very popular these babies will help with your resale.
Price: $$$$
Pretty expensive. More expensive than granite and quartz, less expensive than butcher block.
