the countertop debate: what can be abused and still look great?

By Christina Mogk / October 24, 2014

When you’re investing in a countertop, you obviously want it to look a certain way. But you also want to be able to live; to use and enjoy the space without handling everything around or on your counter with kid gloves. So what is your best option?

The Lowdown on Common Countertop Options

the countertop debate: what can be abused and still look great? | should you consider a pressed paper countertop for your home? | @meccinteriors | design bites — PaperStone kitchen counter. | The colour of a pressed paper countertop is not a surface treatment—it runs through the entire depth of the product.

Consumer Reports recently published the following:

Quartz withstood almost everything in Consumer Reports’ recent tests of kitchen counters—stains, hot pots, abrasive pads, and knives—and unlike granite, it doesn’t need to be resealed. Its combination of beauty, durability, and easy maintenance makes it a great choice for busy kitchens.
Granite performed almost as well. But both materials are a bit pricey. Laminate is still the budget-friendly choice.

the countertop debate: what can be abused and still look great? | @meccinteriors | design bites — via York Companies

Those aren’t your only options. Consumer Reports stained, sliced, scratched, scorched, and nicked 14 materials from leading brands and found huge differences in performance. Almost everything stained bamboo counters. The grout between tiles also was easily stained.
Except for recycled glass, there was little difference in the materials’ performance among competing brands. So pick the material, then find the brand that offers the colour or pattern you prefer at the best price.

Quartz

the countertop debate: what can be abused and still look great? | @meccinteriors | design bites — Cambria Quartz countertop with a more natural edge finish.

Cost: $2,240 to $5,600.
Pros: It mimics the look of stone yet needs less maintenance. Hot pots, serrated knives, abrasive pads, and most stains were no match for quartz, which is a combination of mineral, colour, and resin. It comes in vibrant colours in addition to patterns that look like granite and marble.
Cons: Edges and corners can chip, and you’ll need a pro to repair them. Rounded edges help.

Granite

is an undercounter fridge what you didn't know you need | @meccinteriors | design bites — © U-Line.

Cost: $2,240 to $5,600.
Pros: Each slab of this natural material is unique; rare colours and veining cost more. Heat, cuts, and scratches didn’t harm granite in Consumer Reports’ tests. Polished and matte finishes resisted most stains when properly sealed, so pick the look you prefer.
Cons: Periodic resealing is needed to fend off stains. Like quartz, edges and corners can chip and must be professionally repaired.

Soapstone, Limestone, and Marble

the countertop debate: what can be abused and still look great? | the countertop debate: what can be abused and still look great? | @meccinteriors | design bites — Soapstone counter via builtabetterway.com

Cost: $2,800 to $5,600 (soapstone or limestone), $2,800 to $8,400 (marble)
Pros: Soapstone isn’t as common as granite, and it’s superb at resisting heat damage. Small scratches can be repaired by sanding finely and applying mineral oil. Limestone and marble are classic materials. Limestone also has a natural-stone look without heavy veining or graining, and it resists heat.
Cons: Soapstone nicks, cuts, and scratches easily, and some stains are too tough to be washed away. Limestone and marble also have those drawbacks, and heat damaged the marble.

Laminate

the countertop debate: what can be abused and still look great? | natural stone isn't your only look-good countertop option | @meccinteriors | design bites — The 180fx collection includes large-scale laminate stone-look designs―actual stone images transferred onto laminate. Shown is Silver Flower Granite, a swirling pattern of quartz crystals with earth-toned lines for clarity and depth. | © Formica.

Cost: $560 to $2,240.
Pros: Inexpensive, easy to install, and so much better-looking than you probably remember, thanks to new printing technology and decorative edges. Stains and heat didn’t damage the laminates Consumer Reports tested.
Cons: Cutting directly on it easily and permanently damages laminate, so use a cutting board.

Solid Surfacing

Corian model kitchen featuring a ceiling-mounted recessed hood.
Cost: $1,960 to $5,600.
Pros: Available in a variety of colours and patterns, it can be used for counters, sink, and backsplash, creating a seamless look. Like quartz, its colour won’t vary much from the store sample. Solid surfacing is resistant to most stains, and small nicks and scratches can be repaired.
Cons: It scratches and cuts easily, so a cutting board is a must.

Recycled Glass

Icestone recycled glass counter.
Cost: $3,360 to $6,720.
Pros: Large shards give it a fun, contemporary look; finely ground glass makes it less busy. Most glass counters tested resisted stains, cuts, scratches, and heat.
Cons: It’s the only material for which testers found a difference among brands. Cosentino’s Eco counters developed a thin crack during heat tests.

Butcher Block

the countertop debate: what can be abused and still look great? | @meccinteriors | design bites — via In your Back Pocket

Cost: $2,240 to $5,600.
Pros: It adds warmth and is easy to install and repair, but the finish makes a difference. Varnish improved stain resistance, but penetrating oils diminished it.
Cons: Nicks and scratches can easily happen, though they can be sanded out.

So what’s your preferred counter material?

Note: prices reported are in US$ and are accurate at the time of writing; they can and will change over time. Prices are for a typical kitchen with 56 square feet of counters and include installation. Variables such as region, brand, edge style, and colour may impact local costs.