The kitchen countertop you choose has a big impact on the space’s overall look and feel, as well as your budget. There’s a wide range of material options with an even wider range in cost. This guide covers popular countertop material options, their price points, pros and cons, and other factors to keep in mind when choosing which is best for your kitchen.
Popular Countertop Materials
Your countertop options typically fit into one of these three buckets.
Natural Stone Options
Natural stone countertops such as granite, marble, and soapstone offer timeless beauty and durability.
- Granite: Known for its striking patterns and heat resistance
- Marble: Prized for its elegant veining but requires more maintenance
- Soapstone: Offers a unique, soft texture and natural heat resistance
You can get each type of stone in various colors, patterns, and textures. Natural stone countertops typically start at $40* per square foot and can go up to $200 or more for high-end options.
*Prices in this article are averaged from Angi data.
Engineered Stone Choices
Engineered stone countertops combine the beauty of natural stone with enhanced durability and lower price tags. You can choose from quartz, which is made from crushed quartz crystals mixed with resins and pigments, or solid surfaces that are a blend of acrylic and polyester materials.
These options offer consistent patterns, low maintenance, and a wide range of colors. Prices for engineered stone countertops start around $20 per square foot for solid surface and $55 per square foot for quartz.
Pro Tip: As demonstrated during a This Old House visit to a quartz manufacturing facility in Minnesota, quartz countertops are made from mined quartz mineral that is crushed and sorted into pieces ranging from large chunks down to a fine powder. Those pieces are then mixed with a binder to create the finished slab. The result is an extremely hard, non-porous surface that basically won’t scratch and won’t stain—so it’s easy to clean and you don’t have to seal it like granite.
Budget-Friendly Alternatives
For those on a tighter budget, you have several affordable options:
- Laminate: Averaging $35 per square foot, laminate comes in many colors and patterns.
- Ceramic tile: Averaging $28 per square foot, tile provides endless customization possibilities.
- Butcher block: At around $75 per square foot, wood countertops add warmth to a kitchen.
Pro Tip: Nathan, a This Old House contractor, notes that laminate “can look dated over time” but adds that “some of the newer products they’ve come out with look a little bit better.” However, he cautions that laminate is “just MDF board, layered up, and that’s just adhered on top, so it can chip and flake over the years.” If you’re ready for an upgrade, he recommends butcher block as a worthwhile step up that’s “easier for us to work with with woodworking tools.”
Factors To Consider When Choosing Countertops
Think about how your household and family function when choosing a material. Here are some things to keep in mind.
Durability and Maintenance
Assess how well the material withstands daily use, heat, and stains. Some materials, such as granite and quartz, are highly durable and need little maintenance. Others, such as marble and wood, may need more frequent sealing or special care.
Pro Tip: Engineered quartz countertops—made from about 94 percent ground quartz combined with polyester resins—are arguably the most durable option for kitchens. The quartz is nonporous, stain resistant, unfazed by heat, and unaffected by everyday acids like coffee, citrus, and vinegar. As This Old House has noted, it’s hard as steel: Drag a key across a quartz-based engineered countertop and a film of metal is left behind. Natural stone, meanwhile, is also unaffected by heat but may require periodic resealing to prevent stains.
Cost and Budget
Countertop prices vary widely, from as little as $15 to as much as $350 per square foot. Factor in not just the material cost but also installation fees, which cost an average of $75 per square foot.
Aesthetic and Design Versatility
Your countertop should complement your kitchen’s overall design. Consider color, pattern, and texture when making your selection. Some materials, such as natural stone, offer unique variations, while engineered options provide more consistent appearances. Material versatility allows you to match countertops with cabinetry, flooring, and other kitchen elements to create a cohesive look.
Comparing Top Countertop Materials
Here’s how some of the most popular choices compare.
Granite vs. Quartz
Granite is beautiful and heat-resistant but requires periodic sealing. Quartz, on the other hand, is non-porous, more consistent in appearance, and requires less maintenance. Both materials are durable and start at similar price points, with quartz averaging slightly cheaper.
Laminate vs. Solid Surface
Laminate is the most budget-friendly option, starting at around $20 per square foot. It offers a wide range of colors and patterns but can chip or scratch. Solid-surface countertops, starting at $45 per square foot, provide seamless installation and are repairable but can be damaged by heat.
Wood vs. Stainless Steel
Wood countertops, starting at $35 per square foot, add warmth and are gentle on dishware but require regular maintenance. Stainless steel, starting at $80 per square foot, offers a sleek, modern look and is heat-resistant but can scratch easily and amplify kitchen noise.
Concrete vs. Marble
Concrete countertops, starting at $70 per square foot, have an industrial look and can be custom-formed for unique designs. They are durable but require sealing to prevent staining. Marble, starting around $45 per square foot, exudes luxury with its sleek, polished look but demands more maintenance because of its porous nature and susceptibility to scratches and stains.
Installation and Customization
Countertop installation methods vary depending on the material you choose.
DIY-Friendly Options
Some materials, such as laminate and ceramic tile, are suitable for DIY installation. Wood countertops can also be a DIY project for those with woodworking skills. DIY installation can help reduce overall costs.
Professional Installation Considerations
Natural stone, engineered stone, and some specialty materials typically require professional installation. This ensures proper fitting, sealing, and finishing, which are crucial for the longevity and appearance of your countertops.
Pro Tip: Alyssa St. Gelais, a countertop installation specialist featured on a recent This Old House project, explains that seam quality is the hallmark of a good installation: “The way that we do the seams is we pretty much mix the epoxy with different colors. And that’s the real trick to getting a good seam, is making sure that color blends in with the background and it’s not popping out.”
Maintenance Tips for Different Countertop Materials
Proper maintenance keeps your countertops clean and in good condition.
Cleaning and Care for Natural Stone
Clean natural stone countertops regularly with mild soap and water. Avoid acidic cleaners, which can etch the surface. Seal granite and marble annually to maintain their resistance to stains and etching.
Preserving Engineered Surfaces
Engineered surfaces such as quartz and solid surfaces are low-maintenance. Clean with soap and water or nonabrasive cleaners. Avoid excessive heat and harsh chemicals to prevent damage.
Upkeep for Budget-Friendly Options
For laminate, use mild cleaners and avoid abrasive materials. You need to regularly oil wood countertops to maintain their appearance and water resistance. You may need to periodically reseal ceramic tile grout to prevent staining.
For daily wood countertop maintenance, TOH Magazine recommends wiping down the surface with a damp cloth and a small amount of dish soap, followed by a clean, damp cloth. To sanitize, spritz with a solution of 1 part white vinegar to 4 parts water, let it sit for 10 minutes, then wipe away. Avoid harsh cleansers with ammonia or bleach, which can eat away the finish and raise the grain. For stubborn stains and odors, sprinkle the area with table salt and rub it in with a lemon quarter, squeezing juice as you go—let the mixture sit a few minutes, then wipe clean.
Concrete Countertops
You should clean concrete countertops with a pH-neutral cleaner to avoid damaging the sealant. Regular sealing will protect against stains and moisture. Polish the surface occasionally to maintain its smooth finish. Avoid placing extremely hot objects directly on the countertop to prevent damage.
Pro Tip: Not all countertops need to be sealed—some stone is so dense that staining isn’t a serious problem. According to This Old House Magazine, the test is simple: Place a drop of water on the surface. If it doesn’t darken the stone after several minutes, a sealer is optional. If it does absorb, look for a penetrating sealer (also called an impregnator) that contains a fluorochemical, which repels both water- and oil-based stains. Penetrating sealers that contain only silicone repel just water.
