Which Type of Countertop Is Best for My Kitchen and Bathroom Remodeling Projects?

Tile Resurfacing Buffalo NY As an interior designer for home remodels, I frequently receive questions about the pros and cons of different kinds of countertops. Of course, all types have their good and bad aspects, and the overall look you want to achieve with your remodeling project will also be a big factor, as well as durability and ease of maintenance. Here is a run down of the most common types of countertop materials and some of the pros and cons of each:

Granite: Granite is all the rage these days and for some good reasons.

Pros: It is naturally beautiful, each piece is unique, it's fairly plentiful, very durable, easy to clean with a damp cloth, hard to break, heat proof, and it comes in a wide variety of colors. It also is not very hard to maintain. Sealing it every few years is usually all that's needed. Some granite suppliers now have a 15 year or lifetime sealant that can be applied, but this product is more expensive.

Cons: It can be pricey, it can stain - especially the lighter colors, and for some people - the sealing every few years is more maintenance than they want. When you buy it, you must pick out your exact slab because you cannot trust that each slab will look the same as your sample.

Engineered Quartz: (also commonly known as Silestone, Caesarstone, Zodiac, Hanstone, Cambria and many others)

Pros: Engineered stone is composed of 93% quartz particles and the remaining 7% is comprised of resin and pigments. It is available in a large range of colors and has a nonporous surface that resists scratches. It's easy to maintain, without the repeated sealing required by natural stone. It also provides a consistent look with each slab being the same as the next. Since it is solid and without any natural cracks or crevices, it is good for food prep and cleans easily with a mild soap and water.