Luxury Countertop Materials
Adding luxury countertop materials to your home is the perfect way to elevate the look and feel of kitchens and bathrooms. In fact, the aesthetic benefits are so powerful that they extend to any rooms within sight, such as dining rooms and living rooms. Their beauty and durability make them ideal for adding touches of sophistication and boosting home value.
Which material is best? It depends! Each material has a different look and maintenance requirements, which means the answer comes down to personal preference. Still, selecting from a concise list of the best materials ensures you can get the elegant look you crave.
Here is our list of the top luxury countertop materials on the market today. To make shopping easier, they are listed in order from least to highest maintenance.
Quartz
Quartz has gained massive popularity over the last few years thanks to being high durability and low maintenance. The man-made material is composed of crushed quartz mixed with resins and pigments, providing a surface that is both beautiful and practical.
The material is resistant to scratching, staining, and heat. This makes quartz a great choice for busy households. It is also available in a broad range of colors and patterns, so you can easily find a quartz countertop that fits your style.
The price for both the material and labor sits at the upper end (higher than marble and granite), but with quartz, you definitely get what you pay for.
Concrete
Concrete is another unique and luxurious countertop material. It can be molded into any shape or size, allowing you to create a one-of-a-kind countertop for your kitchen or bathroom. These countertops look clean while adding a natural look to your home. Concrete countertops are also durable and resistant to heat and scratching, making them a practical choice for busy families.
The trick with concrete is it requires regular sealing to protect it from stains, but thankfully this doesn’t need to be done as often as other materials on the market. Concrete counters typically need resealing every one to three years.
Granite
Granite is a popular option for an elegant look. It is a natural material that is resistant to heat and scratching. Granite is also incredibly durable – second only to diamonds! It comes in thousands of colors and endless patterns, making it easy to find a granite that fits the style of your kitchen or bathroom.
Like concrete, granite requires regular sealing to protect it from stains, but maintenance is still minimal. The material is porous, so it is best practice to seal the concrete to reduce bacteria and reseal every 12 to 18 months.
Marble
One of the most sought-after luxury countertop materials is marble. Known for its stunning veining and timeless appeal, marble adds glamour to any room. It also works beautifully in home styles ranging from traditional to modern.
Keep in mind that marble is prone to staining and scratching and requires regular maintenance to keep it looking its best. It is best to reseal your marble countertops at least annually but ideally every six months.
Soapstone
Soapstone is a natural stone with a soft, matte finish and unique veining. Like other materials on the list, soapstone is resistant to stains and heat. However, it is nonporous like quartz, making it a practical choice for kitchen countertops.
Soapstone is softer than granite and marble, which means it is more prone to scratching and denting if not treated with care. These countertops may also require more seams than other materials since soapstone isn’t often sold in large slabs.
To maintain a dark look, apply mineral oil at least annually, but ideally every three months. Maintaining the trademark dark look will require more frequent application.
Wood
Wood is an excellent option if you want to add a touch of warmth and natural beauty to a kitchen or bathroom. Countertops are available in a broad range of species and finishes, making it easy to complement the design of your home. Wood is also resistant to heat and scratching and provides a ready-to-go working surface. You can select long strips of wood (edge-grain) or opt for butcher block styles (end-grain) that function like a massive cutting board.
Wood countertops require the most maintenance to keep them looking their best. They should be oiled and resealed every at least every six months if not on a monthly basis to ensure protection from stains. But if you are going for a warm and friendly look, wood is the winner.
An Option for Every Taste
Whichever luxury countertop material you choose, any of these options will add beauty and improve the look of your home. When deciding, be sure to consider the aesthetic of your home, durability, and the amount of maintenance you are comfortable with.
If you would like help determining which material is best for you, let us know! Fill out our contact form today, and we can get you well on your way to adding luxury to your home.
