Trending Kitchen Countertop Materials You Need to Know About

Selecting the right countertop material requires careful research whether you’re updating your kitchen or planning a complete renovation. The surface you choose needs to match both your style preferences and how you actually use your kitchen. Regardless of whether you’re considering budget laminate or premium marble slabs, the questions remain the same: Can I find the color I want? What does it cost? Will it resist stains and scratches? How easy is it to maintain? And how long will it last? We consulted with Columbus Granite to answer these questions about some trending countertop materials that homeowners are increasingly considering.

Tile Countertops Are Making a Comeback

Tile countertops are gaining popularity again, which surprises many people in the design industry. While this material has some drawbacks worth considering, it also offers benefits that appeal to certain homeowners and budgets.

Finding Your Style with Tile

The selection of tile available is massive. You’ll find nearly endless options in colors, patterns, and sizes. Porcelain tile performs slightly better than ceramic for countertops because it resists moisture intrusion more effectively. That said, if you choose glazed ceramic tile, the difference becomes minimal.

What Tile Countertops Cost

The rough average cost for purchasing and installing tile countertops runs between $18 and $36 per square foot. Compared to other materials, this represents a significant savings. Tile also works well as a DIY project if you’re handy. While tile laying requires specific skills, it’s something you can learn successfully with practice and patience.

Tile Durability and Maintenance Considerations

Tile itself is very durable and resists both stains and heat exposure well. These are two major concerns for most homeowners, so tile checks important boxes. However, the grout lines create challenges. The surface isn’t completely even, and grout requires regular attention to stay clean and looking good. This becomes especially noticeable in high-use areas around sinks and ranges. You can clean grout effectively, but you need to stay on top of it. Many homeowners want less maintenance in their new kitchens, not more, which makes tile a poor choice for them. On the positive side, tiles last a long time. If a tile breaks or cracks, you can replace individual pieces rather than the entire surface.

Kitchen Styles That Work with Tile

Tile countertops work well in several design aesthetics thanks to their flexibility in color, pattern, and shape. Mediterranean or Spanish style kitchens, mid-century designs, and eclectic spaces all pair naturally with tile. However, tile also appears in farmhouse and contemporary kitchens, particularly when working with a tighter budget.

Terrazzo Countertops Offer an Eco-Friendly Option

Terrazzo represents another surprising trend gaining traction with homeowners. This comeback feels refreshing compared to the standard quartz options that have dominated for years.

Understanding What Terrazzo Is

Terrazzo is a composite material consisting of chips of marble, quartz, granite, glass, and other materials embedded in either a cement or epoxy resin base. This mixture gets poured, cured, and then polished to create a smooth, durable surface with a distinctive speckled appearance. The customization possibilities are nearly endless. You can combine different colors and chip materials to create looks ranging from subtle to bold. This uniqueness appeals to homeowners who want something different from mainstream options.

Terrazzo Pricing and Performance

Expect to pay around $200 per square foot on average for terrazzo countertops. The price can climb higher depending on the recipe of ingredients in the slab and whether you choose a pre-made slab or custom-poured option. The investment delivers impressive durability. Terrazzo countertops are nearly indestructible and can last up to 75 years. You do need to seal the surface annually to maintain water resistance, but otherwise maintenance stays easy.

Design Styles That Pair with Terrazzo

Terrazzo works beautifully in modern or contemporary kitchens. The material also complements mid-century, eclectic, and industrial aesthetics. If you want a countertop that makes a statement while being environmentally thoughtful, terrazzo deserves consideration.

Quartz Remains the Top Choice Despite Controversy

No countertop conversation is complete without discussing quartz. Despite some controversy around this material, including an outright ban in Australia, quartz stays at the top of the list for North American consumers.

Why Quartz Stays Popular

If you like the look of natural stone surfaces such as marble and quartzite, manufactured quartz delivers that aesthetic. The selection available now is enormous, ranging from basic solid colors to patterns with veining that mimics natural stone.

Quartz checks most boxes for functional countertop requirements. It resists stains, requires easy maintenance, resists scratches, is non-porous, offers antimicrobial properties, and resists heat to a certain point. Remember that quartz can burn if you apply enough heat directly to the surface, so always use trivets with hot pans. The material is somewhat repairable and typically comes with strong warranties from manufacturers.

What Quartz Costs

The price range for quartz runs anywhere from $50 to $120 or more per square foot. As with most fabricated and installed materials, many variables determine the final price.

Two kitchens with identical square footage of countertop could have drastically different prices. Factors include pattern choice, color options, thickness, edge detail, number of cutouts, seam placement, distance from the supplier, and vendor markup. When shopping for quartz, get multiple quotes to find the best value.

Design Compatibility

You can use quartz in various design styles. It pairs particularly well with modern, contemporary, transitional, and traditional kitchens.

Granite Continues as a Natural Stone Favorite

For many years, granite was the default countertop option for every mid to high-end home. This natural stone gets quarried from the earth, cut into slabs, polished, and installed in your kitchen. Granite still remains a top pick for many homeowners and will likely continue holding strong in coming years.

Many homeowners are looking again for more natural solutions in their homes, which works in granite’s favor. Some people express concern about radon emissions from granite, and there are mixed views on its safety. If radon concerns you, research this topic further when making your decision.

Granite Veining Patterns

Granite offers many types of veining patterns. Linear veining, like that found in Thunder White granite, features continuous branching lines running in one direction. Tree veins, mostly found in marble but also appearing in granite like Bianco Antico, resemble tree branches reaching in multiple directions for a captivating appearance. Brecciated stones, such as Breccia Imperial, show veins that appear like circular islands within the stone surrounded by darker margins. This creates a unique and beautiful look. Contrasting veins widen and narrow randomly, making for eye-catching designs like Copa Cabana. Thick veins give a subtle appearance perfect for those wanting a less dramatic countertop. You can find thick veins in stone such as Viano. Subtle veins, like those in Absolute Black, have a muted, understated appearance.

Granite Works with Many Design Styles

Because granite offers so many options, it pairs well with many design styles. From ultra-modern to French country traditional, you’ll find granite that fits just about any vision. Columbus Granite maintains a wide selection that helps homeowners see the variety available.

Marble Represents the Premium Choice

When it comes to countertops, marble is the premium option. However, it’s not for everyone. In fact, it’s not for most people, but those who choose it typically love it.

Marble’s Distinctive Character

Marble is a very distinct stone with distinctive veining patterns. Like other natural stones, you can find slabs with linear veins, tree veins, brecciated veins, contrasting veins, and subtle veins. Finding a stone that fits your vision won’t be difficult if marble is what you’re after.

Marble Pricing and Special Properties

Marble sits on the high end of the purchase scale. Expect an average installed price around $75 to $250 or more per square foot. Like granite and engineered stone, many variables affect pricing. If you enjoy baking pastries, marble offers a practical advantage. The stone stays much cooler than other materials, which helps when working with dough. Marble is also highly heat resistant and very durable.

Understanding Marble’s Vulnerabilities

Marble is susceptible to scratches and stains because it’s a softer, more porous stone than granite or quartzite. With proper care, you can maintain it successfully, and it becomes an amazing addition for the right homeowner’s kitchen. Marble works with just about any design style, making it as versatile aesthetically as it is demanding practically.

Making Your Decision

Choosing countertops involves balancing cost, maintenance requirements, durability, and style preferences. Tile and terrazzo offer budget-friendly and unique options. Quartz delivers reliable performance with minimal maintenance. Granite provides natural beauty with proven longevity. Marble represents the premium choice for homeowners willing to maintain it. Visit Columbus Granite to see these materials in person and discuss which option fits your lifestyle and budget. Seeing actual slabs helps you understand how colors and patterns will look in your space, and getting expert guidance ensures you make a choice you’ll be happy with for years to come.

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