What Is The Best Countertop For A Kitchen?

Selecting the right countertop for your kitchen is an important choice which affects your home’s appearance and functionality. As there are so many countertop options to go for, it can get overwhelming choosing between materials and selecting one for a kitchen renovation. 

This may make you wonder, what is the best countertop for a kitchen? 

In short, the answer is a countertop material that suits your home’s day-to-day life. You don’t want to select a countertop that just looks good - it has to match your home’s general routine as well.

For example, if you cook regularly in an active kitchen, you’ll want a countertop that resists heat and stains well. On the other hand, if your kitchen is used less for meal preparation and more for entertaining, you might prefer a countertop that looks good and resists scratches.

Let’s get into some examples of kitchen countertops below and whether they are a good choice for your kitchen. 

Factors To Consider Before Choosing A Kitchen Countertop

Before we get into the different countertop materials, let’s cover some factors you should consider before selecting one for your kitchen. 

1. Budget

According to Home How, the cost of kitchen worktops depends on the materials you use and the size of your kitchen. 

Less expensive materials, like laminate, cost between £20 and £50 per square meter. Higher quality materials, like quartz, can cost more, with an average between £1,100 and £1,700 per kitchen. 

Your budget will play a large part in the kitchen countertop material you end up choosing. 

2. Is The Material Easy To Clean?

Kitchen countertops easily succumb to spills and mess, so it’s important to make sure your countertop material is easy to clean. 

Some materials, like concrete, can get stained easily, whereas others, like stainless steel,  and quartz countertops, resist stains well. 

3. Aesthetics

Modern kitchens should have countertops that match the kitchen’s style and finish. 

Elegant kitchens with sleek furnishings might do well with marble countertops, whereas an organic farmhouse kitchen might look better with natural stone or wood. 

If you’re struggling to choose a particular kitchen aesthetic, Cwtch Haus can help. We’ve had many years of experience creating kitchens of all styles and sizes. 

Get in touch to find out more or browse our work to give you some new inspiration. 

4. Strength and Durability

Another important factor is how well your countertops resist scratches. If you cook regularly, hot pans and sharp knives may easily damage your kitchen surfaces. 

Natural stones like soapstone countertops can scratch easily, while granite countertops are durable and can stand against scratches well. 

5. Health and Hygiene

Kitchens need to be cleaned and sanitised frequently, as cross-contamination can lead to sickness. 

Some countertop materials, like tiles, can collect food and bacteria in their grooves or scratches. Sealing may be able to amend this issue, but this job can take a while, so it’s best to choose a material without grooves which resists scratches well. 

Some countertop materials, like tiles, can collect food and bacteria in their grooves or scratches.

Types of Material For Kitchen Countertops

To answer what is the best countertop for a kitchen, we have to look into the different types of materials for kitchen countertops. 

Here are some advantages and disadvantages of countertop materials, so you can choose the best one during your kitchen renovation. 

Marble Countertops

Marble countertops are thought of as one of the best countertops for people who want a luxurious, yet elegant kitchen. Marble is naturally heat resistant and has an attractive veining characteristic, which combines its practicality and aesthetically pleasing qualities.

Despite this, marble requires additional maintenance and care. Architectural Digest states that marble is vulnerable to heat and water damage, and less resistant to chemical stains. 

Marble is also porous, so it can soak up stains that aren’t removed promptly. Lemon juice and red wine spills need to be wiped away promptly, and the countertop should be cleaned on a regular basis. 

Quartz

According to Good Housekeeping, quartz is the UK’s most popular countertop material choice as it’s heat and stain-resistant, non-porous, and available in lots of different designs. 

Quartz countertops aren’t completely made from quartz, but they are a composite material that blends a resin binder with natural quartz. If you cook regularly, have a big household, or want a countertop that’s strong and built to last, quartz could be the right choice for your home. 

However, quartz countertops are more expensive than other countertop materials and resist heat less than stainless steel or granite. You’ll still need to be cautious when using hot pans in the kitchen. 

Granite

Granite countertops are known for their attractive natural appearance and strength. The material resists scratches and heat well, so they are a nice choice for active kitchens. 

Granite colours range from white to black and have different colour flecks, so you can find a finish that works with your kitchen’s style. However, these countertops can be pricier compared to other surfaces, as it’s attractive, durable and relatively low maintenance. 

It’s easy to clean, but should not be treated with harsh chemicals, as soap and water is sufficient. Some types of granite are more porous, so they’ll need to be sealed frequently to avoid stains and bacteria buildup. 

Butcher’s Block

Butcher’s block is another affordable option to stone countertops. It’s made from wood pieces which are connected to create a bigger piece. These countertops can be made from different types of wood, like walnut, maple, oak, and cherry, so you can find a finish that goes well with your home. 

Research has even shown that wooden surfaces resist bacteria better compared to synthetic surfaces, with a study from the University of Wisconsin’s Food Research Institute finding that 99.9% of bacteria died off wooden boards in three minutes when deliberately contaminated. 

Butcher’s block is like a big cutting board, so it’s a nice choice for people who chop and slice a lot in the kitchen. However, sealed butcher block countertops aren’t safe for food preparation, so you’ll need to use a different cutting board. The wood is also porous, so it’s important to clean spills promptly to prevent wood stains later. 

Butcher block countertops can be made from different types of wood, like walnut, maple, oak, and cherry, so you can find a finish that matches your home. 

Soapstone

Soapstone is a natural stone that’s often sourced from Brazil, the Appalachian Mountains, or Finland. It contains a large amount of talc which makes the material feel soft.

Despite its soft nature, soapstone doesn’t require lots of maintenance. It’s non-porous, so it resists bacteria, heat, and stains well. You can find it in a range of grey-blue shades which have marble-like veins running through, depending on the cut of the stone.

However, soapstone can scratch easily and needs regular oiling to maintain its aesthetically pleasing appearance. As it’s a natural stone that’s often sourced internationally, it can cost more than other countertop materials. Check that it suits your kitchen renovation budget when planning a kitchen renovation.  

What Is The Best Countertop For A Kitchen?

Now you know more about different countertop materials, but what is the best countertop for a kitchen? 

The answer depends on what you want to get out of your kitchen. This will change depending on whether you want to prioritise stain resistance, durability, heat resistance, or your budget. 

• Durability: Granite is one of the most durable kitchen countertop materials as it resists scratches well. Quartz is less scratch-resistant than granite but will deliver sufficient strength against wear and tear damage.

• Stain Resistance: Granite is mostly stain resistant, but not as much as quartz or soapstone. 

• Heat Resistance: Granite delivers great heat resistance. Quartz isn’t as heat resistant as granite but provides a good level of protection against heat.

• Budget: Butcher’s block countertops are a good choice for lower budgets as they have a pleasing wooden appearance, but they don’t have sufficient heat or stain resistance. 

In the end, choosing the best countertop for your kitchen depends on several factors, like your style preferences, budget, and cooking habits. Thinking about these factors can help you shoes a material that doesn’t just look great - it fits well into your daily routine. 

There we have it! We hope this post has helped answer what is the best countertop for a kitchen. 

How We Can Help

If you’re still unsure about which countertop material would look best in your kitchen, Cwtch Haus can help.

Our team of experienced designers is here to guide you through your kitchen project, helping you choose a countertop that meets your budget, style, and practical needs.

Contact us today to learn how we can assist your kitchen project, or check out our work to see what we can do for you.