When it comes to kitchen countertops, there are several different options to choose from.  Most homeowners want their kitchen countertop material to be durable, low maintenance and easy to repair.  A few common kitchen countertop materials include: quartz, granite, laminate and solid surface. Here is a breakdown of these popular countertop materials to help you select which is best for your kitchen.

Countertop Material

Benefits

Drawbacks
Quartz
  • Non-porous
  • Heat & scratch resistant
  • Variety of colors
  • Large slabs available
  • Perceived value
  • Expensive
  • Difficult to repair
Granite
  • Every slab has unique appearance
  • Extremely scratch & heat resistant
  • Durable
  • Perceived value
  • Expensive
  • High maintenance
  • Porous
  • Difficult to repair
Laminate
  • Inexpensive
  • Limitless color & pattern selection
  • Easy to maintain
  • Most edges & seams are visible
  • Can scratch & chip
  • Difficult to repair
  • Water can damage the substrate
Solid Surface
  • Many colors & patterns
  • Nearly invisible seams
  • Non-porous
  • Variety of custom options available
  • Perceived value
  • Scratches easier than granite or quartz
  • Not as heat resistant