Decorating Rooms Kitchen Decor & Design Kitchen Countertops The Pros and Cons of Common Kitchen Countertop Materials By Caitlin Sole Caitlin Sole Instagram Caitlin Sole is the senior home editor at BHG. She is a writer and editor with nearly a decade of interior design expertise. She has vast experience with digital media, including SEO, photo shoot production, video production, eCommerce content, print collaboration, and custom sales content. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on November 16, 2021 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Jeff Herr With exposure to water, heat, sharp knives, and spills, countertops carry a heavy burden in the kitchen. Discover the pros and cons of the top countertop materials to help you make the right choice for your kitchen. 01 of 18 Natural Stone Countertops: Marble, Granite, Limestone, Soapstone David Greer Natural stone is a durable material that stands up to the tough wear of an active kitchen. The most popular natural stone countertop materials are granite and marble, but limestone, soapstone, and slate are also commonly used. Stone's natural variations in colors, patterns, and textures make each countertop unique; no two slabs are exactly alike. Before purchasing natural stone countertops, take a large sample home to make sure you've found the perfect piece. Average Price of Real Stone Countertops: $50-$150 per square foot Marble vs. Granite: Learn Which Popular Countertop Material Is Best for You 02 of 18 Natural Stone Countertops: Pros and Cons of Marble, Granite, Soapstone, and More Rett Peek Jr Pros of Natural Stone: Durable and long-lastingClassic material that does not go out of styleHeat-resistant Cons of Natural Stone: Naturally porous and therefore needs to be sealed when installedRequires regular maintenance and resealing for food safety and aesthetic upkeepSofter stones, such as marble or limestone, might be chipped or cracked (but can be buffed)Susceptible to stainsMost expensive countertop material 03 of 18 Engineered Stone Countertops: Quartz Brie Williams Engineered stone (sometimes called cultured stone) is a composite material made up primarily of resins plus natural stone. Engineered stone is often just called quartz, or quartz surfacing, due to the high percentage of quartz within the engineered stone. These surfaces are more durable than natural stone and come in a variety of colors, textures, and graining. Additionally, unlike natural stone, quartz countertops are available in uniform colors and patterns. Average Price of Quartz Countertops: $50-$100 per square foot Everything You Need to Know About Quartz Countertops Before Upgrading Your Kitchen 04 of 18 Engineered Stone Countertops: Pros and Cons of Quartz Edmund Barr Pros of Quartz Countertops: Heat-, stain-, and scratch-resistantEasy to cleanDoes not require sealing or special care Cons of Quartz: Not as natural-looking as solid stone countertopsHeat exposure over time can cause damageCosts almost as much as real stone 05 of 18 Solid-Surfacing Countertops Emily Followill Solid-surfacing is a low-maintenance, budget-friendly alternative to natural or engineered stone. Solid-surfacing countertops mimic the look of natural stone without the cost or required maintenance. Consisting of a combination of manufactured materials, solid-surfacing can be easily customized to suit your needs and comes in a variety of color possibilities and design options. It can also resemble glass or concrete countertops. Corian is a widely used brand of solid surfacing, and sometimes the material is referred to by this name. Average Price of Solid-Surfacing Countertops: $40-$150 per square foot 06 of 18 Solid-Surfacing Countertops: Pros and Cons Edmund Barr Pros of Solid Surfacing: Heat-, stain-, and moisture-resistantDoesn't fade or age with timeEasy to cleanCan be repaired Cons of Solid Surfacing: Can be scorchedNot scratchproof; deep cuts or scratches might require special careNot as natural-looking as stone and engineered stone 07 of 18 Laminate Kitchen Countertops Jay Wilde Laminate is constructed with a thin sheet of plastic resin covering plywood or particleboard. Because laminate gets its look from high-quality printed paper, it is inexpensive and widely available. Advancements in printing technology and edge options allow laminate countertops to mimic stone, metal, or wood without the cost of natural materials. Average Price of Laminate Countertops: $15-$65 per square foot 08 of 18 Laminate Counters: Pros and Cons Philip Harvey Pros of Laminate Countertops: Heat-, stain-, and scratch-resistantEasy to cleanLower costs than all other countertop materials Cons of Laminate: Sharp knives and hot pans can damage laminateScorching, deep scratches, and cracks cannot be repairedOnly allows for drop-in sinks due to its construction 09 of 18 Wood Kitchen Countertops Stacy Goldberg Wood countertops add instant warmth and charm to your kitchen. Butcherblock is the most common type of wood countertop, but crafted wood slabs from varieties like maple, teak, cherry, and walnut are also available. Wood is a great prep countertop material. Average Price of Wood Countertops: $20 to $70 per square foot 10 of 18 Pros and Cons of Wood Countertops Jason Donnelly Pros of Wood Counters: Withstands cutting and chopping without dulling knives Long-lasting, timeless material that wears with use for a charming patina Cons of Wood: Vulnerable to moisture, heat, acid, corrosive chemicals, and stainsShrinks or expands with extreme dryness or moistureRequires food-friendly sealing and routine maintenance 11 of 18 Concrete Kitchen Countertops Jeff Herr Concrete countertops are less common—but no less stylish—than natural stone countertops and complement a broad range of styles. Concrete is an extremely durable and surprisingly versatile material that can be tinted and sculpted for maximum design possibilities. Concrete countertops complement other natural materials such as wood and stone. Average Price of Concrete Countertops: $65 to $135 per square foot 12 of 18 Pros and Cons of Concrete Countertops Brie Williams Pros of Concrete Countertops: Heat- and stain-resistantDurableCracks can be repaired Cons of Concrete: Must be sealed and regularly maintained to resist stains and waterSusceptible to damage from highly acidic liquidsCan be extremely heavy and require extra care 13 of 18 Stainless-Steel Kitchen Countertops Michael Partenio Borrowed from restaurant kitchens, stainless-steel countertops are an ideal cook's companion. They pair easily with any decorating style, from modern to traditional, because they complement many kitchen appliances. Other metal countertop materials include copper, pewter, and zinc, but those are more style-specific. Average Price of Stainless-Steel Countertops: $80-$150 per square foot 14 of 18 Pros and Cons of Stainless-Steel Counters John Granen Pros of Stainless-Steel Countertops: AntibacterialStain- and heat-resistantHighly durable, making it ideal for food prep Cons of Metal Counters: Copper, pewter, and zinc are susceptible to scratches and dentsIf stainless steel is scratched or dented, it's possible it cannot be repairedCan be expensive 15 of 18 Eco-Friendly Kitchen Countertops Edmund Barr Bamboo, recycled glass, and paper composites (a combination of resin, pigments, and recycled paper) are all eco-friendly countertop materials. Recycled-glass countertops offer a unique look well-suited to contemporary kitchens. Some eco-friendly countertop materials might be harder to find in certain areas of the country. Average Price of Eco-Friendly Countertop Materials: $25 to $100 per square foot; dependent on material 16 of 18 Pros and Cons of Eco-Friendly Countertops Michael Skott Pros of Bamboo, Recycled Glass, and Paper Composite Countertops: Bamboo is easy to clean and less expensive than other eco-friendly countertop materials. It also has antibacterial properties.Recycled glass countertops are durable, heat- and stain-resistant, and easy to clean.Paper composite counters are durable and easy to clean. Cons of Eco-Friendly Counter Materials: Bamboo countertops need to be sealed and routinely treated. They're susceptible to scratches and burning.Recycled glass can chip, scratch, or break with heavy impacts.Paper composite is also susceptible to scratches and stains. It is not heat-resistant and has limited color choices. 17 of 18 Tile Kitchen Countertops Kimberly Gavin Tile provides a budget-friendly way to customize countertops. Ceramic tiles are durable and come in a variety of colors, shapes, textures, and sizes so that any style or look can be achieved. While tile itself is durable, grout lines are highly susceptible to stains and mildew, so require regular cleaning. Average Price of Tile Countertops: $15 to $20 per square foot 18 of 18 Pros and Cons of Tile Countertops Alise O'Brien Pros of Tile Counters: Budget-friendlyCan be a do-it-yourself projectGlazed ceramic tile is heat-, scratch-, stain-, and moisture-resistant Cons of Tile: Tiles can chip or crackAlthough tiles might be resistant, grout is susceptible to stains and mildew, so it requires routine cleaning Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit