8 Alternatives to Granite For Your Kitchen

When it is time to remodel a kitchen, most people turn to granite for their countertops.  In fact, according to a survey conducted in 2012 by Harris Interactive on behalf of The Marble Institute, 75 percent of homeowners looking to remodel their kitchens within 2 years said they were going to go with granite.

Granite is certainly a good, secure option.  It is highly durable and its good looks will last awhile.  However, it is still highly expensive and heavy, and requires quite a bit of upkeep.

Zillow has come up with a thorough list of 8 Kitchen Counter Options That Will Make You Forget Granite.  Here is a breakdown of their list:

Carrara Marble

- White or blue-grey marble
- Softer than granite
- Does stain and scratch, creating a "warmer" patina as it undergoes the aging process
- Often used in sculpture and building decor, particularly in Italy

Wood

- "Butcher block" is the most common type used, but other woods such as cherry, bamboo, zebra wood and iroko have been used
- Highly durable
- Wear on the wood give the counters a nice patina
- Some maintenance required to prevent drying of the wood

Soapstone

- Smooth, matte, natural stone
- Soft-grey to Charcoal in color
- Acid and heat resistant
- No special cleaners needed
- Oils can be used to enhance the stone's look

Engineered Quartz

- 95% natural quartz, 5% polymer resins
- Super-hard, low-maintenance, natural-looking
- Comes in a variety of colors
- Relatively scratch and heat resistant

Concrete

- Many colorizing and stain techniques available
- Can add embedded stones, tiles, silicone chips to create a unique counter
- Highly durable: scratch-resistant and heat-resistant
- Extremely heavy
- Can be damaged by acidic substances, and must be sealed and maintained to resist stains

Glass

- Versatile and easily customizable
- Can endure high-heat
- Wont stain
- Non-porous, making them very hygienic
- Under-mounted sinks not recommended

Stainless Steel

 - Complimentary to many of today's stainless steel appliances
- Stain and heat-resistant
- Can be scratched or dented
- Other metal countertops fall in this category: copper, pewter, zinc

 Solid Surfaces

- Can look like natural stone
- Less expensive and require less maintenance than real stone
- Can be created with no seams
- Heat and moisture resistant
- Easy to Clean
- Can be scorched and scratched


If you are looking to remodel your kitchen, give me a call or send me an e-mail and we will put you in touch with some experts in the field.