The Three Most Popular Materials for Kitchen Worktops Today

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Are you thinking of replacing your old and worn out kitchen worktop with a new one? Are you having your home built and planning to install a new worktop for your kitchen? Whether you’re replacing an old worktop or installing one for a new kitchen, you must already know by now that you have a lot of choices. The choices are seemingly endless nowadays, what with the popularity of such materials as granite, quartz, wood, stainless steel, and more. But with these choices, it can be a bit more challenging to make your selection. How do you know, for instance, that you are making the right decision and the right choice? We're here to help you. Here are the three most popular materials for kitchen worktops today, including their pros and cons.

Granite

Granite is arguably the most popular and most beloved material for kitchen worktops. There are many reasons for this, but one reason is its elegance. You can’t deny it – if you walk into a kitchen with a granite worktop, you will be immediately drawn to the beauty of the worktop. It’s a beautiful focal point for any kitchen, lending an air of style and elegance to the room with hardly any effort. So why should you choose granite? Well, first of all, it can be heat-resistant. It also comes in almost 3,000 colours and hues, which makes it perfect for all types of designs. It’s also quite strong and sturdy and can last for decades. If properly sealed, a granite worktop is also easy to maintain and clean.

Granite can be expensive, however – but think about it this way: it's a definite investment. Having a granite worktop adds monetary value to your home as it's a unique selling point, as confirmed by specialists in kitchen worktops in Ireland. The stone can be porous, but with the proper sealant, you can prevent staining. Of course, granite, due to its strength, cannot be installed by an amateur – it has to be installed by professionals so that you can have the best workmanship.

Marble

As far as kitchen worktop materials go, marble is another strong contender. This material has been used as far back as anyone can remember, and no two slabs are the same, which makes it a unique material as well. It’s undoubtedly beautiful, and you can opt for slabs with truly unique and attractive veining, and it can be heat-proof, too. It is expensive, however, and it needs proper sealing since the stone is quite porous (it’s more porous than granite). Also, if your marble worktop becomes scratched, it can be difficult to repair it.

Quartz

Quartz, also known as engineered stone, has fast become another popular material for many a modern kitchen. Quartz is human-made, which means that it is made up of 93% quartz bits or particles combined with resins and minerals. In other words, quartz, while made from natural material, is not quarried as a solid slab – factories produce each slab. The significant aspect about quartz is that it is non-porous and can resist stains and scratches and it is easy to maintain, although it can be an expensive alternative to other materials such as granite.