Countertop Contractors | The Best Materials to Use for Kitchen Countertops Baltimore MD

If you’re planning to remodel your kitchen, you're probably going to want to ditch those laminate counter tops. It may be time to step up to the big league and go for the sophisticated home look. Granite is, of course, the top choice when it comes to counter top renovations, but it’s not the only choice.

Let's get into some alternative materials:

It’s beautiful but spendy, which means that marble is usually only considered by those ready to shallot big bucks. Prices range from $125 to $200 a square foot which means you can spend upwards of $4,000 for a 20 square foot section, hardly large enough for even the smallest kitchen. Marble is waterproof and heatproof, but easily stains. 

From spendy, to trendy. For a custom design, concrete is the favorite of some homeowners. Created by artisans, concrete counters give you a one-of-a-kind look and can be color tinted. It resists heat and scratches; it is also porous requiring a sealant to protect the surface. Ironically, its cost rivals marble and may cost you much more for whatever customizations you desire including back splashes. 

Hated by some almost as much as laminate, ceramic tile has its advantages including its low-price, ease of installation and variety of designs. It can, however, chip easily and grout lines will stain. Best to have as many extra pieces of tile ready and plan to re-grout regularly.

 

Homes with a rustic theme will sometimes feature wood or butcher block counters, made of oak and maple and offering numerous stains and finishes. Sand and reseal as needed to give these counters a fresh look, something you’ll need to do when water and stains appear. Butcher block is made to order which means that pricing is customized too, reflecting the size of your counters, the wood selected and other factors. Wood takes a fair amount of care.

If you like an industrial look, then stainless steel may be right for your kitchen. Available in a variety of styles including “1950s diner feel,” stainless steel counter tops stand the test of time and are easy to clean. This choice is also expensive, prone to denting and it can be noisy. 

If you’re looking for a unique material with special characteristics, then soapstone is worth a look. Priced from $50 to $90 per square foot, soapstone is comparable to granite with a smooth, dark gray surface. Cracking is possible if soapstone is not regularly treated with mineral oil.

Do you like quartz? If so, that’s the main ingredient of engineered stone. Attractive, easy to clean and needing no special sealants or cleansing materials, engineered stone resists scratching. I...