7 Best Countertops for Any Business
Navigating the business world is a challenging feat. The last thing you need is to spend your limited time researching types of countertops for your office. Hiring a professional interior designer with extensive knowledge of countertop materials will help you save time and money.
We understand that efforts are made during the design process to cut costs. Countertops are a huge investment and are commonly one of the first things to be downgraded to save money. While this may be appropriate in some cases, it is not always the best option. It is important to know the pros and cons of each countertop material to choose the right application. Below is a summary of the common types of countertops and their features.
Granite – Natural Stone - $$-$$$
Photo Credit: Mundo Fachadas
Usually recognized by its typical spotty appearance, Granite is highly durable and heat resistant. It is generally unaffected by harsh chemicals and easy to clean and maintain. Granite can be fairly expensive depending on the grade, thickness, and finish. Natural stone varies with looks and porousness in each slab.
Marble – Natural Stone - $$-$$$$
Marble is a beautiful white stone with veins of grays and golds. It can bring elegance to any space. It is important to note that it is a high maintenance material. Marble can withstand a fair amount of heat but is a soft stone that scratches and stains easily. To maintain the quality of the marble, special cleaners have to be used. Acids etch the finish on marble. Since it is a natural stone, just like granite, it varies with look and porousness in each slab.
Photo Credit: Anne Sage
Quartzite – Natural Stone - $$$-$$$$
If you like the look and feel of marble, but can't commit to the upkeep of marble, try quartzite. It's a beautiful flowing natural stone. Quartzite is heat and scratch-resistant. It is not affected by harsh chemicals and is easily maintained and cleaned. Some slabs of quartzite require sealing more often than others. It may not have a continuous look from slab to slab.
Photo Credit: Heidi Piron
Soapstone – Natural Stone - $$$-$$$$
Photo Credit: Surface1
Soapstone, another natural stone, is highly heat resistant but can scratch easily. It's fairly easy to take care of, use a mild soap and water to clean. This stone naturally darkens over time. Using mineral oil will speed up this process, but harsh chemicals will undo the oil's work. Since soapstone can scratch easily, mineral oil can help to camouflage the imperfections. It's not as durable as granite, but should not crack under stress and pressure.
Dekton – Man-made - $$$-$$$$
Dekton is a blend of raw materials, quartz, porcelain, and glass. These materials are subjected to extreme heat and compacted to form the material. Dekton is non-porous, highly scratch-resistant and highly heat resistant. Hot pans are no match for Dekton! This material never needs to be sealed and is naturally antimicrobial, which makes it a great option for indoor and exterior uses. It is highly resistant to UV rays, which means it will maintain its original texture and color when used in exterior applications.
Photo Credit: Unknown
Quartz – Man-made - $$$-$$$$
Photo Credit: Rieke Office Interiors
Quartz is made of a mixture of natural stone and resin. Man-made countertops can be made to look more uniform and look like any natural stone. It is scratch-resistant, unaffected by most chemicals, and easily cleaned and maintained. One downfall of this countertop is that when subjected to high heat, it can scorch. The different grades of quartz are based on the ratio of stone and resin. The higher the stone, the higher the rating.
Solid Surface – Man-made - $$-$$$$
Photo Credit: Archiproducts
