With so many countertop materials available for consumers to choose from these days, making a decision can come down to more than just cost or durability. For many homeowners, the decision comes down to a matter of personal style and taste. So which option has become the most favored among the most discerning clients? According to remodeling expert Chris Fuller, whose company specializes in kitchen remodeling in Melbourne, FL, the countertop material that is most popular right now is granite.
When it comes to remodeling and preferred materials, however, Fuller emphasizes the fact that these are personal decisions that every homeowner makes with his own reasoning in mind. “The most common materials most people are talking about choosing between in cases like this would be granite, marble, or a quartz,” says Fuller. “But each of those options is still going to have its own pitfall.”
Marble
With marble, the troublesome issue that comes up most often is the issue of staining. Because marble is very porous, it will stain and burn easily if the homeowner is not careful. Someone who goes with marble for a countertop won’t ever be able to set a hot pot down without first setting down a pad or a trivet, since that hot pot will likely burn the countertop.
If you have already decided to use marble in your kitchen renovation, then you just need to be aware that you are going to have to be extremely careful with it. And in addition to that, you should expect to do some preventative maintenance on the marble as well, which means getting it re-sealed frequently.
When it comes to his clients getting kitchen remodels, Fuller says he does not recommend people choose marble simply because it’s usually not worth its added expense and maintenance. Of course, Fuller says, not everyone agrees with that assertion. Many homeowners still choose marble when they undertake luxury kitchen renovations simply because they like the way it looks. One type of marble that is most common in kitchen is Carrera marble, which Fuller says most people have heard of at some point before. Among the kitchen remodeling projects in Melbourne, FL, Fuller estimates that up to 10% are done using marble as one of the main countertop materials.
Quartz
For homeowners interested in a countertop material with a more monotone design, Fuller recommends checking out quartz. Unlike granite, quartz tends to have a more standard design that can fit in well with more modern or contemporary kitchen styles.
The downside with quartz is that it does cost more than granite or marble. It can be nearly $15 more expensive per foot than the other comparable options. That can be a big factor in the reasoning why fewer clients end up choosing quartz than some of the other luxury materials that are on the market right now.
Granite
In the kitchen remodels I handle, granite is still the most popular countertop material. This has been true for quite a while now, and there are a number of reasons why this is still the case. Even clients who want higher-end products still want to feel like they are getting a good deal financially, and I think people appreciate the fact that you can pick a granite that looks similar to a quartz material in color but costs quite a bit less. By choosing granite over quartz, my clients are saving $15 to $20 per foot.
As Fuller mentioned earlier, granite is of a comparable price to marble. The only difference between the two is that granite is generally easier to maintain. So that is a major reason why people choose granite over some of the other options—they like the style, they like the price, and they like how easy it is to maintain.
Wood
One countertop material that few people think about is wood. When it is applied correctly, wood countertops can add an unexpected and sophisticated look to a kitchen. Many of my high-end clients will ask to have a section of wood inserted into their granite countertops to be used as a permanent cutting board. Despite the fact that this wood block is only a few feet in size, it can add a dynamic element to any basic kitchen at a minimal extra cost.
When we do kitchen remodeling in Melbourne, FL, says Fuller, the clients we work with are very discerning. They know what they like, and they know how much they are willing to spend. At Kitchen Bath & Glass Center, we work hard to meet their needs, and give our clients the overall kitchen style they have been looking for.
