Counter Tops in Phoenix & Scottsdale, AZ

There are dozens of contemporary countertop types available, made from hundreds of different materials. The pros and cons of each are usually based on cost, aesthetics, durability, maintenance, and heat resistance, since they’re typically found in kitchens and bathrooms. Here’s a review of the five most popular natural countertop types and the materials they’re made from:

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Granite

Granite receives high marks in nearly all categories. Pros include its beauty, high number of commercial varieties to choose from, extreme durability, and high heat resistance. Although it is one of the more expensive choices, it has gained recent popularity and is dropping in price. One con can be that it requires a bit of maintenance because it should be resealed periodically and washed only with a diluted, mild natural soap or granite-specific cleaner. You can view some granite examples in our phoenix kitchen remodeling portfolio.

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Marble

Marble is popular, despite its tendency to scratch, crack, and chip easily. That’s because it’s gorgeous with a polished finish and adds both beauty and value to homes. Bathrooms done from floor to ceiling in marble are extremely popular in higher-end homes right now, while households on a tighter budget may pair Marblex flooring with matching countertops Marble is also prone to damage from acidic spills, so a honed finish is sometimes used in kitchens where marble may receive a lot of wear. While marble doesn’t seem to have a lot of perks, a growing number of homeowners are willing to deal with its downsides in exchange for its beauty.

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Ceramic Tile

Ceramic tile has been popular for over 100 years and holds a lot of options for different styles, colors, and designs. It’s not as durable as a natural stone like granite, but it’s made from a dense clay and fired at high temperatures, so it does very well in the durability and heat resistance categories. Ceramic tile is a cost-effective choice, so it’s practical to purchase a box of extra tiles for replacing ones that do get damaged. It’s fairly easy to clean and maintain, although grout can stain and will require a good scrub from time to time.

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Bamboo-

Bamboo is hip right now, but it won’t be for long because it’s not durable. It’s easily damaged, warped, discolored, and stained, and it doesn’t stand up well to heat. It is considered eco-friendly, however, because bamboo grows easily with minimal resources and is safe for food preparation. A slightly more practical kitchen might make use of butcher’s block countertops instead, which similarly invite the chef to chop, slice, and cut right on the counter, but are somewhat more durable.

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Recycled Glass

Recycled glass countertops consist of about 85% post-consumer waste, so they are eco-friendly and extremely popular right now, especially in green homes, restaurants, and boutiques. These countertops are bright, colorful, stylish, and hip, available in a variety of shard sizes, colors, and combinations, even mimicking a natural stone when the shards are finely ground. Downsides are that they can be costly, some colors stain easily, and it can’t be repaired when chipped or cracked.
By: Salvatore Giardina

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