If you’re looking for a way to give your Scottsdale home a new look, updating the kitchen countertops is a great start. The good news is that there are lots of materials to choose from; that also means it’s easy to get overwhelmed when it comes to making this decision. It’s no longer just between laminate and granite. That’s why you should check out this list of pros and cons for the top kitchen countertop options to make sure you make the right decision for your Scottsdale home.
Kitchen
Granite
Pros: Granite has long been the most popular choice for kitchen countertops. This material is strong, easy to clean, and comes in so many colors that you should be able to find one that works perfectly for your kitchen. Plus, granite is resistant to heat, water, stains, and scratches, so it should look nice for years.
Cons: Of course, there are a few downsides to granite. For one, it’s among the most expensive kitchen countertop surfaces available. While it is pretty durable, that’s only true when it’s properly sealed. In most cases, granite should be sealed at least once a year, making it a fairly high-maintenance countertop material.
Quartz
Pros: If you want a material that looks similar to granite but is a little lower maintenance, quartz could be it. You never need to seal it because this material is nonporous, and it’s resistant to stains, heat, scratches, and water. Plus, it doesn’t crack or chip easily, giving your kitchen a polished look for years.
Cons: Quartz costs about the same as granite, which makes it among the costliest options for the kitchen in your Scottsdale home. In addition, it’s not quite as resistant to heat as granite is, which means putting a very hot pan on the surface could damage it. Quartz is a little harder to repair than most other kitchen countertops.
Marble
Pros: If you love the look of stone, marble may be a good choice for your Scottsdale home. It can easily add a touch of class and beauty to any kitchen, and it’s timeless, so it will look nice both now and when you decide to sell your house.
Cons: Marble is a fairly soft surface, so it can stain and become scratched easily, though sealing it periodically can help. It’s also about as expensive as granite and quartz.
Tile
Pros: Tile is one of the least expensive kitchen countertop materials on the market. If you want to save even more money, you can start a new home improvement project and install the tiles and grout yourself. You can even customize this type of countertop so it has the exact tile pattern you would like.
Cons: Tile is known for being difficult to maintain. The grout is easily stained unless you take the time to seal it about once a year. Tile can crack when you drop something heavy on it, so it’s not as durable and low maintenance as some kitchen countertop materials.
Butcher block
Pros: If you want a simple, inexpensive countertop, butcher block is a good choice. It’s more affordable than any type of stone, and it creates a warm, traditional feel in any kitchen. Plus, if you’re constantly chopping food and want to reduce your dependence on cutting boards, installing butcher block is ideal because it’s like having one giant cutting board in your kitchen!
Cons: If you’re going to be chopping food on the surface, or even expect some simple spills once in a while, you need to seal the wood to keep it from staining. You may also need to oil, sand, or completely resurface it in the future, which means this is not a low maintenance option for your Scottsdale home.
If you just want to improve your kitchen, switching out an old countertop for one of these materials can help. But if you feel that a new countertop won’t fix the problems you have with your current house, contact us today so we can help you find a new Scottsdale home with a kitchen you’ll love!
Don Matheson
Realtor | Founder
The Matheson Team – RE/MAX Fine Properties
21000 N. Pima Rd., #100, Scottsdale, AZ 85255
480-360-0281
don@scottsdalerealestate.com
