Kitchen countertop options for any budget

Consumers have many choices when it comes to kitchen countertops. The biggest deciding factor in the choice of countertop material is budget, but there are other factors to consider. Some countertops are more suited to some kitchen designs than others, and some are easier to maintain. 

A pure marble countertop is the most beautiful countertop option, and will last for generations. Marble countertops are very expensive and can scratch or chip, though, so home owners might want to consider only using pure marble in parts of the kitchen where no real work is done. Solid granite countertops are another beautiful, high quality and upscale option. Granite is a natural stone, so it compliments wood cabinets and neutral paint colors quite nicely.

Solid granite countertops do need a lot of care, however, because they absorb stains and can crack under stress. Another stone kitchen countertop that is much easier to maintain is the engineered stone kitchen countertop. These kitchen countertops are manmade and much more durable than natural granite. There are other solid surface materials which are less expensive and come in a wide variety of patterns and colors, as well.

There are even some solid surface countertops that pass as solid granite countertops with the right patterns. They are usually very stain-resistant, but solid surface countertops can be sensitive to the heat. Serious home chefs may want to go for stainless steel kitchen countertops, because they make the kitchen look like a professional restaurant.

These are generally more expensive, but they will last for a very long time. Stainless steel countertops are easy to clean and hot pans are not a problem, but they can dent if something very heavy is dropped on them. 

For an outdoorsy look, there are also concrete kitchen countertops. Treated concrete will not crack as easily as normal concrete, and these countertops are usually sealed with a special treatment to fill the pores.Budget-minded consumers will find that there are still many lovely countertop options available for them. Laminate countertops are the most inexpensive option, and they are the easiest to clean.

With all the money saved on materials, home owners shouldn't try to further stretch their dollar by installing kitchen countertops on their own, because it could result in even more costly mistakes. Home cooks must be careful with laminate countertops, however, because they can melt or scratch with direct use and will have to be replaced.

Whatever the budget, there are many beautiful countertops available online that will instantly update any kitchen. Granite and marble countertops are the most beautiful upscale options, but there are also manmade imitations that are very attractive and much less expensive. An updated kitchen adds great resale value to a home, and installing kitchen countertops is the best place to start.