Comparing Different Countertop Materials
Are Butcher Block Countertops Right for You?
Compare Popular Countertop Materials on Important Attributes
Butcher Block Co. compared 13 popular countertop materials on a range of dimensions including aesthetics, resilience to damage, maintenance requirements and sustainability. The materials we chose for this comparison included butcher block of course, plus granite, marble, limestone, slate, soapstone, quartz, solid surface (e.g., Dupont’s Corian™), tile, concrete, recycled glass, stainless steel and laminate.
We rated all the countertop materials shown above on 8 different attributes. The maximum rating awarded on each attribute was 3 bullets. Certainly, we considered the beauty of each material, along with its variegation (i.e., how much its appearance varies). We also rated each material on its resistance to scratches, chips and dings; its need for little or low maintenance; and whether it's natural, sustainable and affordable.
Consider the Pros and Cons of Various Countertop Materials
Butcher Block Countertops
PROS: Natural beauty, variegation, sustainability, affordability, able to be cut upon directly
CONS: Not resistant to heat or stains (although can be sanded and renewed), require regular care and maintenance
Granite Countertops
PROS: Natural beauty, variegation, durability, low-maintenance
CONS: Expensive, not sustainable or environmentally friendly
Marble Countertops
PROS: Natural beauty, variegation, low-maintenance
CONS: Susceptible to scratches, chips, dings and stains; expensive, not sustainable or environmentally friendly
Limestone Countertops
PROS: Natural beauty, variegation, low-maintenance, affordable
CONS: Not resistant to stains, soft so can scratch and chip, requires occasional sealing
Slate and Soapstone Countertops
PROS: Natural, affordable, heat and stain-resistant
CONS: Low variegation, requires application of mineral oil, not sustainable or environmentally friendly
Quartz Countertops
PROS: Resistant to scratches, stains and heat; available in a wide range of colors
CONS: Artificial appearance, can scorch, neither sustainable or friendly to the environment
Solid Surface Countertops
PROS: Stain-resistant, low-maintenance
CONS: Synthetic, low resistance to heat
Tile Countertops
PROS: Affordability, heat and stain-resistant
CONS: Can chip and crack
Concrete Countertops
PROS: Durability; resistance to heat, stains and other damage
CONS: Expensive, not particularly environment-friendly
Recycled Glass Countertops
PROS: Beauty and variegation, heat resistance, low-maintenance
CONS: Susceptible to staining
Stainless Steel Countertops
PROS: Heat and stain resistance, sleek look
CONS: No variegation, can suffer dents and scratches
Laminate Countertops
PROS: Very affordable, require little maintenance, high color diversity
CONS: Not resistant to heat, staining or scratching; not natural
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