The best material for kitchen countertop

Kitchen countertops - the most common topic we discuss in the ArtGranit showroom with clients, partners, designers and architects. The countertop is one of the main elements of kitchen furniture and must be chosen very carefully, taking into account several considerations, not only the aesthetic aspect, but also the practical one. In this article we present everything you need to know about kitchen countertops, comparisons between materials available on the market (chipboard, acrylic) and materials recommended by ArtGranit (quartz, ceramic, granite). In the end, you will have all the necessary elements to make the best decision.

Chipboard/Acrylic kitchen countertops
Chipboard or Acrylic countertops are the most affordable countertops. If the countertop is not planned for a long period of time, then this is the ideal option. Affordable and relatively practical material, acrylic is available in a color palette that mimics natural stone. Among the advantages of this material are the resistance to impact and mechanical shocks and the lack of micropores. During operation, acryl also has disadvantages: it is very sensitive to high temperatures. If you put a hot pan or a saucepan that has just been removed from the heat on the counter, then a trace will remain on the surface. Another disadvantage of the acrylic countertop are the joints, but also the aluminum profile between them. This can cause a lot of inconvenience to the owner. Not only can we not get the continuity of the veins, but usually the dirt accumulates in the joints, which is difficult to remove with a cloth. The plinth, in our opinion, is not as comfortable and compact as that of a stone countertop. It is not very convenient to wash such a plinth, the silicone base, which is glued to the countertop and the wall, has an uneven profile shape, which complicates the maintenance of the work area, dirt and grease accumulate on the profile, which is difficult to be removed with a cloth. If the base of the countertop is moisture-resistant acryl - this is definitely a plus, but on prolonged exposure to water, the tile will swell, this happens at the joints, chips or near the sink cutout, if the cutout was not well covered with silicone. Also, the edges of the countertop can chip over time, because the plastic, although durable, is thin and therefore fragile. The acrylic kitchen countertop is limited by the choice of profiles - the shape of the edges and thicknesses. It is not allowed to cut bread and other food on an acrylic countertop, as it scratches very easily and can leave a knife mark on it. Scratches can only be removed by sanding. Some chemicals can cause stains and surface degradation (acetone, strong acids, solvents, etc.).

The given problems are inevitable. What solution does ArtGranit come with?
3 materials, which we recommend, promote and we are confident that with them you will get an extraordinary work. Where do we recommend granite, quartz and ceramic? For those who want a countertop that perfectly mimics the natural raw material, we recommend ceramics. We recommend quartz for both classic and modern kitchens, both with and without thickening, in kitchens where we need uniform colors. Granite has its charm and when it comes to a beautiful countertop, our recommendation goes to it.
Quartz kitchen countertops
Quartz is one of the most popular materials for making kitchen countertops. Beyond the satisfaction of choosing a very durable material, quartz also has many obvious benefits. Quartz countertops are waterproof, comfortable, functional, resistent, durable, look ideal and blend harmoniously with any interior. Quartz fully possesses all the important properties for a kitchen countertop. You should not be afraid to leave a coffee or wine stain on it, you will easily remove it because the quarts countertop does not absorb any moisture, thanks to its non-porous structure. Moreover, it does not react with any food acids and cleaning  products. You can forget of dirt and microbes. Grease will never enter into the countertop’s structure, and the dirt may be easily cleaned with a washcloth, warm water and soap. One of the valuable characteristics of the quarts countertops is its practicality and resistance to mechanical tear and wear and scratches.  The quartz surfaces are not susceptible to short-term high temperatures. Do not change their form and do not lose their color due to differences in temperatures. They can withstand temperatures of up to 130 degrees. The rich color palette will please anyone.  It will not be difficult to choose the color which will match perfectly with the overall concept of the interior. Specifically, the color palette of the Technistone and Silestone quartz stone is represented by collections which inspire the creation of a new and unique appearance of the room. Quartz offers any shape of the countertop, any thickness, a wide range of colors, the ability to integrate the sink in the color of the countertop, the apron can also be in the color of the countertop, flowing smoothly on the wall. With a quartz countertop, you don't have to worry about the appearance and condition of its surface. It will always look like new.

Ceramics kitchen countertops (DEKTON)
From the point of view of general features, such as versatility, style, color range, maintenance, cleaning and repair possibilities, we have a certainty: the only durable solution is Dekton ceramics. We detail below the reasons.
- It has practically zero porosity, the lack of micro-defects and the resin in the composition ranks it in the top of the most hygienic kitchen countertops.
- Extremely resistant to ultraviolet radiation, its color will not fade or degrade over time. Due to the high resistance to fire and heat, hot dishes can be placed directly on the surface of the countertop without worrying about damage.
- It does not stain with any substance in the kitchen, does not require maintenance and does not deteriorate - it will look the same in 20 years.
- It offers almost unlimited possibilities in terms of design, with dozens of colors available. The lightest countertop will not load furniture and is very flexible in terms of dimensions (maximum tile 320cm x 144cm), thickness (between 4 and 30 mm).

Granite kitchen countertops
A granite countertop means authenticity and quality. In addition to its extraordinary beauty, these countertops are an ideal solution due to their resistance over time and durability, have a low degree of expansion and compression, do not change their structure and volume due to the action of water, and the texture of granite does not it cannot be compared with any other material. The product is a spectacular combination of colors and patterns that, along with other qualities, make granite one of the most popular materials for countertops.
Benefits:
- each granite slab used to make countertops is unique, an unrepeatable product of nature;
- available in a wide range of sizes, colors and patterns;
- resistant to heavy traffic and intensive use;
- almost impossible to scratch;
- unaffected by hot objects left on the surface;
- superior antibacterial properties;
- prevents the appearance of stains and cleans them more easily.
Under the influence of substances familiar to any kitchen (lemon, coffee, fruit juices, etc.), granite may lose its original shine and some stains will appear on the surface. To avoid this, it is necessary to take proper care of stone products - to clean them and protect them with special compounds. Waterproofing is an essential operation for granite countertops, which are porous surfaces, so prone to stains. Contrary to popular belief, granite is not easily stained, so some models of granite do not even require waterproofing. It stains when it is not processed properly, when the waterproofing process was not applied after installation, when you did not repeat it when needed or when too much stain was left on it. But this is not a problem again, because granite is a natural material, it can be polished, it can be chemically processed to remove stains and it can get its original aesthetic appearance.

If you are looking for models of stone countertops for the kitchen, we offer a wide range of products from which you can choose, depending on the particularities required and of course, depending on the design you want. A stone countertop is a durable product that, with minimal maintenance, will serve faithfully for many years.