6 Kitchen Countertop Options That Aren't Granite

Okay, I get it... granite is great.  It's rich, beautiful, natural, heat resistant and everything in between.  But there's a whole world of kitchen countertop options out there that it seems like everyone is too scared to explore.  So take a chance.  Be Different.  Go against the grain.  Live a little.  Human ingenuity has provided us with all sorts of awesome materials to put on top of our cabinets and drawers.  Here are six such materials - dive in.

1. Quartz

Quartz is low maintenance, virtually indestructibe, and unlike its natural stone counterparts it does not need to be sealed.  It's a non-porous surface which makes it easy to clean and hard for bacteria to grow on it.  Granite is a bit more heat resistant, but other than that there isn't a whole lot of downside to quartz.  It's price competitive with granite, looks as good, and can take more of a beating.

Cost - $60-$140/sqft

2. Tempered Glass

Glass counters can be back painted,  which means they come in whatever color you want. They can bring drama to a kitchen, or make it look modern and sleek.  They're also heat resistant and non-porous.

Cost - around $200/sqft

3. Laminate

Laminate has a reputation for being cheap and tacky here in the states, but in Europe laminate countertops are everywhere.  It's cheap, low maintenance, easy to install, easy to clean, and can mimic the look of granite.  So if your on a tight budget, don't rule out laminate.

Cost - $10-$60/sqft

4. Wood

Although wood can be finished and used in many ways, its most popular kitchen iteration is probably the butcher block style. It has a warm look and works great in traditional or cottage style kitchens. The obvious downside to wood is that it harbors bacteria and has to be sanitized often.

Cost - varies greatly depending on quality and species of wood $50-$200/sqft

5. Stainless Steel

Stainless steel countertops at our listing on Kansas Sreet in San Francisco

Stainless steel countertops have long been popular in commercial and industrial settings, but recently they have been gaining momentum in residential kitchens as well.  Stainless steel is antibacterial and non-porous, so it is extremely low maintenance.  Downsides are that it scratches and dents easily, is cold and uncomfortable to the touch, and it definitely does not fit into every design scheme.

Cost - $75-140/sqft

6. Tile

Tile comes in endless colors and designs, making it extremely flexible. A big plus to tile is that if a one or two get damaged it isn't that big of a deal to have them replaced. A major downside to tile is that the grout in between the tiles can get stained, and if not cleaned properly it will become a breeding ground for bacteria.

Cost - $10-$80/sqft

Sources:

"Goodbye, Granite"

"10 Reasons to Get Over the Granite Obsession Already"