10 best materials for countertops

Review of the best according to the editorial board. On the selection criteria. This material is subjective and does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

The worktop in the kitchen is exposed to high stress. Dishes are moved along it, hot dishes are placed, cutlery is dropped on it, liquids are poured. To keep your work surface attractive, it is important to choose a worktop made from durable materials. No less important is the design of the slab and the possibility of seamless design. We present to you a rating of the best materials for countertops, which will help you see all the pros and cons of various options. The TOP-10 is based on the characteristics of the plates and user reviews.

Rating of the best materials for countertops

Nomination	a place	material	rating
Rating of the best materials for countertops	1	Natural stone	5.0
	2	Quartz stone	4.9
	3	Argillite	4.8
	4	Fake diamond	4.7
	5	Laminated chipboard	4.6
	6	Steel	4.5
	7	Wood	4.4
	8	Strained glass	4.3
	9	Ceramics	4.2
	10	Concrete	4.1

Natural stone

Rating: 5.0

Natural stone countertops are most often made from marble and granite. Less commonly used are gabbro, quartz or onyx. These are by far the most expensive materials in the ranking, but their looks are worth it. They produce stone countertops with dimensions up to 1.5×2.4 m.Only ready-made versions are sold in stores, since the sawing is carried out on professional equipment at the factory. The owners in the reviews like that scratches and chips are subject to restoration, and the total service life of the product is about 20 years. But if you want to purchase a work surface from such a material, you should think about a reliable base, since the stove will weigh 40-60 kg.

We put natural stone at the top of the rating because the table top made of this material is extremely beautiful. For example, Carrara white marble has dark and gray streaks, the lines of which are difficult to reproduce in other materials in the rating. Granite impresses with its monumentality due to small inclusions. It has a fine grain, so it is difficult to damage it mechanically.

Advantages

• tolerates heat well;
• service life up to 20 years with proper care;
• thickness 20-30 mm;
• good polishability;
• pleasant coolness from the table in the summer heat.

disadvantages

• you need to clean and rub in special compounds;
• quickly absorbs dirt into the pores;
• acids are able to penetrate deeply into the structure and leave stubborn traces on the surface;
• tabletop length no more than 2.4 m.

Quartz stone

Rating: 4.9

The second place in the rating is taken by a quartz stone. In nature, large pieces (slabs) are rarely found, from which you can create a solid tabletop, therefore, by such a material we mean quartz chips (90-93%), mixed with polyester resin and polymer additives. By mixing and pressing, a dense material is obtained with fewer pores than a natural mineral. This means that when wine or soy sauce is spilled, the liquid will not be absorbed deep into the structure of the countertop, but will remain on the surface. Users in the reviews like that such a countertop does not require special care. The surface can withstand temperatures up to 230-280 degrees and does not deteriorate.

Our experts placed the material in the rating due to its arbitrary shape. Thanks to the mixing of quartz stone with resins and polymers, the dimensions of the finished product are limited only by the dimensions of the mold. There are worktops up to 4.2 m in size, suitable for spacious kitchens. At the same time, only a rectangular plate will not be charming – you can make an oval, a circle or an L-shaped shape.

Advantages

• fewer pores than natural stone;
• not prone to cracking;
• high environmental friendliness;
• Easily remove spilled liquids without leaving stains;
• samples in the store exactly correspond to the future product (the production technology is the same).

disadvantages

• high price;
• cannot be restored if damaged;
• heavy weight requires a solid foundation.

Argillite

Rating: 4.7

The third position of the rating is given to the material called mudstone. It is a rock made from petrified clay and sand. Due to its increased hardness, the material is resistant to water. The dense structure is ensured by reliable crystallization of colloidal compounds. In the ground, the mineral is stored in the form of slabs and arrays. Customers love the variety of tabletop colors in reviews, which can be either black or light. Manufacturing technology is reduced to the application of a mineral component with a cross section of 2 mm on a plywood layer. Chipboard is used with a thickness of 16-18 mm. The result is a lightweight board with a mineral surface on the outside and a wooden core that is sealed from water. Some users in the reviews like the material for the lack of sharp contrasting lines inherent in other minerals.

We added the material to the rating due to the stone effect, but at a very affordable price. Small roughness imitates a plastered surface and looks unusual. The presence of a chipboard in the middle does not put stress on the table frame and contributes to a low cost.

Advantages

• attractive cost;
• not subject to soaking;
• refractory;
• sheet dimensions 2800×2000 mm;
• relatively light weight.

disadvantages

• not the most beautiful appearance;
• the strength of mudstone depends on the place where it was mined;
• poorly polished;
• pores promote deep penetration of liquids.

Fake diamond

Rating: 4.6

The fourth in our ranking is an artificial stone called acrylate. In it, the mineral component (crumb, battle) occupies 60%, and the rest is filled with acrylic resin and pigments. This technology will make it possible to sell artificial stone countertops at a more affordable price. Acrylate is applied to a plywood sheet to further reduce the cost of production. In this case, the front edge with a chamfer is made of a mineral base, a side is provided. From the outside, the worktop looks like natural stone. The leading manufacturers of this material are Monetlli, Staron, Corian, Hi-Macs. The length of the stove in the kitchen can be 2.4-2.6 m. The width is permissible from 40 to 80 cm. The thickness of the stone layer can be either 8 or 19 mm. Users in reviews like the surface of the material to the touch, which is more pleasant than granite or marble.

The advantage of artificial stone is that it has no seams. This allows for the production of complex worktops for kitchens in restaurants and cafes. Also, an artificial acrylate stone can have from 20 to 100 shades, for which the material was added to the rating. Pigmentation technology allows you to create a variety of textures like granite and other rocks.

Advantages

• attractive price;
• imitation of natural stone;
• a light weight;
• high maintainability;
• there are glossy, semi-glossy and matte options.

disadvantages

• prone to scratches;
• can not be washed with a brush with abrasive substances;
• spoils from hot dishes.

Laminated chipboard

Rating: 4.5

In the top five of the rating laminated chipboard. Among all the materials, this one is a real 'workhorse'. It is hardy, unpretentious in operation, lasts a long time and is cheaper than other options. The core is a chipboard, pressed and impregnated with glue. Outside, the surface is equipped with a plastic layer (laminate), which prevents moisture penetration into the wood. A printed decorative layer imitating solid wood or stone is sealed into the laminate. The edge is glued along the end. The top can be solid or colored. Slabs for kitchen worktops are produced with a length of 4.1 m and a section of 28 or 38 mm. The width of the table top can be 60-120 cm.

We put chipboard in the rating, because in this material it is very easy to make a slot for a sink or hob at home. This will require a jigsaw, hacksaw or grinder. The material does not crack during cutting and does not crumble. This helps in the field to eliminate inaccuracies made in the workshop when ordering cutout dimensions.

Advantages

• stone or wood design;
• attractive cost;
• can be washed with a sponge and rubbed with a brush;
• shockproof surface;
• a large selection of textures and colors.

disadvantages

• sometimes swollen from moisture accumulating in the corners;
• the edge gradually peels off;
• Chipboard without edges emits formaldehyde;
• dirt gets clogged in the crevices of the seams;
• suitable only for short-term contact with hot dishes.

Steel

Rating: 4.4

The sixth position in the ranking belongs to stainless steel worktops. This material does not rust, does not absorb water, does not burn. For the manufacture of a kitchen work surface, a chipboard or MDF sheet is used, on top of which a stainless steel is applied. Steel completely covers the wood from the ends, making it inaccessible to moisture. The wooden base serves as a stop that can withstand the loads from the processes (cutting, pounding, beating, etc.), since the steel section is 0.7-1.0 mm. In shape, tabletops made of such material can be angular, wall-mounted or central (island). There are options for ordering the surface together with the stainless steel sink, which will create a uniform style. The outer finish and structure of the metal sheet can be ribbed, waffle, polished or matte. The slab length reaches 3.7 m.

We ranked this material as the toughest. On stainless steel, you can put a hot frying pan, spill vinegar or wine, wash with chlorine. This metal is environmentally friendly and the surface will last 50 years. But the type of table with such material is a little specific, therefore it is suitable only for a modern interior in a kitchen such as 'Loft' or 'Hi-tech'.

Advantages

• arbitrary form;
• withstands high temperatures;
• easy to wash wine, beet juice;
• service life up to 50 years;
• not subject to corrosion.

disadvantages

• over time becomes covered with scratches;
• not suitable for all types of interior;
• prints are clearly visible;
• a specialized tool is needed to remove scratches.

Wood

Rating: 4.3

Seventh notch in the ranking for natural wood countertops. They come in two versions. The first is an MDF panel with a veneer layer on the outside. The thickness of natural wood is 3 mm. This gives a natural look and saves material costs. The second method is a type-setting tabletop made of natural wood bars. Here, the slab thickness varies from 18 to 30 mm. The surface is varnished. The material is pre-stained and primed. The owners in the reviews praise such tables for their natural warmth and beauty. The array is suitable for the 'Classic' style of kitchen decoration, 'Country' or 'Provence'. Natural wood exudes beneficial phytoncides. Tables made of such material last for 20 years, but the varnish is gradually erased and restoration is required.

In our opinion, the material deserves a place in the rating due to its high maintainability at home. Covering the surface with varnish is not difficult at all. If there are scratches or even chips from a strong impact, then the stores sell putties for different colors of wood, allowing you to repair the damage without visible traces.

Advantages

• easy to clean;
• milling the front edge in various ways;
• beautiful natural drawing;
• various colors with dark and light tones;
• no size limitation.

disadvantages

• poor resistance to scratches;
• with a strong impact, you can chip;
• damaged by food acids;
• poor protection against water.

Strained glass

Rating: 4.1

The eighth in our rating is tempered glass. All kinds of slabs are poured from the material, so the countertops are not only round or rectangular, but curved or wavy. In terms of thickness, there are options for 20-40 mm. The color of the glass depends on the added pigment during production, so the board can be of any shade and degree of transparency. You can even place a pattern or design under the glass, increasing the complexity of the decoration. Various underlay films imitate stone and other materials. The owners in the reviews like that the material is not afraid of high temperatures – you can put a hot pan on it without any problems. To take care of the table, it is enough to wipe it with a mild soapy solution and then rub it with a dry cloth. The table top does not change shape and tolerates falling of large objects well.

Tempered glass countertops have been added to the ranking due to the visual increase in volume. Items placed on them appear large. The glass surface actively reflects light, which has a beneficial effect on the entire kitchen. If there is a pattern under the material, then it gets a 3D effect, and such a table looks very expensive.

Advantages

• variety of surfaces in color and texture;
• the form is limited only by the imagination of the customer;
• not susceptible to mold and mildew;
• absolutely does not absorb moisture;
• well tolerates contact with hot objects.

disadvantages

• loud sounds from setting dishes and cutlery;
• cold material to the touch;
• it is difficult to choose the headset upholstery;
• there are handprints and stains;
• high price.

Ceramics

Rating: 4.0

The penultimate place in the ranking is occupied by ceramic countertops. They are made from a mixture of quartz sand, granite chips, and clay. To give the desired shade, pigments are added to it. The composition is subject to a press to form a plate. The material is then fed into hybrid ovens combining heating with a gas flame and electricity. Thanks to this, the sheet becomes denser and stronger. Then the plates are cut with diamond discs for a specific size. The same equipment is used to cut for the sink and hob. The worktop thickness ranges from 4 to 12.5 cm, and the length reaches 3.2 m. Laminam has even been able to develop the technology of designer printing on ceramics, which has expanded the possibilities for interior decoration in the kitchen. Other manufacturers add aluminum to the inside of the material to increase mechanical strength.

We ranked ceramics as the most glossy. The material lends itself well to polishing and sparkles like glass. There are certain types of countertops that resemble porcelain. This allows you to create an interesting finish of the work surface, which even goes well with dinner services and crockery.

Advantages

• natural composition without resins;
• tolerates heat and cold well;
• you can cut vegetables and fruits on the table;
• washes well with a damp cloth;
• resistant to mechanical damage.

disadvantages

• clogged dirt in the cracks;
• shape restriction – only rectangular options;
• in a large kitchen there will inevitably be panel joints;
• heavy weight puts stress on the base.

Concrete

Rating: 3.9

Concrete concludes our ranking of the best materials for worktops. The work surface is created from cement, sand and water. The mixture is thoroughly mixed until smooth and poured into molds. After hardening, the tabletop can be polished with machines, painted on the outside, cut out the necessary holes. Manufacturers add a thin polymer layer on top to protect the structure from food acids. Users in the reviews like that the material is not afraid of hot dishes. Of course, concrete can be damaged by a strong blow with a knife or other cutlery, but you can restore the beauty of the table at home. To do this, it is enough to rent a grinder and knead the repair mortar.

Our experts have included the material in the rating, since in its non-frozen form it opens up wide possibilities for the design of the countertop. At this stage, you can add glass battle, shells or stones to it. All this will decorate the stove and make it unlike the stock in stores. You can also make a countertop from concrete at home, which will help significantly save money.

Advantages

• not inferior to granite in strength;
• ecological cleanliness;
• moisture resistance;
• perfectly tolerates high temperatures;
• variety of forms.

disadvantages

• increased load on the base;
• chips occur from impacts with sharp objects;
• acids (lemon juice, etc.) are eaten into the structure;
• competent installation is needed so that the material does not crack.

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Attention! This rating is subjective and does not constitute an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.