Today’s countertops not only function as a place to prepare meals, but they also serve as a showpiece. There are more expectations for your countertop than just being a safe surface for food preparation. They are expected to be durable, economical, and beautiful!

There are some crucial questions that you should ask yourself before you commit to your countertop material choice. The marketplace has endless options, so set yourself up for success by understanding your priorities and asking the right questions.

• How will you use your countertops?

An assessment of how you and your family will use your countertop is the most critical part of the decision of the countertop material. For example, if you have teenagers, especially teenage boys, they will likely be in the kitchen making something to eat in between meals. Something that can resist food stains would likely be important in this situation. It would also be important for a countertop choice to be able to withstand a variety of cooking and cleanup styles.

• How much maintenance can you handle?

Be realistic about how much effort you are willing to put into the care of your countertops since some materials require more consistent upkeep than others. Porous material like granite typically needs to be sealed once a year, and our allen + roth granite is treated with a proprietary stone sealant. This treatment makes allen + roth granite surfaces highly resistant to staining and low maintenance. Before you fall in love with a specific countertop material make sure you are willing to put in the effort required to keep it beautiful for years to come.

• What are your kitchen requirements?

You should always keep your budget at the front of your mind when doing a large project, to avoid overspending. By knowing the dimensions of your kitchen, it will help you to create estimates for each material type and compare them. A current trend in kitchens today is mixing material types in the kitchen. This can also help you to stay within your budget. For instance, if you may pair a wood island with granite or quartz in the rest of the kitchen.

• What is your budget?

When looking for the perfect countertop material for your home, it is important to know that there is a large range in pricing when it comes to different types of countertops. Keep in mind that homeowners typically only replace their countertops once in their lifetime, so it is smart to target your ideal material first. There will likely be a version of it that fits in your budget. You may end up spending more than originally planned (within reason) for the material you want, but with proper care and maintenance, you will have a beautiful top for many years to come.

• What materials speak to you?

Doing your research and figuring out why you are drawn to certain materials over others will help you to be confident in your final decision. It would be a shame to select a countertop based on beauty alone only to realize it isn’t the right match for you after it has been installed. 

In conclusion, treat your countertop decision like any big investment. Do your research, have a budget in mind, shop around, and make your final decision with confidence!