Kitchen Counter Materials

Counter culture

Once relegated to standard-issue, lackluster colors, new techniques and materials have made kitchen counter tops as varied and changeable as light fixtures, paint, or flooring. 

Plastic laminates, solid surface materials, and non-synthetic materials are all popular choices commonly available for use in kitchen design.  Each group has its advantages and disadvantages, but in the end the most important factors are the taste and priorities of the homeowner.

New American classic

Plastic laminate, easily the most popular kitchen counter material since the time of its invention through to the 1980s, is composed of layers of resin-coated paper pressed together and subjected to heat and pressure, Formica being the most famous example of this type. 

Plastic laminate counter tops come in a variety of textures, colors, and patterns and can even be created to the exact specifications of the buyer.  At corners, a dark line distinct from the color of the finish can show, a remnant of the many layers of resin underneath. Although inexpensive, easy to clean, and simple to install, plastic laminates can crack or warp with age or exposure to extreme heat.

Solid gold

Similar in appearance to the outer layer of plastic laminates, solid surface materials, such as Corian, Gibralter, and Avonite, have gained popularity in recent years.  Unlike laminates, this group of synthetic materials is composed of a single, thick layer.  Easy to clean and durable, these counter tops come in the same variety of colors as the less expensive laminates, but do not show dark lines at corners.  Although hardwearing, solid surface materials can be stained, scratched or burned.

Earth Day

Non-synthetic materials, materials derived from stone or clay, provide incomparable beauty and sophistication.  More expensive than synthetics, these natural, earthy materials imbue a kitchen space with a feel of luxury and worldliness.

Ceramic and porcelain

Versatile and artistic, ceramic or porcelain tile kitchen counter tops transform the room into a work of art.  Whether solid colored, painted by hand, or arranged in whimsical patterns, the radiant surface of the tile, coupled with its rich color, give a designer great freedom. 

Because the process of tiling is relatively uncomplicated and can be done in stages, tile counter tops make a good project for resourceful homeowners.  The surface they provide, however, is uneven.  The grout that holds together the counter top can stain, erode, or break off.

The new Stone Age

Marble, stone and granite kitchen counter tops function much like the more familiar ceramic tile, but use a thinner line of grout.  Although natural stone and marble tiles are attractive and luxurious, household items such as citric acid, vinegar, and alcohol can dull their finish. The natural beauty of earthen materials enhances even the most austere kitchen, but they require a great deal of maintenance.

Up and coming

Although less common than these mainstays, counter tops can also be created from poured concrete, stainless steel, intact slabs of stone, or wood.  More expensive and slightly experimental, these choices call to individuals with a taste for form over function.

More information on kitchen countertops