If you're looking forward to your new kitchen countertop installation, you've probably been thinking hard about which material to use. According to Houzz, a popular interior design site, the two most popular countertop materials are engineered quartz, which is used about 42% of the time, and granite, which is used about 24% of the time. However, these are not the only options you can select. Porcelain, travertine, and marble tiles are a few other potential materials.

With so many options available, you may wonder how you'll ever choose the right material for your new kitchen countertop. However, we're here to help! Read on to learn which factors you need to consider for your countertop.

Cost

The first step to honing in on the right countertop material is setting a budget. Sit down and figure out how much you want to spend on your new countertop. The price for this important kitchen centerpiece can range from just a few dollars per square foot to well over ten times that price. With such a wide range of materials available, setting a budget helps a professional figure out which type of materials they should show you, and what materials are simply out of your price range.

Durability

Consider how often you use your kitchen and what you use your kitchen countertops for. If you live alone and rarely cook, you will not need a material as durable as a home bakery's countertop. Marble is a beautiful natural stone, but it is far more likely to scratch or chip when compared to granite or quartz. Honestly assessing how often your kitchen is used will help you determine how durable your countertop should be.

Maintenance

Speaking of honesty, another element you need to honestly consider is how much maintenance you want to put into a new countertop. After kitchen countertop installation is completed, it is up to you to care for your countertop and help it to look its best. Some countertops are more high-maintenance than others.

Materials like granite need to be sealed to minimize stains and keep the countertops looking their best. Quartz countertops, however, need little maintenance. This makes them ideal for those who don't want to put a lot of time or effort into their countertop material.

Aesthetic

The countertop material you select for your kitchen can have a direct impact on the overall look and feel of your space. Quartz and marble help to create elegant and timeless looks. Always consider the aesthetic of your space and your desired look as you choose the right countertop to have installed in your kitchen. You'll want to make sure your countertop fits nicely with the overall design choices in your home.

Environmental Impact

The products you purchase can have an effect on the environment. If you are looking to select eco-friendly products, this may carry over to the countertop material you select for your kitchen. Always find out the environmental impact of any countertop material if you're trying to be conscious of the environment.

Try to see where and how the stone for your countertop is sourced. It may also put your mind at ease that stone countertops can be considered a more environmentally-friendly than other alternatives. Although mining stone does take energy, the result will last longer than synthetic counterparts. Such a long-lasting material can even be passed down through your family.

Unique Materials

The final factor to consider for your kitchen countertop installation is any unique properties of your chosen materials. Learning about each unique property may help you decide on a material if you find yourself torn between two different options. In fact, it may be the deciding factor in your search.

Consider the fact that you can place hot pans directly on granite without leaving scorch marks -- it can make cooking a breeze! Quartz is also known for being easy to clean. It's not hard to see why so many people choose stone materials for their countertops!

Once you've weighed each of these factors, you'll be able to make an educated decision about which countertop material is right for your kitchen. Once you've purchased the countertop, a kitchen countertop installation company can install it for you. If you need a countertop installed, our team can help you. Call or email Alpha Granite & Marble now to learn how to get started!