Making the right decision on your new countertop is one of the most important aspects of a kitchen or bath remodel. Countertops need to be durable, beautiful, and economical. When deciding which countertop is right for you, consider the following:
Lifestyle — Are you a gourmet chef or an order-out pro?
Maintenance — Do you want a surface that will be stain proof?
Budget — Do you plan to live in the home, or is it an investment property?
Color and texture — Do you prefer shiny, glossy finishes or soft, natural matte textures?
Design Style — Would you consider your style more modern or traditional?
Will a natural stone or an engineered product be the best fit?
“Which countertop fits your lifestyle?”
Making the right decision on your new countertop is one of the most important aspects of a kitchen or bath remodel. Countertops need to be durable, beautiful, and economical. When deciding which countertop is right for you, consider the following:
Lifestyle — Are you a gourmet chef or an order-out pro?
Maintenance — Do you want a surface that will be stain proof?
Budget — Do you plan to live in the home, or is it an investment property?
Color and texture — Do you prefer shiny, glossy finishes or soft, natural matte textures?
Design Style — Would you consider your style more modern or traditional?
Will a natural stone or an engineered product be the best fit?
Natural Stone
Granite
Granite countertops are an excellent choice because they’re both durable and beautiful. Granite is a naturally sourced stone composed of different types of minerals, yielding a variety of colors and patterns. The surface can be polished, honed, or leathered to accentuate various design styles. Granite can be resistant to stains and will not absorb liquids when sealed properly. Granite is one of the most budget-friendly natural stone countertops on the market today.
Marble
Known for its timeless beauty, marble is a stunning natural countertop that can lend itself to both modern and traditional styles. While marble is heat resistant, it is not as durable as granite and is prone to chip, scratch, and stain. For this reason, marble is recommended for use in bathrooms, not kitchens.
Quartzite
If you love the look of marble but need something more durable, quartzite is an excellent alternative. While both marble and quartzite are metamorphic rocks with comparable veining patterns, quartzite is much more resilient. It is resistant to heat, stains, and scratches, making it an excellent choice for kitchen countertops. Quartzite’s colors and patterns rival those of most marble slabs and require very little maintenance.
Natural Stone
Granite
Granite countertops are an excellent choice because they’re both durable and beautiful. Granite is a naturally sourced stone composed of different types of minerals, yielding a variety of colors and patterns. The surface can be polished, honed, or leathered to accentuate various design styles. Granite can be resistant to stains and will not absorb liquids when sealed properly. Granite is one of the most budget-friendly natural stone countertops on the market today.
Marble
Known for its timeless beauty, marble is a stunning natural countertop that can lend itself to both modern and traditional styles. While marble is heat resistant, it is not as durable as granite and is prone to chip, scratch, and stain. For this reason, marble is recommended for use in bathrooms, not kitchens.
Quartzite
If you love the look of marble but need something more durable, quartzite is an excellent alternative. While both marble and quartzite are metamorphic rocks with comparable veining patterns, quartzite is much more resilient. It is resistant to heat, stains, and scratches, making it an excellent choice for kitchen countertops. Quartzite’s colors and patterns rival those of most marble slabs and require very little maintenance.
Quartz
Quartz countertops are a modern alternative to granite. Crushed quartz is combined with resin to make a dense, nonporous material for kitchen or bathroom countertops that has the look and feel of genuine quartz while providing greater functionality. An engineered stone quartz countertop requires less care and outperforms all natural stone materials in terms of heat, scratch, and stain resistance, as well as color consistency. Quartz countertops, unlike granite, do not require sealing and are resistant to bacteria and germs, making them perfect for busy kitchens and bathrooms.
Dalton Carpet One Floor & Home offers a wide range of countertop vendors to suit any budget— Caesarstone, Element Surfaces, and Best Cheer Stone, to name a few.
Quartz
Quartz countertops are a modern alternative to granite. Crushed quartz is combined with resin to make a dense, nonporous material for kitchen or bathroom countertops that has the look and feel of genuine quartz while providing greater functionality. An engineered stone quartz countertop requires less care and outperforms all natural stone materials in terms of heat, scratch, and stain resistance, as well as color consistency. Quartz countertops, unlike granite, do not require sealing and are resistant to bacteria and germs, making them perfect for busy kitchens and bathrooms.
Dalton Carpet One Floor & Home offers a wide range of countertop vendors to suit any budget— Caesarstone, Element Surfaces, and Best Cheer Stone, to name a few.
Finishes
Think of the finish as the countertop’s character. What personality will your countertop have?
Polished
The most common natural stone finish has traditionally been a polished finish. Polished finishes give countertops a glossy and reflective appearance, enhancing its natural colors and textures. This type of finish also seals the pores of the stone, keeping water and moisture from permeating the surface.
Honed
Honed finishes, often referred to as matte finishes, are one of the hottest trends in the design world today. Compared to a polished finish, honed surfaces have a softer, more organic, casual feel. Honed countertops also reflect light less abrasively, making them a popular choice among houses with bright indoor lighting.
Leathered
The leathered finish, also known as the brush finish, is created by taking a honed surface and running diamond-tipped brushes over it to create a dimpled texture. When compared to honed, the leathered finish will be more stain-resistant and will also hide water spots and fingerprints.
Finishes
Think of the finish as the countertop’s character. What personality will your countertop have?
Polished
The most common natural stone finish has traditionally been a polished finish. Polished finishes give countertops a glossy and reflective appearance, enhancing its natural colors and textures. This type of finish also seals the pores of the stone, keeping water and moisture from permeating the surface.
Honed
Honed finishes, often referred to as matte finishes, are one of the hottest trends in the design world today. Compared to a polished finish, honed surfaces have a softer, more organic, casual feel. Honed countertops also reflect light less abrasively, making them a popular choice among houses with bright indoor lighting.
Leathered
The leathered finish, also known as the brush finish, is created by taking a honed surface and running diamond-tipped brushes over it to create a dimpled texture. When compared to honed, the leathered finish will be more stain-resistant and will also hide water spots and fingerprints.
Edges
Not all countertop edges are created equal. From simple lines to intricate shapes, it’s all in the details.
Eased
An eased edge, also known as a straight edge, provides a simple, elegant look that complements almost any design style. The edges will be slightly rounded for safety, while the overall profile will maintain straight lines. The eased edge is ideal for those looking for a subtle edge that won’t draw attention away from other design elements, such as a decorative backsplash or a patterned countertop material.
Bevel
A bevel edge is created by cutting the top corner of the countertop at a 45-degree angle. This attractive countertop profile provides a touch of extra design flair, works well with both traditional and modern styles, and is reasonably priced. The degree of bevel can be adjusted to suit your needs. 1/4-inch, 1/2-inch, and 3/4-inch bevels are common.
Bullnose
The bullnose edge, also known as a rounded edge, is a timeless classic that works particularly well in bathrooms and in homes with small children. Portraying a soft profile rather than sharp edges, it creates a warmer, more inviting space, while adding to a child-safe home. Another big benefit of bullnose edges is that they are easier to clean than the more complicated edge treatments. The half bullnose is a popular alternative, with a curved top and a flat bottom.
Ogee
The Ogee edge is a timeless, graceful profile typically associated with more traditional design styles. The premium S-shape edge is almost solely used in natural stone and quartz countertops, making it a more exclusive, coveted choice. An ogee profile adds a level of design detail to both the countertop and the cabinetry to which it is applied.
Mitered
A mitered edge is formed when two slabs are cut at 45-degree angles and joined seamlessly to give the appearance of a thicker solid slab. Mitered countertops are often associated with modern or contemporary design styles. This edge is a great way to make your countertops the focal point of the space, instantly creating a luxurious and sophisticated feel.
Waterfall
The waterfall countertop is a type of mitered edge that extends from the countertop surface down to the floor. It does come at a price, with additional material and fabrication required. But, if you are looking for the ultimate high-end modern contemporary countertop design, look no further. If you have a countertop with dramatic veining, this is an ideal way to show it off.
Edges
Not all countertop edges are created equal. From simple lines to intricate shapes, it’s all in the details.
Eased
An eased edge, also known as a straight edge, provides a simple, elegant look that complements almost any design style. The edges will be slightly rounded for safety, while the overall profile will maintain straight lines. The eased edge is ideal for those looking for a subtle edge that won’t draw attention away from other design elements, such as a decorative backsplash or a patterned countertop material.
Bevel
A bevel edge is created by cutting the top corner of the countertop at a 45-degree angle. This attractive countertop profile provides a touch of extra design flair, works well with both traditional and modern styles, and is reasonably priced. The degree of bevel can be adjusted to suit your needs. 1/4-inch, 1/2-inch, and 3/4-inch bevels are common.
Bullnose
The bullnose edge, also known as a rounded edge, is a timeless classic that works particularly well in bathrooms and in homes with small children. Portraying a soft profile rather than sharp edges, it creates a warmer, more inviting space, while adding to a child-safe home. Another big benefit of bullnose edges is that they are easier to clean than the more complicated edge treatments. The half bullnose is a popular alternative, with a curved top and a flat bottom.
Ogee
The Ogee edge is a timeless, graceful profile typically associated with more traditional design styles. The premium S-shape edge is almost solely used in natural stone and quartz countertops, making it a more exclusive, coveted choice. An ogee profile adds a level of design detail to both the countertop and the cabinetry to which it is applied.
Mitered
A mitered edge is formed when two slabs are cut at 45-degree angles and joined seamlessly to give the appearance of a thicker solid slab. Mitered countertops are often associated with modern or contemporary design styles. This edge is a great way to make your countertops the focal point of the space, instantly creating a luxurious and sophisticated feel.
Waterfall
The waterfall countertop is a type of mitered edge that extends from the countertop surface down to the floor. It does come at a price, with additional material and fabrication required. But, if you are looking for the ultimate high-end modern contemporary countertop design, look no further. If you have a countertop with dramatic veining, this is an ideal way to show it off.
Sinks
Choosing the right sink for your needs, style, and budget is an essential part of any remodeling project. From sleek undermount workstations to vintage apron fronts, which type of sink suits your space and your personality best?
Let our designers create the perfect sink and countertop pairing for your next remodeling project. Browse our plumbing fixture product page, for more design inspiration.
Sinks
Choosing the right sink for your needs, style, and budget is an essential part of any remodeling project. From sleek undermount workstations to vintage apron fronts, which type of sink suits your space and your personality best?
Let our designers create the perfect sink and countertop pairing for your next remodeling project. Browse our plumbing fixture product page, for more design inspiration.
At Dalton Carpet One Floor & Home, we know how important it is for you to feel confident in your flooring selection. Therefore, we strive to ensure that the floor we’ve created together, is as beautiful as the one you envisioned. If not, we’ll replace it for free. That’s what we call The Beautiful Guarantee®.
