If you’ve noticed that it seems like every single food blogger has a kitchen with a white marble countertop, you are not alone. After years of the dark granite dominating kitchen design – and the demands of everyone who has ever come across HGTV’s House Hunters – there is a definite trend towards white countertops.
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While you may have uncomfortable memories of 90s kitchens with white laminate counters, the new look is anything but a step backwards. Instead, the light-colored countertops are used as a contrast to darker cabinets, making a kitchen cleaner, brighter, and similar to the industrial and Parisian cafe style that has been adopted by so many restaurants. If you are thinking of updating your kitchen accordingly, here is a quick guide to the current materials you can find in the market.
① White marble
Marble is the most luxurious option for white kitchen countertops, and accordingly costs between $ 50 and $ 250 per square foot. This material has the advantage of being naturally cool to the touch (great for bakers and people who live in hot climates), and it’s the whitest natural stone you can find. Although it is a hard surface, marble has one particular disadvantage: it is prone to acids. Lemon juice and vinegar can etch the surface; Coffee and wine can cause permanent stains. Since you are buying marble by the top, you need to consider what the differences in veining will be when installing it.
Pricing depends on the size of the slabs and the marble source. For example, authentic Italian marbles like Carrara, Calacatta, and Statuario fetch high prices because they’re both beautiful and a little more durable. Inexpensive marble from other regions (such as China) can be beautiful, but “softer” than Italian types.
② quartz
Most of the quartz countertops on the market are actually quartz materials, which is a mixture of the mineral with other materials added for strength. (This is often shown under the brand names Silestone and Caesarstone.) Quartz materials are durable, stain resistant, and often slightly cheaper than natural stone. Since it is an artificial mix of materials, you will find them in a larger selection of colors, surfaces, sizes and thicknesses compared to natural stone slabs. Prices vary depending on the option, but Silestone is valued at $ 50 to $ 100 per square foot. For a marble-look counter, try Silestone’s Calacatta Gold pattern or Caesarstone’s Statuario Maximus.
③ Quartzite
Although they sound similar, quartzite is very different from quartz. Quartzite is a natural material that is mined and supplied in slabs. It is as strong as granite and looks similar to marble. However, like marble, acidic foods and liquids can etch the material. Expect $ 40 to $ 95 per square foot, knowing that the price can vary based on style and size.
④ Solid surface
These types of countertops are made from acrylic and can be made to mimic materials from marble to stainless steel. Corian is one of the most popular brands for solid surface countertops. Counters made of this material are seamless and relatively strong, but prone to scratches. They are also not as heat-resistant as other materials. However, the solution is pretty simple: just use coasters and coasters. Prices vary by manufacturer and style, and averages between $ 50 and $ 120 per square foot.
⑤ Laminate
The most economical choice for white countertops is laminate, which is made by gluing foils onto plywood or chipboard. Laminate can come in virtually any color or pattern, including marble lookalikes like Wilsonart’s Calcutta Marble Laminate Countertop ($ 80.57 for a 48 by 96 inch sheet). Like hard-surfaced countertops, laminate should not come into contact with heat. Always keep these coasters close at hand.
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Brie Dyas is a contributing writer for Tasting Table and an avid collector of your grandmother’s fine china. You can occasionally find her @briedyas while sharing photos on Instagram.
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