10 Most Durable Countertops for Kitchens

Reviewed by Deane Biermeier

A durable countertop makes cooking more pleasurable and it enhances the value of the kitchen and home. Hot pans, spills, and scratches are just a few of the stresses applied to countertops every day, so durability is a major factor to consider when shopping for countertops. Read on to learn about the most durable countertops for your kitchen.

What Countertop Durability Is

Countertop durability is a collection of qualities that help a countertop remain functional and attractive for as long as possible, under normal conditions. Durability qualities include hardness, heat resistance, crack resistance, warp resistance, and stain resistance.

A countertop can be highly durable in one way but not durable in another way. For example, granite, one of the hardest materials for countertops, falls short in the category of crack resistance. Yet solid surface material, which is softer than granite, is virtually impossible to crack.

So, countertop durability is about striking the right balance of durability qualities that work for the space and your needs.

5 Durability Qualities to Look for in Countertops

• Hardness: Harder countertops are more resistant to chips, scratches, and gouges. Granite, tile, and quartz are among the hardest countertop materials.

• Heat resistance: Some countertop materials are better than others at resisting heat from pots and pans. Ceramic tile counters and stainless steel are virtually impervious to hot cookware.

• Crack resistance: Hardness does not necessarily equal crack resistance. Granite is hard, but it is prone to cracking. Laminate and solid surface will not crack under normal conditions.

• Warp resistance: Countertops that are less likely to become distorted or misshapen are more durable. Any countertop that incorporates wood—such as laminate or wood counters—may be subject to warping.

• Stain resistance: A countertop material that resists stains is more durable. Porosity is one factor. All materials are porous to some degree. However, less-porous countertops are less apt to absorb liquids and bacteria.

Tip

Countertops that remain durable with lower maintenance requirements are easier to care for and will last longer. Plus, the ability of a countertop material to be repaired or refinished is important to maintaining the material over the long term.

Quartz Countertops

Quartz is a synthetic countertop material made from natural quartz, other minerals, and binding resins. Quartz is resistant to scratches, stains, and heat, plus it's nonporous. This makes quartz one of the most durable countertops you can buy for your kitchen or bathroom. It's also important to note that quartz and quartzite are similar but not the same material (quartzite is more costly and needs resealing).

Cost

Quartz is one of the more expensive countertop materials, with prices ranging from $60 to $120 per square foot, including installation.

Pros

• Scratch resistant

• Stain resistant

• Nonporous

• Will not delaminate

Cons

• Expensive

• Typically requires professional installation

• Scratches and repairs need to be addressed professionally

Heat Resistant vs. Heatproof

Quartz countertops, and to a lesser extent, solid surface, are heat resistant but not heatproof. Both materials contain resins. When an extremely hot pan is placed on either surface, the counter may turn brown or yellow, a condition called resin burn. Technicians can often repair resin burn on countertops.

Solid Surface Countertops

Solid surface countertop material is a synthetic mixture of acrylic or polyester resins with natural minerals and pigments. Solid surface is easy to clean, stain resistant, and hard enough to resist ordinary scratching. Corian, Avonite, and Swanstone are representative brands of solid surface countertop material.

Cost

Solid surface usually costs less than quartz or granite countertops, at about $50 to $80 per square foot, installed.

Pros

• Cost-effective

• Available in a wide range of styles

• Easy to clean

• Crack resistant

• Scratches can be sanded out

Cons

• Not the most durable option

• Can melt, warp, or burn under high heat

Mohs Scale of Hardness

• Quartz: 7

• Porcelain tile: 7

• Granite: 6 to 7

• Concrete: 6 to 7

• Marble: 3

• Soapstone: 2 to 3

• Solid surface 2 to 3

10 is the hardest material (diamond) and 1 (talc) is the softest.

Granite Countertops

Formed deep in the earth, granite is an igneous rock that is later quarried and fabricated into one of the hardest and most durable materials for kitchen countertops. Granite countertops impart style and value to any home. Though countertop trends come and go, slab granite countertops maintain a high level of popularity and buyer acceptance.

Cost

One of the most expensive countertops, granite costs about $50 to $120 per square foot, installed.

Pros

• Hard and durable

• Generally heat resistant

• Won't absorb liquids or bacteria if treated with a sealer

Cons

• Requires sealing every one to three years

• Edges and corners can chip

Tile Countertops

Tile countertops can easily be installed by a do-it-yourselfer. It's also one of the few countertops that are truly heatproof, not just heat resistant. When you consider that tiles are fired at temperatures up to 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit, a hot pan from the stove will not be a problem for the tile.

Cost

One of the least expensive durable countertops, tile counters range from $20 to $40 per square foot installed.

Pros

• Durable

• Easy to clean

• Not easily scratched

• Glazed tile is almost 100 percent waterproof

Cons

• Seams and grout can be difficult to clean

• Tiles are prone to chipping and cracking

• Grout is not waterproof

Laminate Countertops

Laminate countertops are made by layering thin laminate material on top of a fiberboard base. Wrapped edges help avoid the distinctive black line common to laminate countertops of the past, plus they reduce edge-chipping. Laminate has seen a resurgence in recent years, with more homeowners attracted to tougher transparent wear layers and realistic imaging.

Cost

Laminate countertops are one of the most affordable options for durable countertops. Prices range from $20 to $60 per square foot installed.

Pros

• Impact resistant

• Nearly seamless

• Resistant to scratches

• Some layers are heat resistant up to 275 degrees Fahrenheit

Cons

• Delamination can occur

• Typically not compatible with under-mount sinks

Wood Countertops

Maple, acacia, white oak, and black walnut are just a few of the hardwoods that are used to make wood countertops. All species rank high on the Janka scale, a hardness rating system much like the Mohs scale of mineral hardness. Wood is a gorgeous, natural material for countertops—in fact, the only durable countertops that are sourced from organic, sustainable materials.

Cost

Wood countertops can cost as little as $15 per square foot, or up to as much as $150 per square foot, depending on the wood species you choose.

Pros

• Won't crack on impact

• Gentle on cookware

• Warm to the touch

• Coatings like tung oil and mineral oil protect the surface

Cons

• Moisture can cause wood rot and warping

• Need to be re-coated with oil twice a year

Concrete Countertops

Sleek and austere, concrete countertops are made from a mixture of cement, aggregate, and water. While simple concrete counters can be built by a DIYer, most concrete counters require professional fabrication and installation. Moderately durable, concrete countertops are not limited by the shape of the kitchens or cabinets: They can be custom-made to fit any kitchen.

Cost

With looks that resemble granite and quartz, concrete countertops are typically less expensive than granite or quartz. Prices of concrete counters in a kitchen range from $40 to $100 per square foot installed.

Pros

• Durable

• Heat resistant

• Customizable

• Modern appearance

Cons

• Can be susceptible to scratching and staining

• Requires frequent topical sealer application

Stainless Steel Countertops

Long used in professional kitchens, stainless steel is a metal that is resistant to stains and scratches. It is completely heatproof. Nonporous and easy to clean, stainless steel countertops usually need to be professionally installed.

Cost

With installation costs ranging from $55 to $120 per square foot, stainless steel is one of the more expensive countertop options.

Pros

• Scratch resistant

• Stain resistant

• Nonporous

• Crack proof

• Easy to clean

Cons

• Can dent easily

• Will show fingerprints

Marble Countertops

Like granite, marble is a natural stone created within the earth by high heat and pressure. Unlike granite, marble is a limestone. So, while marble is relatively durable and resistant to heat, it is prone to scratching and staining.

Cost

Marble countertops are typically more expensive than other materials but in line with granite and quartz, with prices ranging from $50 to $100 per square foot installed.

Pros

• Heat resistant

• Adds a luxurious appearance

• Wide range of color and pattern options

Cons

• Prone to scratching and staining

• Must be sealed frequently

• Easily chips or cracks

Soapstone Countertops

Soapstone countertops are valued for their tactile qualities, often described as soft or velvety. Soapstone, a metamorphic rock, contains a high percentage of talcum, the material used to make baby powder. Chemically inert, soapstone has long been used for countertops in science laboratories. It's also notable among durable countertops for being heatproof and scorchproof.

Cost

Soapstone countertops are as expensive as granite or quartz countertops: around $75 to $120 per square foot installed.

Pros

• Heat resistant

• Not susceptible to cracking

• Treating repels acidic liquids

• Soft to the touch

• Can be sanded smooth

Cons

• Scratches easily

• Color-matching can be challenging

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best countertop for your money?

Ceramic, porcelain, or stone tiles tend to be the best countertop materials for your money since they can be self-installed, which saves on labor costs.

What is more durable: granite or quartz?

Overall, quartz countertops are more durable than granite countertops because binders in the engineered stone control cracking and scratching.

What is the least maintenance countertop material?

Laminate is smooth and mostly seamless, which makes it one of the countertop materials that requires the least amount of maintenance.

Read the original article on The Spruce.