Tuesday, August 18th, 2009...7:05 pm

Comparing Countertop Material

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What should you use for your kitchen countertops?

Here is a comparison of the most used material available on the market to help you make a wise choice:

GLASS COUNTERTOPS (ThinkGlass)

  • Maintenance Free: YES
  • Requires Sealing: NO
  • Mold/Mildew Resistant: YES
  • Scratch Resistant: YES and if there are little scratches, they will not show on textured glass
  • Heat Resistant: YES
  • Chemicals Resistant: YES
  • Manufacturer’s Warranty: Limited
  • Ease of Installation: **
  • Recyclable: YES
  • Cost: $$-$$$

RECYCLED GLASS COUNTERTOPS (Vettrazzo, Icestone)

  • Maintenance Free: NO
  • Requires Sealing: YES
  • Mold/Mildew Resistant: YES, if well sealed
  • Scratch Resistant: YES
  • Heat Resistant: YES, but sealer might not
  • Chemicals Resistant: YES, but but sealer might not
  • Manufacturer’s Warranty: –
  • Ease of Installation: ***
  • Recyclable: part of it is recycled but might not be fully recyclable
  • Cost: $$

CONCRETE COUNTERTOPS

  • Maintenance Free: NO
  • Requires Sealing: YES
  • Mold/Mildew Resistant: NO
  • Scratch Resistant: Sealer could scratch
  • Heat Resistant: yes, but sealer might not
  • Chemicals Resistant: may damage sealing
  • Manufacturer’s Warranty: NO
  • Ease of Installation:***
  • Recyclable: YES
  • Cost: $$

GRANITE COUNTERTOPS

  • Maintenance Free:NO
  • Requires Sealing: YES
  • Mold/Mildew Resistant: Yes, if well sealed
  • Scratch Resistant: Hard, but can scratch
  • Heat Resistant: YES, but sealer might not
  • Chemicals Resistant: NO
  • Manufacturer’s Warranty: NO
  • Ease of Installation: ***
  • Recyclable: YES
  • Cost: $-$$-$$$

QUARTZ/ENGINEERED STONE COUNTERTOPS (Ceasar Stone, Silestone, Samsung)

  • Maintenance Free: YES
  • Requires Sealing: NO
  • Mold/Mildew Resistant: YES
  • Scratch Resistant: Hard but can scratch
  • Heat Resistant: Limited
  • Chemicals Resistant: Limited
  • Manufacturer’s Warranty: Limited
  • Ease of Installation: –
  • Recyclable: –
  • Cost: $$ -$$$

WOOD COUNTERTOPS (Spekva)

  • Maintenance Free: NO
  • Requires Sealing: YES
  • Mold/Mildew Resistant: NO
  • Scratch Resistant: NO
  • Heat Resistant: NO
  • Chemicals Resistant: NO
  • Manufacturer’s Warranty: NO
  • Ease of Installation: **
  • Recyclable: YES
  • Cost: $ -$$

STAINLESS/COPPER COUNTERTOPS

  • Maintenance Free: YES
  • Requires Sealing: NO
  • Mold/Mildew Resistant: YES
  • Scratch Resistant: NO
  • Heat Resistant: YES
  • Chemicals Resistant: NO
  • Manufacturer’s Warranty: –
  • Ease of Installation: ***
  • Recyclable: YES
  • Cost: $$

SOLID SURFACE COUNTERTOPS (Corian)

  • Maintenance Free: YES
  • Requires Sealing: NO
  • Mold/Mildew Resistant: YES
  • Scratch Resistant:NO
  • Heat Resistant:NO
  • Chemicals Resistant: NO
  • Manufacturer’s Warranty: YES
  • Ease of Installation: ***
  • Recyclable: NO
  • Cost: $

LAVA STONE COUNTERTOPS (pyrolave)

  • Maintenance Free: YES
  • Requires Sealing: NO
  • Mold/Mildew Resistant: YES
  • Scratch Resistant: YES
  • Heat Resistant: YES
  • Chemicals Resistant: YES
  • Manufacturer’s Warranty: –
  • Ease of Installation: –
  • Recyclable: –
  • Cost: $$$

PAPER COUNTERTOPS (Paperstone)

  • Maintenance Free: NO
  • Requires Sealing: YES (natural)
  • Mold/Mildew Resistant: –
  • Scratch Resistant: NO
  • Heat Resistant: No excessive heat
  • Chemicals Resistant: NO
  • Manufacturer’s Warranty: Limited
  • Ease of Installation: ***
  • Recyclable: YES
  • Cost: $

TILE COUNTERTOPS (Ceramic, Porcelain)

  • Maintenance Free: NO
  • Requires Sealing: YES
  • Mold/Mildew Resistant: Grout NO
  • Scratch Resistant: YEs
  • Heat Resistant: YES
  • Chemicals Resistant: YES
  • Manufacturer’s Warranty: –
  • Ease of Installation: **
  • Recyclable: NO
  • Cost: $

LAMINATE COUNTERTOPS (Arborite, Willsonart, Formica, Nevamar)

  • Maintenance Free: YES
  • Requires Sealing: NO
  • Mold/Mildew Resistant: YES
  • Scratch Resistant: NO
  • Heat Resistant: NO
  • Chemicals Resistant: NO
  • Manufacturer’s Warranty: –
  • Ease of Installation:**
  • Recyclable: NO
  • Cost: $
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9 Comments

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9 Comments

  • Sharon
    September 10th, 2009 at 9:22 am

    A friend recently told me that it was very challenging to get grease out of their glass tiles (on the wall vs a countertop). Any truth to this?

  • Nathalie Rivard
    September 10th, 2009 at 10:14 am

    Hi Sharon,

    Glass is the easiest material to clean. A little bit of water with any cleaner and the grease goes away. It is as easy to clean as any glass dishes you might have in your kitchen.

    ThinkGlass countertops and backsplash are made of 100% solid pieces of glass cut to the dimension you need. We do not sell glass tiles, which means there is no need to use grout, which sometimes could be a little difficult to clean. Could it be the challenge your friend might be talking about?

    Nathalie

  • Karen Mill
    September 15th, 2009 at 1:47 am

    Where can you see and buy glass counter tops in the 92264 area? Does anyone sell a portion of a slab, for smaller counters, like in a bathroom? Who fabricates the counter top?

  • Nathalie Rivard
    September 15th, 2009 at 9:22 am

    Hi Karen,

    Our countertops are available at our california dealers ( http://www.thinkglass.com/countertops/locate-a-dealer/#CA )
    Each countertop is custom, so they will be able to make it to your specifications.
    ThinkGlass makes the countertops. Please visit our Website for inspiration: http://www.thinkglass.com

  • Susan Reneau
    October 23rd, 2009 at 3:42 pm

    Nathalie? Who do I contact to tell you about our company? You wrote to us so I want to send information about us.

    Thanks.

    Susan Reneau

  • Nathalie Rivard
    October 23rd, 2009 at 4:03 pm

    Hi Susan,

    I just sent you my coordinates so you can send me the information.

  • Lenn Honolulu Floor Installer
    December 30th, 2009 at 10:55 am

    Hello I sumbled upon your webpage by chance, I was digging around the net for Honolulu Floor when I found your website, I must say your site is very cool I just love the content, its astounding! I don’t have the time at the moment to completely absorb your website but I have saved the location of it and also signed up for your RSS feeds. I will be back in a day or two. Thanks for a awesome website.

  • Nathalie Rivard
    January 7th, 2010 at 4:43 pm

    Thanks. ThinkGlass does make beautiful glass floors.

    Check on our Website for some photos of projects we’ve done: http://www.thinkglass.com/flooring/steps/stair-treads
    We have dealers in the US and Canada, contact us directly and we will be happy to give you all the information you need.

  • Duval Acker, ASID, CMKBD
    August 18th, 2010 at 1:39 pm

    This is a very useful comparison - thank you for summarizing the important points of each surface for me. I am amazed at the beauty of your glass countertops, and am surprised at some of the properties of the glass…

    Great blog! –Duval Acker

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