![\"Granite](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/countertop_choices-granite.jpg?resize=500%2C375&ssl=1\")
Photo by Chris Feser<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Granite<\/h2>\n
Granite is a natural stone, so it has variations. It is hard and lasts. It comes in various colors.
\nGranite is supposed to have the best resale value.<\/p>\n
Why not Granite?<\/h3>\n
The patterns and colors just don\u2019t appeal to me. It feels busy. Marble is beautiful.<\/p>\n Marble is even harder to maintain than granite. You have to really take care of it. Soapstone is extremely durable. It does not stain. It can handle heat. It comes in some beautiful natural shades of blueish and greenish grey. Soapstone Countertops softens over time. Scratches can be sanded out, but it does scratch and dent. The edges can be knocked off. Quartz looks natural, but is man-made. It looks good! It is uniform, with no variations. You know, I don’t remember. I did not love the samples I saw. Concrete comes in a lot of colors. They put the color directly into the concrete, so that if it scratches, it is still the same color. Or they stain or acid stain the surface. This looks really cool. Often they do both. Concrete has to be sealed regularly. It is porous and will stain or absorb odors. Tile comes in a lot of colors and patterns. I will never ever clean grout again as long as I live. Yes, they make countertops out of glass. It comes in nearly any color. It can be under-lit, which is super cool. Glass scratches. It breaks. It\u2019s glass. These are all basically kinds of plastic.<\/p>\n The look is uniform. Corian is stain-resistant. We put cultured marble in the bathrooms. It is in one of the bathrooms at the log cabin. I’ve had it in many bathrooms. It is easy to clean. Cultured marble is non-porous, extremely tough and resistant to stains, mildew and chips. If it ever scratches or even burns you can sand it out and polish it back to a dull shine. It works. I’ve done it. Ours was matte finish, so the missing gel finish where I sanded wasn’t noticeable.<\/p>\n Corian doesn\u2019t appeal to everyone. It may make a home more difficult to sell than if you had chosen granite. Wood Countertop looks warm. Sometimes it is made to look like furniture. Other times it has a rustic feel. Wood can be stained or painted any color in the world.<\/p>\n I used wood countertops in the log cabin.<\/p>\n I used wood for the surface of the bar in the log cabin. I stained it to match the cabinets and sealed it with polyurethane. It has stood up extremely well.<\/p>\n I used butcherblock when I built in the wine fridge.\u00a0 I oil the wood every once in a while and sand out stains or scratches with a little steel wool. And constantly tell people to use a REAL cutting board and don\u2019t cut on the counter.<\/p>\n You can sand scratches out of wood. You can refinish spots or the whole countertops.<\/p>\n Wood stains. If you have a butcherblock countertop, people will cut on it. If you have helpful guests, you have to watch them every second or they will do something to your butcherblock. It can be sanded out, but it\u2019s easier to not have to.<\/p>\n Stainless steel is the countertop material most often used in commercial kitchens for a reason. It is the cleanest and most sanitary material. It does not stain, melt or burn.<\/p>\n
\nGranite is porous. It can stain. It can absorb odors. It must be resealed every two years or so.
\nThe seams are noticeable.
\nGranite is brittle. It may chip or crack.<\/p>\n![\"Marble](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/countertop_choices-marble.jpg?resize=500%2C375&ssl=1\")
Marble<\/h2>\n
Why not Marble?<\/h3>\n
\nMarble is porous. It is damaged by acidic things, like citrus, tomatoes or vinegar. These are things I have often had on my counters.
\nMarble scratches more easily than granite.
\nIt has to be regularly sealed.<\/p>\nSoapstone<\/h2>\n
\nSoapstone is extremely dense. It is not porous.\u00a0 It does not absorb bacteria or germs.
\nIt is easy to clean.
\nSeams are barely noticeable if properly put together.<\/p>\nWhy not Soapstone?<\/h3>\n
\nSoapstone changes color over time. It should be oiled regularly.
\nThe natural colors it comes in do not appeal to me.<\/p>\n![\"Quartz](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/countertop_choices-quartz.jpg?resize=500%2C375&ssl=1\")
Photo by Stonetop Granite<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nQuartz<\/h2>\n
\nIf put together correctly, the seams won\u2019t show.
\nQuartz does not need to be resealed. It does not stain or absorb odors. It is easy to clean.
\nIt is very hard and does not break.<\/p>\nWhy not Quartz?<\/h3>\n
\nAs a material, this stuff is great! But I preferred the more matte finish of the Corian we selected.<\/p>\nConcrete<\/h2>\n
\nSometimes they put glass or stones into the concrete. That looks very cool.
\nWhen the counter is acid stained after it is put together, you can\u2019t really see the seams.
\nConcrete is very strong and durable.<\/p>\nWhy not Concrete?<\/h3>\n
\nConcrete is pretty tough, but the sealant discolors if exposed to heat.
\nConcrete is very heavy. It can be brittle and prone to cracking.
\nI just didn’t care for the samples I saw for our house.<\/p>\n![\"Black](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/countertop_choices-tile.jpg?resize=500%2C375&ssl=1\")
Photo by Stonetop Granite<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nTile<\/h2>\n
\nTile countertops and backsplashes are popular and I hate them. Tile chips and scratches. I hate grout.<\/p>\nWhy not Tile?<\/h3>\n
\nYes, I understand it can be put in without grout. I don\u2019t care. I don\u2019t want it.
\nI have had tile. And I am completely over it. No. Tile.<\/p>\nGlass<\/h2>\n
\nGlass is completely non-pourous. It is clean and durable.<\/p>\nWhy not Glass?<\/h3>\n
\nThis was simply not a consideration.<\/p>\n![\"Modern](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/countertop_choices-solid_surface.jpg?resize=500%2C375&ssl=1\")
Photo by Stonetop Granite<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nCorian, Cultured Marble or other Solid Surface<\/h2>\n
\nSeams don\u2019t show at all. The sink can be incorporated right into the counter, no lip or seam.
\nSuper easy to clean and easy to maintain.<\/p>\n![\"Cobalt](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/img_2621.jpg?resize=500%2C500&ssl=1\")
Corian<\/h3>\n
\nCorian is less brittle than stone. It does not chip or crack like natural stone. If it breaks, it can be glued back together.
\nIt doesn\u2019t scratch easily, but if it does buffing it out is pretty easy.
\nIt comes in a LOT of colors and patterns that appeal to me.
\nCorian is non-porous. It doesn\u2019t absorb anything. It doesn\u2019t have to be resealed.<\/p>\n![\"Cultured](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/countertop_choices-cultured.jpg?resize=500%2C314&ssl=1\")
Cultured Marble<\/h3>\n
Considerations if you choose Corian<\/h3>\n
\n(I\u2019m pretty sure my blue Corian really won\u2019t be to everyone\u2019s taste.)
\nCorian can be damaged by heat. It may scorch or melt. (So, don\u2019t be stupid.)<\/p>\n![\"Wood](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/countertop_choices-wood_bar.jpg?resize=500%2C375&ssl=1\")
Photo by Jessica Hickling<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nWood or Butcher Block<\/h2>\n
![\"Cherry](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/countertop_choices-butcherblock_counter.jpg?resize=500%2C375&ssl=1\")
Photo by Josh and Melanie Rosenthal<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n![\"Log](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/featured_image-kitchen.jpg?resize=500%2C263&ssl=1\")
![\"Butcher](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/IMG_9373.jpg?resize=500%2C500&ssl=1\")
See the rings where someone set something?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nWhy not Wood?<\/h3>\n
![\"Stainless](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/countertop_choices-stainless_steel.jpg?resize=500%2C375&ssl=1\")
Stainless Steel, Copper, Pewter, Zinc or other Metal<\/h2>\n
![\"Formica](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/countertop_choices-formica.jpg?resize=500%2C369&ssl=1\")
![\"Formica](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/countertop_choices-formica-2.jpg?resize=500%2C336&ssl=1\")