In our last post, we took a look at the top kitchen countertop materials preferred by consumers: granite, quartz, solid surface, and butcher block. While these surfaces took the top four spots, there are a number of surface materials beloved by homeowners. Here's a look at some more fabulous countertop materials that rank high in popularity and are also perfect candidates for our Hidden Countertop Support Brackets.

Soapstone

The presence of talc in this stone is what gives it a soft, soapy feel and also its name. Unlike marble and granite, soapstone is non-porous, making it completely stain resistant. It can also handle hot pans straight from the stovetop and never needs sealing.

If you took a chemistry class back in high school you would have been working on a soapstone lab table because it’s extremely durable and impervious to virtually all chemicals.

Marble

While marble has a long standing reputation of being high maintenance in a kitchen, it is certainly having a moment interior design, and we're seeing it used more and more in kitchens lately. Sealing the marble helps prevent staining. However, etching occurs when acid reacts with calcium carbonate in the stone and literally eats away little bits of the surface, creating dull spots (etches are less noticeable on honed marble surfaces). You can be hyper-vigilant about keeping substances such as lemon juice and tomato sauce away from your marble countertops, or you can just not worry about it, and allow the etches fade into each other, becoming one with the stone and creating a lovely patina over time.

Concrete

Concrete countertops are extremely durable and can add visual texture and an industrial chic vibe to any space. Concrete is a very versatile material, offering the ability to create counters in a wide range of colors, finishes, sizes, and shapes you choose. They're practically indestructible; however, concrete is porous and stains easily. Sealing the surface helps with stains, but spills will still need to be wiped up immediately. 

Glass

Glass countertops are very durable and extremely heat resistant. They can be made from new or recycled materials and offer great design versatility because they are available in a large range of colors, textures, and shapes. Maintenance is a breeze because spills can be easily wiped off without any worry of staining.

 

Whatever countertop surface material you choose, you'll want to protect your investment with Countertop Support Brackets that are up to the task. You can depend on The Original Granite Bracket®, with our many years of experience in granite fabrication and kitchen design, to help you discover the right bracket for your project. Connect with us –we're here to help!