Homeowners looking for low maintenance countertops have many outstanding choices in all price ranges. Here is a list of the top 5 low maintenance countertop surface options along with the price range for each one.

Laminate

A laminate countertop surface has many advantages. It is affordable, comes in hundreds of colors and patterns and is very low-maintenance. The solid surface is nonporous, the key to easy cleaning. Laminate never needs sealing or refinishing. Due to the fairly low cost, they can be replaced without great expense. You’ll find laminate kitchen and bath countertops for $20-$50 per square foot from Wilsonart, Devmar, Formica and other brands.

Recycled Glass

This is a relatively new product. The kitchen or bath countertop is made from crushed glass embedded in clear resin – the same type of resin that is used to produce solid surface counters. The finished surface is smooth and completely nonporous. Cleanup is quick and easy. In addition, recycled glass countertops are very attractive, while being resistant to staining and heat. No sealing is needed. Look for recycled glass countertops in the $50-$125 range.

Solid Surface

There are a variety of solid surface types with Corian and Soapstone among the bestselling and highest-rated. A solid surface countertop offers worry-free upkeep and is quickly cleaned with soap and water. These low-maintenance resin countertop products are resistant to staining, and epoxy and acrylic resin countertops are heat and impact resistant too. If lightly scratched, since the pigment goes through the entire countertop, the scratch can be sanded out and the appearance restored. Most solid surface countertop products cost $75-$125 per square foot.

Stainless Steel

As a countertop material, stainless steel is as low-maintenance as it gets. No sealing or refinishing is ever required, and cleaning is easy with mild soap products. These countertops work very well in the kitchen or bath since they won’t be stained by food, juice, facial cleansers, etc. They are heat resistant to stand up to hot pots and pans or hot hair tools in the bathroom. Leading stainless steel counter brands include Specialty Stainless, Elkay, ALine, Aero, and John Boos. For a quality stainless steel countertop, expect to pay $75-$140 per square foot.

Quartz

Quartz makes a very attractive countertop for the bath or kitchen. The leading brands include Silestone, Hanstone, Compaq and Cesarstone. Quartz is an ideal material because it has the look and performance of stone such as granite or marble without the inherent weaknesses. It won’t stain and is non-porous. Therefore, it is low-maintenance and very easy to clean. Also called engineered stone, it makes a very durable, long-lasting bath or kitchen countertop. The price range for quartz countertops is $100-$185.

Which One is Right for You?

Take a look at countertop galleries online to compare the style and appearance of these different worry free materials. Which ones work with your design scheme?  And which low maintenance countertop surface options fit within your budget?  Those that do will be a good place to start your search for the right counters for your kitchen or bath. Also, check out our article on how to clean countertops for more information on overall maintenance.

March 13, 2023

Nobody wants to purchase a countertop that they have to spend hours maintaining each week.

 

Learn which countertop is the easiest to maintain with this general outline. We’ll walk you through everything you need to know before a major remodel.

 

1. The kitchen is one of the messiest rooms in the home, which means that you are already going to be doing a lot of cleaning.
2. Consider how much maintenance each type of countertop will require before you move forward with a major kitchen remodel.
3. Do you know how often a surface needs to be sealed or how quickly it will absorb stains?

 

1st position: Quartz

 

Quartz is one of the most appealing and most popular choices for a new kitchen countertop because of its durability.

The leading brands include Hanstone, Silestone, and Wilsonart.

 

Unlike granite, quartz doesn’t need to be sealed on a regular basis in order to prevent staining. The nonporous surface makes it an ideal choice for food preparation and maintenance.

You can clean these countertops with some warm and soapy water when necessary. For the most part, a microfiber cloth, some water and a bit of dish soap are all you need.

Quartz is an incredible material and easy to clean. The beauty of natural stone with the durability of a manufactured one.

For heavier stains, glass or surface cleaners will do the trick since quartz is non-porous and you don’t have to be as finicky with the pH as you would with granite.

That said, avoid very high or low pH substances for cleaning. While quartz is resistant to the elements, it’s not immune to turpentine.

 

 

2nd position: Solid Surface

Corian Solid Surface countertops are a wonderful in-between for laminate and stone countertops.

They are made from minerals and acrylic or polyester resin, giving them a nonporous surface that is easy to keep clean. They are heat resistant, seamless, and extremely durable without regular maintenance or upkeep.

 

 

3rd position: Laminate

Laminate is easily one of the most obvious choices for a durable countertop in addition to being an affordable option. The surface doesn’t require you to seal it or to avoid spills that could lead to staining. Be sure to dry it quite thoroughly, as water underneath laminate can cause the material to lift and curl, especially if accumulates in the seams.

 

A high-quality laminate can definitely mimic the look of a stone countertop, but it won’t be a true comparison when it comes to beauty.

When it comes to laminate, you want to avoid damage because it can be almost impossible to repair when it is sustained and the weakness in the countertop tends to spread.

 

 

4th position: Wood

Caribou Wood countertops bring the warmth and beauty of nature right into your kitchen.

These can be very durable counters when they are properly taken care of. A professional company can help you to apply the right sealer to keep stains and spills at bay.

Keep in mind that they will need to be refinished every few years. One of the main issues homeowners face with wooden countertops is that they are not heat-resistant. You will have to take extra care to place hot pads underneath items straight from the oven.

While wood countertops might be beautiful, they are definitely high maintenance.

 

Contact Floform today and request a Free In-Home Consultation to discuss which option is best for your home!

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