Which Kitchen Countertop Materials Are The Most Expensive?
Prepare your wallet when you consider these kitchen countertop materials. Complete your kitchen renovation with a luxurious kitchen countertop, even if it's on the expensive side.
Which Kitchen Countertop Is For You?
Are you looking to splurge a little for your next kitchen remodel? Considering an expensive kitchen countertop material can be a daunting task. However, with so many countertop materials to choose from, how do you know which one to pick? We get that, so we put together a list of what we believe to be the most expensive kitchen countertop materials available. To help you make a decision, we will also be listing a few pros and cons for each material as well.
Can You Rank Kitchen Countertops From Least To Most Expensive?
We want it to be easy for you to see the most expensive kitchen countertop materials from least to most expensive. All kitchen countertop materials come with different price ranges depending on a wide variety of factors. We took the top prices of each material to rank them for you. So lets get started.
Soapstone Kitchen Countertop
A fairly uncommon countertop material, soapstone countertops are one of the most durable countertops in this list. Soapstone is a natural stone and taken from a steatite stone. Soapstone is overlooked by many people but it is slowly becoming more relevant. High-end soapstone can cost as much as $120/square foot. Check out the pros and cons and see if a soapstone countertop is right for you.
Pros:
- Beautiful natural stone
- Don’t stain
- Easy to clean
- Incredibly durable
- Non-porous
Cons:
- Limited colour options
- Oily substances can darken the countertop surface
- Can scratch easily
- Texture can start to feel “Soap-like/leathery”
Maximum Price: $120/square foot.
Stainless Steel Kitchen Countertop
The stainless steel countertop brings you a sleek and modern kitchen appearance. On the high-end, stainless steel countertops can cost as much as $150/square foot. One of the more unique materials, stainless steel countertops bring a mix of pros and cons.
Pros:
- Resistant to heat
- Cleaning is easy
- Looks elegant
Cons:
- Easy to leave fingerprints
- Surface can scratch easily
- Can dent
- Counters are noisy
Maximum Price: $150/square foot.
Concrete Kitchen Countertops
There is something to be said about the rugged look of a concrete kitchen countertop. If you can deal with the maintenance and make a concrete kitchen work with your home, it can look stunning. Similarly to stainless steel countertops, on the high-end, concrete countertops can cost as much as $150/square foot. Here are the pros and cons of concrete countertops.
Pros:
- Can be cast into any shape
- Concrete is durable
- Cracks can be easily fixed
Cons:
- Concrete can crack
- Concrete can stain
Maximum Price: $150/square foot.
Recycled Glass Kitchen Countertop
Next we have recycled glass countertops. This is a material that has been appearing in more homes these past few years. As the name states it uses recycled glass in its material composition. The most expensive recycled glass materials cost up to $160/square foot. This results in a few pros and cons.
Pros:
- High durability
- Easy to clean
- Many styles, sizes and colours.
- Uses recycled glass
- Resistant to heat
Cons:
- Can fade if acidic substances are left on the surface
- Expensive to repair
Maximum Price: $160/square foot.
Quartz Kitchen Countertops
One of our favourite kitchen countertop materials is the engineered quartz countertops. Engineered stone comes from a combination of ground quartz and polyresin. You can’t go wrong with a set of quartz counters. The most expensive quartz countertops cost up to $200/square foot. Above all, there are many more advantages to a quartz countertop than there are disadvantages.
Pros:
- Huge array of colours
- Stain resistant
- Easy to clean
- Hydrophobic
- No need to reseal quartz
Cons:
- High heat can melt resin
Maximum Price: $200/square foot.
Quartzite Kitchen Countertop
Now we have quartzite, and unlike quartz, quartzite is a natural stone countertop. It is produced by mining out a large slab of the natural stone and then cutting the slab into custom pieces. The most expensive quartzite counters cost as much as $200/square foot. Here are some of the pros and cons of quartzite.
Pros:
- UV resistant
- Decent durability
- Easy to clean if sealed properly
Cons:
- Less custom designs
- Porous
- Surface needs to be resealed 2 times/year
Maximum Price: $200/square foot
Marble Kitchen Countertop
Now we have the marble countertop. When it comes to a marble countertop there are both cheap and expensive options. The price of high end marble can get incredibly expensive for a variety of reasons. Marble is a natural stone, but it is rather “soft”, which makes it is easy to cut and shape. The origin of the natural stone also determines the value. Marble, and any other material sourced from specific areas are in more demand and therefore more expensive. The maximum price of marble counters can cost as much as $250 or more per square foot.
Pros:
- Easy to shape and cut
- Good durability
- Many designs and patterns
Cons:
- Surface needs to be resealed often
- Porous surface allows for surface stains
- Harsh cleaning products can erode marble
Maximum Price: $250 or more per square foot.
Granite Kitchen Countertop
One of the most gorgeous but arguably one of the most expensive countertop materials, granite kitchen countertops have been a classic go-to for high end kitchen countertop materials. With a wide variety of granite shades, there is sure to be a granite countertop that will match your kitchen. The cost of a high-end granite countertop can cost upwards of $250/square foot.
Pros:
- Extremely durable
- Scratch resistant
- Heat resistant
- Stain resistant
Cons:
- Needs to be sealed
- Surface is porous
Maximum Price: $250/square foot.
Which Countertop Is Best For You?
When it comes to which countertop to choose, that choice is completely up to you and your circumstances. We aren’t here to tell you which one you NEED to purchase, we just hope this article helped you make a better decision towards which stone countertop to buy. Whether you’re looking for a kitchen renovation to sell your house or want to prepare your kitchen counter for the next 20 years, each person and their family has specific needs and here at Caviar Kitchen, we specialize in kitchen countertop installations. If you have any concerns or comments about this article please let us know. You can get in touch with us here and we would be more than happy to provide you with any further information to help get you started on getting your dream kitchen countertop.
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