If you’re looking for high end countertops you’ve come to the right place!
You’re in the wrong place if you’re looking for laminate counters or some type of paint to cover up existing counters. Although those are two very good ideas for a budget remodel!
In today’s post I’ll be going over 5 high end countertops that are beautiful, stylish and in trend right now. As with any decision there are pros and cons to each type of countertop but have no fear! I’ll go over pretty much everything you should know about each type.
Quartz Countertop
Quartz countertops are kind of a new thing, a pretty cool new thing if you ask me and they’re really starting to catch on. Quartz countertops are referred to as an ‘engineered stone’ so they don’t have many of the inherit weaknesses that natural stone has.
Ready for all the amazing things about quartz countertops?
1) Same durability as concrete and granite but won’t chip as easily!
2) Quartz is non porous which means it resists staining better than other countertop options.
3) Another benefit of non porous counters like quartz is that it’s harder to harbor bacteria and viruses!
4) It’s engineered so there are limitless color combinations and options!! Say whatttttt!
The downside of Quartz Countertops?
1) They’re expensive.
2) Quartz countertops aren’t as heat resistant as granite or concrete .
Did you know you can order sample pieces of quartz from Home Depot? Here’s the link for the one in the picture above.
Granite Countertops
Granite countertops are rich and luxurious and can really kick a kitchen remodel up a notch. Granite is a naturally occurring stone so you won’t have as many options was quartz when it comes to color but there are over 25 different shades and hundreds of variations within those shades.
Ready for all the amazing things about granite countertops?
Granite, when sealed properly and maintained, is highly stain resistant and won’t harbor bacteria.
Granite countertops are scratch resistant.
They are heat resistant so they’re perfect for using with cooktops!
And when you have to set a hot pot down in a hurry, it can take the heat (for a short period) without being weakened or burned!
The downside of granite countertops?
1) Granite countertops must be maintained or they will absorb stains (and germs!)
2) The maintenance on granite countertops is almost yearly!
3) They can chip more easily than other types of countertops.
4) Lastly, just like quartz, they are expensive.
We did granite countertops in many houses…
Did you know you can order sample pieces of granite from Home Depot too!?! Here’s the link for the one in the picture above.Beige and Black Granite Sample
Wood (Butcherblock) Countertops
Wood countertops, like all the highend countertops I’m talking about, are absolutely beautiful. They give a kitchen a rustic look but work with all different design styles! We used butcher block countertops in our own fixer upper kitchen remodel and as a breakfast bar in one of our apartment remodels! Yup, we used wood countertops in an apartment rental!
Pros of Wood Countertops:
1) Wood countertops are becoming a green alternative as many more people are using reclaimed wood!
2) Wood countertops are actually warmer to the touch than granite and other countertop options.
3) Wood countertops are extremely customizable with all different types of woods available (like maple, cherry, oak, birch, teak, etc.)
4) They are even more versatile because you can stain them any color!
Cons of Wood Countertops?
1) Wood countertops are more susceptible to dents and scratches (wood is a softer material.)
2) These can be very expensive as well, especially if using reclaimed wood.
3) They need to be sealed or mineral oily applied to prevent water damage.
Where Can You Find Wood Countertops?
I highly recommend trying to find reclaimed wood countertops if you’re gonna go the route of butcher block countertops. If that’s not possible, we got lucky and found a butcherblock manufacturer nearby that sells leftovers and seconds to us regular folk. If that doesn’t work, you can always go to home depot and pick some up!
I haven’t found anywhere you can order samples of butcher block countertops (at least not at the time of this write up) but you can buy some pretty nice pieces of butcher block from home depot!
The above picture is of an unfinished birch butcher block countertop and is 1-1/2″ thick and 50″ long.
Here’s an unfinished butcher block countertop in birch and 98″ (8 feet!) long!
Here’s an unfinished ash block countertop in birch and 98″ (8 feet!) long!
Here’s an unfinished birch butcher block countertop made for an island at 39″ wide!
Soapstone Countertops
Soapstone countertops are absolutely beautiful and have a sleek yet soft look. Soapstone is very in right now because it’s only available in a sliding grey scale of colors from almost pure white to a deep charcoal grey. That’s because it’s a quarried stone and the only color mother nature makes it in! Soapstone is so unique because it has almost a smooth matte finish to it. It’s almost… silky.
Pros of Soapstone Countertops?
1) Soapstone is extremely non-porous so it never needs to be sealed!!
2) It’s non-porous nature also means it’s less likely to hold onto bacteria and viruses!
3) It doesn’t stain and it can also stand up to acidic materials!
4) It stands up to heat extremely well – hot pots and pans can be set on it without worries.
5) Soapstone countertops are the ‘warmest’ of the natural stones.
6) Incredibly low maintenance and scratches can be sanded out.
7) Soapstone counters are pliable and forgiving when it comes to cracking so they are less likely to break than granite.
Cons Soapstone Countertops?
1) They’re expensive.
2) They usually don’t come in pieces longer than 7 feet.
3) Even though it’s a natural stone it’s more easily scratched and nicked.
Big box stores like Home Depot and Lowes don’t sell soapstone. I’ve researched soapstone countertop companies and if you’re local to me here in Montgomery County Pennsylvania, check out the Bucks County Soapstone Company!! [Link here] If you aren’t local, then just type into google “local soapstone countertops” and you should be all set.
Concrete Countertops
How cool are concrete countertops? They are very industrial but somehow work into almost any design! Not to mention that with different staining techniques, finishing techniques and all the goodies that can be added to concrete you have endless options. We did DIY concrete countertops in the apartment remodel above our garage in both the kitchen and bathroom. I even gave staining the concrete a shot (it didn’t come out half bad if you ask me.)
Pros of Concrete Countertops:
1) It’s extremely durable and stands up to a lot of use.
2) It’s heat resistant – not as much as soapstone but it’s up there.
3) Pigment can be added to the concrete countertop mix to achieve any shade you could possibly want.
4) Staining can be done to the concrete to get ANY look. Think marble, wood and granite look a likes!
5) You can embed anything you want in the concrete! I’ve seen seashells, pennies and glass used.
Cons of Concrete Countertops?
1) Just like every single type of countertop in this post, it’s expensive, especially if you’re doing something elaborate.
2) They require almost as much maintenance as granite countertops, requiring re-sealing every 1-3 years.
Where Can You Find Concrete Countertops?
We did our concrete countertops ourselves which you can find links to below. But if you aren’t in the market to DIY concrete countertops then you’ll have to find an installer who does concrete countertops! If you’re in the Tri-State area New York, New Jersey and Delaware this company will spec and install concrete countertops. Even if you’re not local, they spec and ship nationwide!! (I have no affiliation with this company at all.)
Here are some of my previous posts I mentioned throughout the post above
Our DIY concrete countertop experience.
How to make a faux rock edge on a concrete countertop.
So there you have it. The highend countertops I’d recommend for anyone wanting to upgrade their kitchen with sophisticated, elegant and long lasting counters. Let me know what you think. Have you used any of these counters before in a remodel?
Subscribe!
Be sure to reach out on Instagram; Facebook; or Pinterest; and subscribe to this blog to be notified when new blog posts are up – who would want to miss those!?! (And if you’re a fellow blogger submit your website! I love finding new blogs to read, pin and share!!! It’s so hard to find a good quality blog nowadays, you know what I’m saying?)
[contact-form-7 id=”3255″ title=”Contact form 1″]
