DANIELLA JAEGER

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Notes on Kitchen and Bathroom Countertops

Daniella Jaeger

Quartz countertop (image source)

The variety of countertop materials and brands available will make your head spin, and the roundup of types below won’t necessarily stop the spinning. But you will start to understand what options are available and consider what your priorities are with respect to durability, affordability, and beauty.

When you purchase your countertop (shayish - שיש):

  • Talk to the supplier about how many pieces it will come in. The more pieces it comes in, the more seams you’ll see (and potentially need to maintain).

  • Ensure you are purchasing the material and brand you are seeking and not a knockoff; check for seals and certificates.

  • Ask whether your warranty is dependent on using an installer certified by the company.

Note that I’ve borrowed text liberally from the sources listed at the end of this post.

Quartz countertop (image source)

Engineered Stone

Quartz

“Quartz countertops are engineered stone products that may contain a large percentage of natural quartz but may also include other minerals. They are not slabs of quarried stone but are instead formed from stone byproducts that are ground up and formed into slabs for countertops and other products.” (The Spruce)

Leading suppliers: Caesarstone (an Israeli company with 90% of the market share), Silestone (owned by Spanish company Cosentino and has antimicrobial properties)

Pros

  • Relatively easy to maintain, no sealing required

  • Slabs are uniform, with no imperfections

  • Can be custom-fabricated in any size and shape

  • Relatively scratch and stain resistant (with consistent cleaning — spills cannot be neglected)

  • Natural appearance, stone-like feel to the touch

Cons

  • Expensive

  • Countertops are very heavy

  • Can be stained if neglected

  • Can be warped by extreme temperature changes or contact with strong chemicals or detergents

  • Affected by UV rays over long periods

Quartz cleaning solutions Facebook users swear by: Astonish scrub, Cillit Bang spray, Sano Javel

The key is to treat stains immediately. Don’t leave anything on your countertop overnight or long term (coffee spill, turmeric, a pot you washed), though you can sometimes still clean these later with a lot of effort (and nerves).

Porcelain

Porcelain is heat and stain proof, but it also has a more synthetic feel. Those who want to be able to put hot pots directly on their countertops and not worry about stain cleanup should consider this option. Those who love the luxurious feel of stone may not be satisfied with porcelain.

Leading suppliers: Caesarstone, Laminam, Dekton, Infinity, Neolith

Pros

  • Extremely heat-resistant

  • Stain proof

  • Unaffected by UV rays

  • Can be installed on top of existing countertops

Cons

  • More expensive than quartz

  • Thinner than quartz

  • Fragile upon installation and can chip easily

  • Veining often less real-looking and texture feels more synthetic than stone-like

There is hot debate in Facebook groups about Dekton’s durability. Some say Dekton is the most durable and sophisticated option and won’t chip with normal use, while others say suppliers are wary of working with the product because of chipping potential. Dekton has a higher amount of glass in it than other porcelains, so it can more easily crack when hit hard or on its edges. However, designers say the durability has improved over the past five years.

Corian countertop with integrated sink (image source)

Synthetic

Solid-Surface Material (Corian)

Corian, by DuPont, is the leading synthetic countertop brand in Israel (imported). Its main advantage is that “pieces can be glued together with a solvent so that the seams are entirely invisible. This gives the appearance of a huge, continuous slab of unseamed countertop,” for example for creating a seamless countertop–sink integration. (The Spruce)

Pros

  • Resists staining

  • Seams are virtually invisible

  • Damage can be easily sanded out

  • Large range of colors and patterns

  • Integrated sink/countertop units are available

Cons

  • Moderately expensive

  • Can be scratched by metal

  • Prone to heat damage

Granite countertop (image source)

Natural Stone

Granite

“Granite is a purely natural stone that comes directly from stone quarries and is then cut into thin slabs, polished, and fabricated into countertops.” (The Spruce) “Its natural appearance has a medium- to course-grained texture and comes mostly in medium to dark colors with a polished surface. In Israel, granite is imported mainly from Italy and South America.” (Buy It in Israel)

Pros

  • Strong, durable, and heat-resistant

  • Least absorptive of the available countertops

  • Nearly maintenance-free when treated with newer sealers

  • Every slab is unique

Cons

  • Very expensive

  • Slabs may have imperfections/variations

  • Can crack if stressed or improperly installed

  • Stone is porous and requires sealing to avoid stains

Marble countertop (image source)

Marble

The crème de la crème of natural stone, only marble has the much-prized unique veining detail running through its full depth. But it’s a nightmare to maintain in the kitchen.

Pros

  • Beautiful stone with unique veining

  • Heatproof

Cons

  • Stone is porous and stains easily (even by water left on too long)

  • Requires annual sealing

  • Expensive

  • Can be scratched; repairs are difficult

Quartzite

“Quartzite is sandstone fused with sparkly quartz crystals using heat and pressure. Quartzite looks more like marble or granite with delicate veining and usually costs a little more” than quartz. (The Spruce) It’s often white and gray but can have colorful undertones.

Pros

  • Strong and durable (more than marble)

  • One-of-a-kind natural appearance; glassy look that resembles marble

Cons

  • Stone is porous and requires annual sealing to avoid stains

  • Avoid contact with extreme heat

For extra protection, choose a honed rather than polished finish.

Stainless steel countertop (image source)

Alternatives to Stone

Stainless Steel

Consider stainless steel for a modern, industrial look. This can work well in an office, where cooking and cutting are minimal.

Pros

  • Heat- and water-resistant

  • Easiest of all countertop materials to clean

Cons

  • Noisy

  • Very expensive to fabricate

  • Can be easily scratched; not a cutting surface

  • Material can leave fingerprints

Butcher block countertop (image source)

Wood/Butcher Block

Wood countertops come in a variety of colors and finishes and give a rustic look to the kitchen. However, they require a lot of maintenance and are not as durable as the more popular stone and synthetic alternatives. (Buy It in Israel)

Pros

  • Relatively easy to clean

  • Long-lasting when properly cared for

  • Can be sanded and resealed, as needed

Cons

  • Fairly expensive

  • Surfaces can be scratched and cut by knives

  • Can be damaged by water and stains over time

  • Bacteria can be a problem if not properly maintained

  • Wood is subject to cracking if not maintained; must be oiled and sealed frequently

Glass

“Similar technology [to engineered stone] is now being used in so-called glass countertops, which consist of particles of recycled glass blended with resins and shaped into countertop slabs. Consumers keen on being on the cutting edge may want to consider glass as well as quartz countertops.” (The Spruce)

Pros

  • Non-porous

  • Sanitary

  • Heat- and stain-resistant

Cons

  • Scratches easily

  • Expensive

  • Material can leave fingerprints and water spots (not practical for families)

Laminate

“Laminate counters … are plastic-coated synthetics with a smooth surface that's easy to clean. Countertops are made by bonding the laminate sheets to a particleboard (MDF) core. Laminate countertops can be purchased as pre-formed segments (called ‘post-form countertops’), or custom-fabricated to specifications, either on-site or in a fabrication shop.” (The Spruce).

Popular supplier: Formica

Pros

  • Very easy to maintain

  • Thousands of options available

  • Very inexpensive

Cons

  • Seams are always visible

  • May be viewed as too average by potential home buyers

  • Surfaces can be scratched and chipped; damage is almost impossible to repair

I read on a Facebook thread that someone had trouble finding a contractor to install a laminate countertop for fear of moisture damage. It’s a less popular option in Israel.

Concrete countertop (image source)

Concrete

“If you have countertops in unusual shapes, or if you want a truly unique kitchen, concrete may be a good choice for your countertops. Due to their heavy weight, concrete countertops are usually cast in forms right in your kitchen.” (The Spruce)

Pros

  • Can be color-tinted

  • Heat- and scratch-resistant

  • Decorative textures and colors are possible

Cons

  • Cracking may occur over time

  • Costs are high due to custom work

  • Surface is porous unless regularly sealed

Tile countertop (image source)

Ceramic Tile

“Ceramic tile is durable and easy to clean, and it is considerably less expensive than natural stone, quartz, or solid-surface countertops, especially for DIYers willing to do their own work. Recent innovations in porcelain tiles offer many more design options than ever before, including tiles that look like wood, marble, or even leather or cork. Ceramic and porcelain tiles offer more design options than nearly any other countertop material.” (The Spruce)

Pros

  • Easy to clean (grout aside)

  • Usually affordable

  • Immune to heat damage from hot pans (choice of tile dependent)

  • An enormous range of colors and styles available

Cons

  • Custom tiles can be very expensive

  • Tile are brittle and may crack under impact

  • Grout lines can stain and are difficult to clean

  • Edges require skilled installation for a clean look

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Sources

See this gallery in the original post