6 Alternatives To Granite Countertops

If you are trying to decide on an attractive, affordable and sustainable material to use for the countertops of your home, you should know that there are more options than the commonly sought after granite countertops While granite is a commonly-chosen material for countertops in the bathrooms and kitchens of many homes today, there are times that having a granite countertop just won't fit the bill, literally.

While there's no doubt that granite offers elegance and durability, it comes at a steep price. Additionally, because of the mirror finish that's applied to most granite countertops, it's hard for granite to be subtle.

Here are six great alternatives to granite countertops, some of which will help keep your kitchen costs down.

1. Recycled Glass

Recycled glass countertops are eclectic as well as sustainable because they are made with recycled materials that come in a variety of colors. Glass shards are combined with concrete, then poured, smoothed, and polished into place. You can choose countertops made with blue glass, green glass, brown glass, clear glass, red glass, or a combination of colors for something eye-catching and unique.

2.Soapstone

Soapstone is a great choice for countertops because it’s non-porous, long-lasting and easy to clean. Soapstone is made with mineral talc and quartz that start out gray and darken to black over time. Soapstone countertops from the 1800s are still in great shape today, which makes soapstone very sustainable. As long as you care for your soapstone countertops with some occasional application of food-grade mineral oil, it will serve you well for years and years.

3.Paperstone

Paperstone is a countertop material made with recycled paper and resin. It is strong, waterproof, non-porous and stain resistant, making it a sustainable and durable choice. You can choose from a variety of colors, including black, various shades of brown, dark blue, dark green, dark gray, and more. Any countertop made with paperstone will have a soft, warm appearance that will be an asset to your kitchen.

4.Stainless Steel

Stainless steel has long been a popular choice for commercial kitchens, but more and more people are choosing stainless steel for their homes as well. Stainless steel countertops are very durable and will give your kitchen a professional upgrade. Most stainless steel is made from more than 50% recycled materials, and it is easily cleaned with a mixture of water mixed with baking soda or vinegar.

5.Engineered Quartz

Like a lot of other stone countertops, engineered quartz countertops are very non-porous and easy to clean. Because it is manmade, you can choose from a variety of colors and patterns for your countertops when you used engineered quartz, such as red, black, gray, green, and more. Engineered quartz is as tough as granite but doesn’t require periodic sealing. Engineered quartz countertops are non-toxic and non-allergenic, and often made with recycled materials. All that is required to clean these countertops is soap and water, and they will last many years.

6.Ceramic Tile

Ceramic tile countertops are a classic and attractive choice. Ceramic tile is heat resistant and stain resistant, and if a tile gets damaged you can easily replace that tile rather than replace your whole countertop. Just be vigilant about cleaning the grout in between the tiles so that it doesn’t stain and collect bacteria. Use bleach and scouring powder to keep grout clean, and keep the high-gloss finish of your tiles looking new and sparkling by not scrubbing too hard when you are cleaning the tiles.

No matter which material you choose for your countertops, keep durability and sustainability in mind as well as how the color of the countertops will complement the rest of your kitchen. This way, you will have beautiful countertops that will serve your kitchen needs for many years.