10 Most Durable Countertops for Kitchens (2024)

Home Improvement

Countertops

• 01 of 10

  Quartz Countertops

  

  Quartz is a synthetic countertop material made from natural quartz, other minerals, and binding resins. Quartz is resistant to scratches, stains, and heat, plus it's nonporous. This makes quartz one of the most durable countertops you can buy for your kitchen or bathroom. It's also important to note that quartz and quartzite are similar but not the same material (quartzite is more costly and needs resealing).

  Cost

  Quartz is one of the more expensive countertop materials, with prices ranging from $60 to $120 per square foot, including installation.

  Pros

  • Scratch resistant

  • Stain resistant

  • Nonporous

  • Will not delaminate

    See Also

    Top Countertop Trends for 2024: A Guide to The Most Desireable SurfacesGranite Is No Longer the Most Popular Kitchen Countertop — Here’s What Is

  Cons

  • Expensive

  • Typically requires professional installation

  • Scratches and repairs need to be addressed professionally

  Heat Resistant vs. Heatproof

  Quartz countertops, and to a lesser extent, solid surface, are heat resistant but not heatproof. Both materials contain resins. When an extremely hot pan is placed on either surface, the counter may turn brown or yellow, a condition called resin burn. Technicians can often repair resin burn on countertops.

• 02 of 10

  Solid Surface Countertops

  

  Solid surface countertop material is a synthetic mixture of acrylic or polyester resins with natural minerals and pigments. Solid surface is easy to clean, stain resistant, and hard enough to resist ordinary scratching. Corian, Avonite, and Swanstone are representative brands of solid surface countertop material.

  Cost

  Solid surface usually costs less than quartz or granite countertops, at about $50 to $80 per square foot, installed.

  Pros

  • Cost-effective

  • Available in a wide range of styles

  • Easy to clean

  • Crack resistant

  • Scratches can be sanded out

  Cons

  • Not the most durable option

  • Can melt, warp, or burn under high heat

  Mohs Scale of Hardness

  • Quartz: 7
  • Porcelain tile: 7
  • Granite: 6 to 7
  • Concrete: 6 to 7
  • Marble: 3
  • Soapstone: 2 to 3
  • Solid surface 2 to 3

  10 is the hardest material (diamond) and 1 (talc) is the softest.

• 03 of 10

  Granite Countertops

  

  Formed deep in the earth, granite is an igneous rock that is later quarried and fabricated into one of the hardest and most durable materials for kitchen countertops. Granite countertops impart style and value to any home. Though countertop trends come and go, slab granite countertops maintain a high level of popularity and buyer acceptance.

  Cost

  One of the most expensive countertops, granite costs about $50 to $120 per square foot, installed.

  Pros

  • Hard and durable

  • Generally heat resistant

  • Won't absorb liquids or bacteria if treated with a sealer

  Cons

  • Requires sealing every one to three years

  • Edges and corners can chip

• 04 of 10

  Tile Countertops

  

  Tile countertops can easily be installed by a do-it-yourselfer. It's also one of the few countertops that are truly heatproof, not just heat resistant. When you consider that tiles are fired at temperatures up to 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit, a hot pan from the stove will not be a problem for the tile.

  Cost

  One of the least expensive durable countertops, tile counters range from $20 to $40 per square foot installed.

  Pros

  • Durable

  • Easy to clean

  • Not easily scratched

  • Glazed tile is almost 100 percent waterproof

  Cons

  • Seams and grout can be difficult to clean

  • Tiles are prone to chipping and cracking

  • Grout is not waterproof

  Continue to 5 of 10 below

• 05 of 10

  Laminate Countertops

  

  Laminate countertops are made by layering thin laminate material on top of a fiberboard base. Wrapped edges help avoid the distinctive black line common to laminate countertops of the past, plus they reduce edge-chipping. Laminate has seen a resurgence in recent years, with more homeowners attracted to tougher transparent wear layers and realistic imaging.

  Cost

  Laminate countertops are one of the most affordable options for durable countertops. Prices range from $20 to $60 per square foot installed.

  Pros

  • Impact resistant

  • Nearly seamless

  • Resistant to scratches

  • Some layers are heat resistant up to 275 degrees Fahrenheit

  Cons

  • Delamination can occur

  • Typically not compatible with under-mount sinks

• 06 of 10

  Wood Countertops

  

  Maple, acacia, white oak, and black walnut are just a few of the hardwoods that are used to make wood countertops. All species rank high on the Janka scale, a hardness rating system much like the Mohs scale of mineral hardness. Wood is a gorgeous, natural material for countertops—in fact, the only durable countertops that are sourced from organic, sustainable materials.

  Cost

  Wood countertops can cost as little as $15 per square foot, or up to as much as $150 per square foot, depending on the wood species you choose.

  Pros

  • Won't crack on impact

  • Gentle on cookware

  • Warm to the touch

  • Coatings like tung oil and mineral oil protect the surface

  Cons

  • Moisture can cause wood rot and warping

  • Need to be re-coated with oil twice a year

• 07 of 10

  Concrete Countertops

  

  Sleek and austere, concrete countertops are made from a mixture of cement, aggregate, and water. While simple concrete counters can be built by a DIYer, most concrete counters require professional fabrication and installation. Moderately durable, concrete countertops are not limited by the shape of the kitchens or cabinets: They can be custom-made to fit any kitchen.

  Cost

  With looks that resemble granite and quartz, concrete countertops are typically less expensive than granite or quartz. Prices of concrete counters in a kitchen range from $40 to $100 per square foot installed.

  Pros

  • Durable

  • Heat resistant

  • Customizable

  • Modern appearance

  Cons

  • Can be susceptible to scratching and staining

  • Requires frequent topical sealer application

• 08 of 10

  Stainless Steel Countertops

  

  Long used in professional kitchens, stainless steel is a metal that is resistant to stains and scratches. It is completely heatproof. Nonporous and easy to clean, stainless steel countertops usually need to be professionally installed.

  Cost

  With installation costs ranging from $55 to $120 per square foot, stainless steel is one of the more expensive countertop options.

  Pros

  • Scratch resistant

  • Stain resistant

  • Nonporous

  • Crack proof

  • Easy to clean

  Cons

  • Can dent easily

  • Will show fingerprints

  Continue to 9 of 10 below

• 09 of 10

  Marble Countertops

  

  Like granite, marble is a natural stone created within the earth by high heat and pressure. Unlike granite, marble is a limestone. So, while marble is relatively durable and resistant to heat, it is prone to scratching and staining.

  Cost

  Marble countertops are typically more expensive than other materials but in line with granite and quartz, with prices ranging from $50 to $100 per square foot installed.

  Pros

  • Heat resistant

  • Adds a luxurious appearance

  • Wide range of color and pattern options

  Cons

  • Prone to scratching and staining

  • Must be sealed frequently

  • Easily chips or cracks

• 10 of 10

  Soapstone Countertops

  

  Soapstone countertops are valued for their tactile qualities, often described as soft or velvety. Soapstone, a metamorphic rock, contains a high percentage of talcum, the material used to make baby powder. Chemically inert, soapstone has long been used for countertops in science laboratories. It's also notable among durable countertops for being heatproof and scorchproof.

  Cost

  Soapstone countertops are as expensive as granite or quartz countertops: around $75 to $120 per square foot installed.

  Pros

  • Heat resistant

  • Not susceptible to cracking

  • Treating repels acidic liquids

  • Soft to the touch

  • Can be sanded smooth

  Cons

  • Scratches easily

  • Color-matching can be challenging