Kitchen remodeling is a large and important job for any homeowner. Kitchens attract the most traffic of any room in a home. With that in mind, it is a good idea to choose high quality components when outfitting your kitchen.

What is the best material to use for kitchen countertops? Rather than try to cover them all, this guide to kitchen countertops deals specifically with two materials. We will weigh the pros and cons of two different materials that have good reputations for countertop quality. Those materials are granite and richlite. Granite is a classic stone component. While Richlite, like paperstone and other such products, is a 20th century synthetic material made from pressed and baked paper fiber.

Granite: Pros and Cons
Granite is king of the hill in terms of kitchen countertops. When a homeowner doesn’t have to make any other considerations – like price – granite is the material of choice. Granite sets the bar for kitchen elegance, functionality, and beauty. The beauty of this age old stone enhances the beauty of even very modest kitchens. Granite is a countertop that will not depreciate in value. In fact, granite countertops are considered home improvements that increase the overall value of a home. Granite is sanitary, being resistant to bacterial contaminants. Granite is also earth-formed stone, created from heat and pressure, so it can handle hot pots and pans. Furthermore, granite is easy to clean with mild detergent and warm water. Granite comes in thousands of colors and is nearly as hard as diamond. Granite is so hard, that it will dull knives if you cut directly onto the stone.

On the other hand, granite is expensive. It is true, as granite becomes more widespread it comes down in price. Granite is a porous stone, so it requires some maintenance. Some types of granite absorb stains if they are not sealed periodically. For optimal stain resistance granite must be cleaned and sealed one or two times per year. If you seal granite before cleaning off a stain, that stain will become permanent. The good news is that newer sealants are very easy to apply, reducing the necessary maintenance time for granite. Because of granite’s hardness, it can crack if it is installed incorrectly or stressed. Because of its weight, granite requires additional labor and structural support to install. Often installation costs significantly more than the material itself. Granite is quite permanant, so if you get tired of the color, tough luck. Removing a granite countertop entails replacing the entire cabinetry. Granite is also naturally variable, with differences of appearance in each slab. If you want a totally uniform look thoughout the kitchen, granite may not supply that uniformity.

Richlite: Pros and Cons
Richlite is a representative brand of composite and recycled materials. Other name brands for paper composites are Paperstone, Shektastone, and EcoTop. Some manufacturers use glass and resin composites, like IceStone and EnviroGlas. The most common composites are made of wood pulp combined with resin, pressed into a slab, and baked into a rock hard solid. Richlite only uses woodpulp from managed forests, so it is eco friendly. Richlite does not need sealing, but rubbing it with an oiled sponge every so often eliminates signs of wear. Richlite ages very well. In that regard it has been compared to leather. It looks great when it’s new, it shows wear while it’s young, then it develops a smoothness and beauty as it ages.

Though Richlite ages very well, it is not scratch resistant. Composites like Richlite will will show wear, but develop a patina over time, achieving a warmth and smoothness that stone can not offer. This composite is heat resistant, but only up to 350 degrees, so taking a pot out of the oven and putting it on the composite countertop may leave a scorch mark. Some colors of Richlite may not be UV stable, so if your countertop area gets a lot of sun, check to see if the color you like will fade in the sunlight.

Of course there are far more than two options available for kitchen counters. The other materials include engineered quartz, kitchen glass, soapstone, laminate, ceramic tile, marble, slate, acrylic and copper. Each of these materials has its pros and cons. When choosing a countertop material, there are many factors to take into account, including price, appearance, and durability. By learning to assess the advantages and disadvantages of the various countertop materials, you can make an informed decision and choose the material that best suits your needs.