These Are The Top 3 Most Durable Kitchen Countertops

Kitchens are the center of activity in our homes, so we spend a lot of time there. As such, we want our kitchens to be beautiful and to reflect our personal style, but we also need them to be functional and to stand up to all the abuse our families dole out. It's no secret that our kitchen countertops bear the brunt of it, so it's critical that we invest in ones that are durable. 

When deciding which material to choose for your countertops, be sure to find the balance between form and function — and don't forget your budget, of course. Taking this advice into consideration, you can upgrade your countertops with confidence that you're getting a beautiful look that will stand the test of time. Let's talk about granite, quartz, and Dekton, which are three of the most durable materials to use for countertops.

Quartz is a great choice when it comes to durability in kitchen countertops. That's because quartz countertops are beautiful, and the average cost to install them runs about $4,500, though the cost per square foot can range anywhere from $50 to $200, depending on the exact style. One of the ways to add onto that cost is by ordering rounded edges, though this will greatly reduce the chance of your countertop chipping and is therefore highly recommended.

Once that's taken care of, maintaining and cleaning your quartz countertops is fairly easy. Always use trivets for hot items and cutting boards when using knives, but beyond that, all quartz requires is a non-abrasive cleaner. It's a non-porous surface, which means no sealing is required. It's a perfect blend between aesthetics and practicality. 

Granite is a natural stone which, when used for countertops, has a great reputation for being durable and heat-resistant, not to mention being able to hold its own against any blemishes that everyday kitchen activity can dish out. Meanwhile Dekton, pictured above, is what's called an engineered stone — specifically, a porcelain, glass, and quartz blend compressed tightly together into a hardy surface. Both of these options are highly durable and make for a beautiful-looking kitchen, but there are some downsides to them.

While regularly cleaning granite with mild soap and water is largely sufficient to keep it looking good, unlike quartz, it does require regular sealing because of its porousness. In point of fact, granite countertops should be resealed annually, which can run anywhere from $170 to $350 for each professional application, in addition to granite's installation cost of $70 per square foot, on average. This amounts to a slightly lower cost than quartz at the outset, but much higher maintenance costs down the line. It's possible to seal your countertops yourself, however, to save on those costs.

Dekton, on the other hand, is non-porous and requires no sealing. In fact, Dekton is fairly easy to maintain, and won't suffer any consequences from being treated with most of the cleaners you're already storing under the sink. That said, make sure you go the non-abrasive route, so you can avoid scratching your Dekton's finish. While the price range of a Dekton countertop is comparable to quartz and granite, it is subject to chipping, scratching, and breaking if not properly cared for.