Tile Countertops Have An Impact On Your Home's Value And It's Not What You'd Think

Kitchen countertops are a big selling point for potential homebuyers, and the material used for a countertop will directly impact how much the home is worth. Tile is now considered an old fashioned choice for countertops and is a feature that buyers are looking to avoid. In fact, Zillow found in its research that simply mentioning tile countertops in a house listing can decrease the value of a home by at least 1%. (Even Drew and Jonathan Scott can't stand tiled kitchen countertops!)

Using ceramic tile squares as a countertop material was popular starting in the early 1900s and throughout the century. But today, it makes a kitchen look outdated, which is a feature that could wreck the entire home's value. Tile is not as easy to maintain as a stone countertop. The grout lines of a tile countertop are likely to get dirty and daily cleaning becomes a regular requirement. Plus, ceramic tile is likely to crack on a countertop since the surface is used so often, ruining the visual and making it look old.

Big ticket items like countertops will impact the value of a home, so it is one of the fixtures that is worth splurging on. In this case, stone countertop is excellent for resale value. Not only will a heavy-duty stone countertop be easy to maintain, but it will also last a long time in the home by offering durability and a stylish visual.

When selling your home, it helps to be aware of the features and fixtures that buyers are looking for. Today's buyer will gravitate towards functional and attractive characteristics, including popular stone countertop formats, like quartz, marble, and granite, that deliver on homeowners' needs. In a 2022 House Digest survey, nearly 37% of people agreed that granite is the best kitchen countertop material. Quartz and marble ranked as second and third, respectively. According to the 2025 U.S. Kitchen Trends Study by Houzz, engineered quartz countertops are the top countertop material to be picked for kitchen renovation projects. Granite came in second place, with marble also being a contender.

Stone countertops add value to a home, as they have beautiful, luxurious visuals that vary in color and veining. A real piece of natural stone offers a unique, one-of-a-kind visual that makes a countertop feel exclusive and high-end. Countertops made of stone are incredibly strong and durable, are resistant against dents, and can hold the weight of appliances on top of them. It is also easy to keep a stone countertop looking new, as it is scratch resistant and doesn't require heavy cleaning.

Be sure to look into the different types of stone countertops to find the perfect size and visual for your space and lifestyle. And for those looking to update their countertop before putting their home on the market, stone countertops are easier to install than tile countertops. They typically come in a single slab format that does not require grouting, significantly cutting down the time needed for installation.