9 Low-Maintenance Countertops to Make Your Kitchen Shine
Find more time by cutting countertop cleaning and maintenance duties
We’ve all got things to do, so who wants to spend hours cleaning and maintaining their countertops? But don’t think you have to choose between low maintenance and high fashion. Nothing says low-maintenance kitchen countertops can’t still look great.
Here, we highlight the easiest countertops to maintain and the main reasons you should consider each for your home. We’ve added potential downsides and pricing information, too, so you can make an educated decision on the best low-maintenance countertops for your home.
1. Laminate Countertops
Laminate countertops exploded onto the home materials scene in the 1950s and ’60s, and they’re still one of the most common types of countertops in homes, apartments, and even commercial buildings and offices today.
Consisting of a thick piece of compressed wood covered with a thin slice of laminate (layers of kraft paper covered in a decorative print or colored layer and topped with a plastic coating layer), they can come in almost any color or pattern to complement any decor.
Cost of Laminate Counters
Laminate’s biggest selling point is its low cost. In fact, if you’re looking for kitchen countertop ideas on a budget, laminate should be at the top of your list. Affordably priced at about $20 to $50 per square foot (although some brands, types, colors, and patterns are more expensive), laminate counters are also easy enough to install that some homeowners DIY the installation to save even more money.
Who Are Laminate Countertops Best For?
Homeowners on a budget, people who are selling their homes and don’t have a big renovation budget, homeowners who like to change their countertops often, and people who want a low-maintenance counter option that comes in a wide variety of colors and patterns should give laminate a second look.
Pros and Cons of Laminate Countertops
If cost is a factor for you but you still want low-maintenance, visually attractive countertops, you’ll see that laminate can be a good choice. There are some downsides, though, and many are related to the lower-quality construction of many low-cost types of laminate counters.
Pros:
Very low maintenance—never needs sealing or refinishing
Hundreds of color and pattern options; can look like stone, wood, or other finishes
Inexpensive compared to other types
Nonporous and doesn’t absorb stains or liquid
Easy to clean with household cleaners, soap, and water
More expensive, higher-quality laminate brands are scuff and scratch resistant and last longer than less expensive laminates
Cons:
Not heat resistant—can burn
Can scratch
May delaminate over time and with harsh treatment
Repairs are hard or impossible
Cannot be resurfaced
Shorter life span than hardier countertop materials like stone, metal, and concrete
Won’t add value to homes
2. Solid Surface Countertops
If you’ve heard of Corian®, you’ve heard of solid surface countertops. Solid surface counters started as a trend, but homeowners fell in love with their affordability, durability, and ease of maintenance. These countertops consist of a combination of minerals and resins, so they feel more solid than laminates and look more like real stone (without the high price or porous surface).
Cost of Solid Surface Counters
Solid surface counters are a solid middle-of-the-road countertop option at approximately $75 to $125 per square foot, installed. This means you can install them on a budget and still have nice, durable, and reliable countertops. But if you’re trying to upgrade the value of your home, know that while they won’t hurt your sale price, they probably won’t help, either.
Who Are Solid Surface Counters Best For?
Families, owners of rental units, homeowners on a budget, and people who want low-maintenance and decent-quality countertops will be happy with the value and look of solid surface countertops. While they do require more careful handling than natural stone, they also won’t stain or etch like real stone; however, you can easily sand them to remove surface scratches.
Pros and Cons of Solid Surface Countertops
When you compare price to quality and all of the other upsides, there are a lot of pros and a few cons to solid surface counters for kitchens and bathrooms. Here’s what to consider:
Pros:
Very low maintenance and easy to clean
Relatively affordable to buy and install
Require no sealing or upkeep other than regular cleaning with soap and water
Almost completely nonporous, so they’re exceptionally stain resistant
Some are very resistant to heat and impact (especially those made with epoxy- and acrylic-based resin)
Stand up to hard wear and a lot of use
Can look like stone from a distance
Solid from top to bottom for a sturdier surface
Scratches, dings, and surface blemishes are easy to sand down with an orbital sander or fine-grain sandpaper for a fresh finish
Cons:
Resins are softer than stone—always use cutting boards
Some resins can only handle temperatures of up to 250 degrees Fahrenheit before scorching or deforming
Not chemical resistant
Requires professional installation or very skilled DIYing
Won’t add value to homes
3. Quartz Countertops
Also known as engineered stone counters, quartz countertops include recognizable brand names, including Silestone® and Caesarstone®. These counters are made of crushed stone and formed into a slab with polymer resins. That construction means they’re very hardy, as they’re nonporous and don’t easily scratch or stain.
Cost of Quartz Countertops
Quartz is popular, and its affordability and quality are two solid reasons why. At an average of $50 to $200 per square foot, quartz countertop prices probably won’t break the bank, but they still hold their value.
Who Are Quartz Countertops Best For?
Homeowners who want the look of natural stone, like marble and granite, but prefer a lower-maintenance and more cost-efficient material will appreciate quartz. They’re also a good option for households with young families or that entertain often, as they’re easy to clean and won’t stain if someone spills juice, coffee, wine, or other liquids.
Pros and Cons of Quartz Counters
Quartz countertops have a reputation for being a smart choice. Here’s what you need to consider before deciding if they’re the right fit for your home:
Pros:
Low maintenance and easy to clean
Very durable and long lasting—can last for decades without damage
Comes in a wide variety of colors
Looks and performs like natural stone but without the high-maintenance needs
Nonporous—won’t stain or require sealing
Easy to clean with mild soap and water
You can install it in many ways: as countertops in kitchens and bathrooms, fireplace surrounds, islands, and almost any other place you’d use natural stone slabs
Most brands come with long warranties against damage and defects
Installations often hold their value, as homebuyers are familiar with and like quartz counters
Cons:
Most types of binding resin aren’t heat resistant
Heavy slabs may require additional support
Can fade over time if exposed to direct sunlight and UV rays, so exterior installations are not a good idea
Hard to install—you’ll need a contractor for this
4. Stainless Steel Countertops
Shiny metal countertops aren’t everyone’s top pick, but if your home has a more industrial flair or you’re a home cook who spends a lot of time in the kitchen, these counters might be just right. They’re sleek, modern, and hardworking. Best of all, they combine affordability and easy care. You can keep it clean with just warm water and soap, and big messes will come right off with baking soda or vinegar; restore that original shine with a little mineral oil or olive oil buffed on with a soft cloth.
Cost of Stainless Steel Countertops
Depending on the type, quality, installation details, and customization features you choose, expect to pay between $50 and $150 per square foot for the cost of stainless steel countertops. Fancy edge profiles or complicated installations will cost more, as will thicker metal or coated metals that resist visible fingerprints and smears. Experts recommend choosing the thickest gauge your budget allows to reduce the likelihood of dents.
Who Are Stainless Steel Countertops Best For?
If you’re a fan of the industrial look, stainless steel counters might be your first and only favorite countertop option. Stainless steel is famous for being in professional and commercial kitchens because of its hardiness, and serious home cooks will appreciate those same advantages.
Pros and Cons of Stainless Steel Counters
You’ll probably know right away if you like the look and feel of stainless steel countertops—they can be polarizing because of their industrial look. But these countertops are all business. Here are the top pros and cons:
Pros:
Metal, including stainless steel, is a very durable countertop material and can last for decades
Resists stains, oils, corrosion, rust, scorching, burns, permanent water marks, and chemical damage
Cleans up easily with mild soap and cleaning solutions
Never needs refinishing or sealing
Steel can be made into any shape (including edge profiles like bullnose, rounded, beveled, unwrapped, and square) to fit almost any kitchen and style
Complements other types of countertops, so you can add smaller sections of stainless steel counters on coffee bars, prep stations, and islands rather than doing every counter space
Homeowners can install it themselves with little experience
Environmentally friendly—these counters are recyclable and are sometimes available as post-consumer recycled metal
Cons:
Will show smudges, splashes, and fingerprints unless you choose a speciality finish
Abrasive cleansers, steel wool, or abrasive scrubbers can scratch shiny surfaces
Thinner stainless steel will dent; thicker stainless steel is more expensive to buy
Dents will require professional removal
Can look industrial and cold
May not be compatible with every style of decor or home
5. Recycled Glass Countertops
One of the newer countertop options on the market, recycled glass counters are generally manufactured through a process of embedding crushed glass pieces (usually sourced from recycled glass) in the same type of resin used to make solid surface countertops. These have a unique look that resembles terrazzo or mosaic, but you can find solid recycled glass countertops made of melted glass formed into a solid countertop slab.
Cost of Recycled Glass Counters
Recycled glass countertop prices range from $65 to $140 per square foot, and you can save if you find a price-conscious color and style you like. The cost goes up quickly, though, if you want custom colors or have difficult installation requirements.
Who Are Recycled Glass Countertops Best For?
Homeowners with modern kitchens and non-traditional design sensibilities will most appreciate the look and feel of recycled glass counters. So will people who are artistic at heart and love mosaics and old-school terrazzo surfaces.
Pros and Cons of Recycled Glass Countertops
Glass countertops are a modern-looking material, and they won’t be a fit for every home or homeowner. It’s smart to see examples in person to be sure you like the look, regardless of whether you’re considering a terrazzo-type countertop or want a solid-colored slab. Here are some other pros and cons to think about as you make your decision.
Pros:
Very low maintenance—never need sealing or refinishing
Smooth, nonporous finish that won’t absorb stains or liquids
Heat resistant
Distinctive, modern look
Will never show age, fade, or discolor
Almost always made of recycled post-consumer glass; however, some companies manufacture their slabs overseas or use cement and petroleum binders
Cons:
Prone to chipping, cracking, and surface damage, especially if subjected to hard impacts
Some binders and resins aren’t as heat resistant as others, so verify the maximum temperature of the slab you’re considering
Custom colors and patterns can be quite expensive
Installation can be complicated, which will increase the price
Edge styles are very limited
Repairs can be expensive, and it’s not always possible to fix large cracks and chips
6. Soapstone Countertops
Soapstone is a natural stone that’s versatile, understated, and rustic-looking. It’s a favorite of manufacturers of laboratory workstations, so you may have seen and even performed chemistry experiments on a soapstone countertop. It’s been a countertop material since the 1800s and has recently gained popularity as a dense, relatively soft alternative to slate and marble. Today, you find soapstone surfaces, including counters, bars, sinks, tiles, shower pans, and fireplace surrounds, in many homes and businesses.
Cost of Soapstone Counters
Soapstone counters cost an average of $45 to $85 per square foot, doubling to $85 to $150 per square foot with installation costs.
Who Are Soapstone Countertops Best For?
Consumers who love the idea of a rustic, natural, and dark countertop surface may love the look and feel of soapstone. It brings an earthy yet chic appeal, and its durability and resistance to staining and heat are an asset in kitchens. Homeowners who appreciate the natural patina it forms will continue to like it as it ages, but those who want to retain its like-new appearance only have to sand it regularly.
Pros and Cons of Soapstone Countertops
Soapstone is beloved by a segment of homeowners, while others aren’t fans. Here’s what you need to know when deciding whether soapstone counters will be an asset to your home:
Pros:
Very durable
Dense material that resist stains, acids, heat, chemical damage, and bacteria
Washes clean with mild soap and water, but acidic or corrosive liquids won’t hurt it
Softer material feels nice to the touch and protects slabs from cracking
Easy to install
Recyclable natural stone that doesn’t contain chemicals
Environmentally friendly when sourced locally from mines that use eco-safe practices
Maintains its value and can increase the value of your home
Cons:
Softer surface may scratch and chip; these can be buffed out
Oils will darken soapstone; oiling slabs to evenly darken the entire surface can prevent blotches, but this may change the texture
Comes in a more limited variety of styles, colors, and natural veining patterns—most soapstone is a shade of gray-blue, gray, and black with lighter to cream veining
It can be hard to find matching slabs, so larger installations and waterfall edge countertop installations may not perfectly match
Fake soapstone, often inexpensive slate or marble that isn’t nearly as durable, has flooded the market; check your sources to be sure you’re buying authentic soapstone
7. Zinc Countertops
Zinc is a natural metal that can give homes a modern, industrial flair. And, because it’s a softer metal that develops a unique patina (usually a dark blue-gray color) over time and with use, every piece looks unique. Zinc is softer, duller, and less commercial-looking than stainless steel, so it’s a good option for homeowners who want metal but don’t want shiny countertops.
Cost of Zinc Counters
Zinc is one of the costlier counters at an average of $150 to $200 per square foot, so it’s an investment. Experts recommend buying a thickness of at least 15 gauge to guard against major dings and dents, but this increases the price.
Who Are Zinc Countertops Best For?
Consumers who love the idea of metal countertops but don’t want to deal with constantly cleaning stainless steel, which easily shows fingerprints and smudges. If you like a natural, industrial, patina-coated, unique countertop and have the room in your budget, zinc might be just what you’re looking for.
Pros and Cons of Zinc Countertops
Zinc is a unique material with unique pros and cons. Here are the details you should consider if you’re looking at zinc counters for your kitchen:
Pros:
Solid metal surface that can last for decades
Nonporous; won’t stain or absorb liquids
Bacteria resistant for safer food preparation
Easy to clean with soap and water
Purchasing zinc that is already developing a patina or has some defects (which will eventually get absorbed into the patina) can save you money
Skilled fabricators can create decorative edges and custom features, including integral zinc sinks
Can be installed by zinc fabricators and countertop contractors near you with experience with this material
Cons:
Soft material that scratches easily—always use cutting boards and don’t drag heavy items across it
Can warp if exposed to temperatures above 300 degrees Fahrenheit
Very expensive to purchase and install
Patina can take a year or more to develop, so it may look stained and spotted for the first year
May not recoup its value if the house and neighborhood values don’t support luxury materials
Not a DIYable install
8. Porcelain Countertops
When most of us think of porcelain, we think of our grandmother’s dainty, breakable tea set—not an easy-to-care-for and sturdy countertop material. But porcelain counters exist, and they’re getting attention for being almost as hard as quartz, stronger than granite, and mimicking the look of expensive marble at a fraction of the cost.
Cost of Porcelain Countertops
Porcelain countertops usually average between $50 and $120 per square foot, including installation; however, specific options vary and can increase or decrease the price. If you want a unique color, pattern, edge style, thickness, or larger slab size, the price will go up.
Who Are Porcelain Countertops Best For?
Porcelain countertops are great for homeowners who want a durable, low-maintenance countertop option that can be made to look like marble or other natural stone and is sleek and visually appealing without the fussiness of stone.
Pros and Cons of Porcelain Counters
There are several positives and negatives to porcelain to consider before buying and installing this type of countertop in your kitchen or bathroom.
Pros:
Easy to maintain—won’t stain, hard to scratch, heatproof, and doesn’t require sealing
Manufactured at up to 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit, so stands up to hot pots and pans
30% stronger than granite
Low absorption rate, so spills are no problem
Beautiful and luminous look; some styles are translucent and can be lit from within
Comes in a wide variety of colors and patterns, including marble lookalikes
Can be manufactured in extra-large slabs for fewer seams
Won’t fade or discolor when exposed to sunlight
Can be environmentally friendly when responsibly manufactured and sourced (it’s natural, doesn’t off-gas, chemical-free, and recyclable)
Cons:
Can crack under blunt force; edges are especially at risk
Limited edge styles
Thinner slabs may not look as weighty as some homeowners prefer
Harder to source and there are fewer installers; may be more expensive in some locations
Not as long-lived as some countertops; average life span is 10 to 20 years
Difficult to DIY if installing thinner slabs
9. Lava Stone Countertop
If you have the budget of a celebrity, you can have a celebrity countertop. Lava stone is extracted from the site of volcanic eruptions, then cut, glazed, and fired again, making it one of the most expensive countertop materials. Now, it’s becoming famous and showing up in high-end homes and magazine spreads.
Cost of Lava Stone Countertops
This material is rare, hard to find, and often has a long waitlist, so its luxury price of $250 to $350 per square foot is probably no surprise. However, if your budget allows for this high-end countertop, and you want a one-of-a-kind material that requires virtually no maintenance and is almost damage-proof, lava stone might be for you.
Who Are Lava Stone Countertops Best For?
Homeowners with high-end budgets and high-end homes who want unique, exotic, memorable countertops that will last forever and require no repairs or maintenance might love this special stone.
Pros and Cons of Lava Stone Counters
Of course, cost is the number-one con for most homeowners on a budget, but if you’ve got the money to spend on this luxury item, it has a lot of positive attributes to offer.
Pros:
Virtually maintenance-free
Cannot be damaged by hot or cold temperatures or water
Resistant to chemicals, scratching, and chipping
Will not stain or grow bacteria because it’s nonporous
Unique and beautiful—comes in a wide variety of colors, and each piece has unique crazing (natural, non-damaging cracks formed during the cooling process)
The natural stone material can last for a lifetime and longer
Suitable for indoor and outdoor applications
More eco-friendly than non-natural materials, especially when sustainably harvested and treated (although, shipping long distances has a carbon footprint)
Cons:
Very expensive to buy, ship, and install
Cannot be refinished
Buyers usually have to go on a waiting list
Difficult to find retailers and installers
How to Choose the Best Low-Maintenance Kitchen Countertops
With so many great options, it can be hard to choose which low-maintenance counters that are the right fit for your home and lifestyle. To find your answer and perfect countertop material, think about what’s most important to you and narrow down your options accordingly. The following are some factors that can help make the best choice clearer.
Budget
It’s important to know your budget before going into any home renovation project, even when replacing your countertops with lower-maintenance materials. Countertop materials range in price from wallet-friendly to very expensive, and the cost to install countertops adds to the total price. It helps to have a budget in mind and get complete cost estimates when researching to keep you from spending too much or going with the lowest quote and sacrificing quality and the look you really want.
Aesthetics
Your home’s style and your personal style might rule out some possibilities. For example, if your home is traditional, recycled glass countertops can look too modern; if your home has a more luxurious look and feel, a lower-budget countertop like laminate might not fit the overall decor. That said, many of these countertop types are available in various styles, colors, and patterns, so you may find it helpful to explore aesthetic choices.
Eco-Friendliness
Eco-friendliness can be an important purchasing factor for many people. Choosing more natural home materials that don’t generate carbon or use limited resources, don’t off-gas VOCs, last a long time, are recyclable, and don’t contribute to landfill waste are good ways to live what you believe.
Resale Value
If you have no intention of selling your home anytime soon and are shopping for your own use, you may not care about resale value. However, if you plan to move in the near future or you’re fixing up a house to sell, ROI should be high on your list of priorities. Some countertops are more desirable to buyers, so you’re more likely to recoup your installation costs if you choose one of them. If you’re going this route, consider buying countertops that have wider appeal, are a neutral color, and hold their value longer.
Maintenance Requirements
Even though all of these are low maintenance, some require more care and upkeep than others. For example, stainless steel shows fingerprints, and you’ll need to clean it more frequently than other counters. Counters like laminate don’t have a high heat resistance, so you’ll have to be careful with hot pots and pans. From daily cleaning to best practices for long-term care, think about each countertop’s individual qualities and needs, and remove any from your list that requires too much maintenance for your preferences.