Countertops In Philadelphia: Choosing The Best Material
05/31/2019
7 min read
7 min read
Looking for countertops in Philadelphia? In this post, we’ll take a look at some of the most popular materials in one of America’s oldest cities. We’ll also discuss why quartz has become the material of choice for many local homeowners.
Popular Materials For Countertops In Philadelphia
Granite Countertops In Philadelphia
From the 1980s to the early 2000s, granite countertops seemed unbeatable. They were a sensation all across America, including Philadelphia.
This all stemmed from the perception of granite as an exclusive and high-end countertop material. Only those with good taste and lots of money could get their hands on a granite slab for their kitchen.
That didn’t last very long. Eventually, granite became more widely available and everyone was using it in their kitchens. Because granite comes in a limited range of shades and styles, people quickly got tired of it.
Granite’s flaws (read about them here) have also dulled its popularity. Of particular consequence is the stone’s porous nature, which causes it to soak up stains with ease.
Granite requires regular resealing, which is a major cost and inconvenience.
For this reason, while you will still see granite countertops in Philadelphia, they’re nowhere near as popular as they once were.
Concrete Countertops In Philadelphia
Concrete countertops in Philadelphia are a common consideration for people looking to design industrial kitchens. What many people find, however, is that concrete is very unrefined as a countertop material.
Even if you seal concrete (which you’ll need to do at least twice yearly), it tends to give off the impression that you’ve taken chunks of sidewalk to use for your countertop.
Concrete also ages quite poorly, acquiring discoloration and small cracks that make spills all the more problematic.
So while concrete countertops seem like a great idea in theory, in practice they are very underwhelming. A better idea would be to use something like Concrete 2003 from Caesarstone, which looks like the famous building material but is actually made from quartz (more on the benefits of this shortly).
Laminate Countertops In Philadelphia
Of all the various countertop materials, laminate is the cheapest and least refined. It’s made from sheets of plastic laminate glued to particleboard. This construction makes laminate countertops very susceptible to warping, chipping, and other types of physical damage.
It also makes laminate look and feel very low-grade. You’ll find that the countertops lack the depth of the materials it tries to emulate, such as granite or quartz.
Unless you are truly on a tight budget, buying laminate countertops in Philadelphia will cost you in the long run by way of decreased home resale value and regular repair or replacement costs.
Marble Countertops In Philadelphia
Fun fact: the Supreme Court Building in Washington D.C. (just a 2.5-hour drive from Philadelphia) is made from various types of marble.
As you saw with concrete, though, a good building material doesn’t always translate into a good countertop. Marble is porous, requiring frequent resealing to avoid stains and discoloration. Marble is also quite soft compared to other types of natural stone, which is partially what makes it such a good sculpting material. In the kitchen, however, this softness makes marble susceptible to damage from acids and sharp objects.
These factors, combined with marble’s high maintenance cost, push many people towards using marble-style quartz instead.
Wood Countertops In Philadelphia
Lastly, we have wood countertops in Philadelphia. Wood countertops (also referred to as butcher’s block countertops) offer a rustic aesthetic that few other materials can provide.
The issue is that, as with concrete, wood countertops are a bit more unrefined in real-world use than you might expect.
In terms of porousness, wood makes natural stone look impenetrable. Wood also harbors bacteria, particularly when you scratch or dent it; research has shown that harmful agents thrive in the jagged edges this type of damage produces.
None of this is helped by the fact that wood countertops can be quite costly.
Quartz Countertops In Philadelphia: Your Best Option
There are several reasons why quartz countertops in Philadelphia have become very popular. While we explore those reasons in detail here, we’ll give you an overview below.
Low Maintenance
Compared to natural stone, caring for quartz countertops is a breeze. You never need to reseal quartz. Most maintenance can be done with a cloth and a few cleaning agents, as described in this guide. As a result, quartz is much cheaper to own in the long run.
More Options
Natural stone countertops only come in a few styles and patterns. Because quartz is engineered stone, designers are able to fashion it into countless variants. Just take a look at our Collections page for a glimpse at quartz’s many different looks.
Durability
Quartz offers the best all-around durability of any countertop material. You can count on its resistance to scratches, heat, and stains.
Increased Home Value
The consensus among designers is that quartz has drastically overtaken granite in terms of popularity throughout the United States. Because of this, it tends to increase home resale value better than most other countertop materials.
Looking For A Quartz Countertop In Philadelphia?
Check out one of our many Caesarstone locations in the area. We also invite you to try out our quartz visualizer. With it, you’ll be able to experiment with our various surfaces in different settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best countertop for your money?
Quartz is by far the best countertop for your money in Philadelphia. It’s durable, requires minimal maintenance and comes in a variety of styles that make it suitable for any kitchen theme.
What is the cheapest kitchen countertop?
Laminate countertops are the cheapest, by far. That’s all they have going for them, though. Laminate is very cheaply made and susceptible to warping as well as other types of damage. It also looks subpar.
How much does it cost to replace a kitchen countertop in Philadelphia?
According to Improve Net, quartz countertops in Philadelphia cost between $60 and $115 per square foot. At the upper end of that range, you’ll find exotic types of quartz.
Things To Do In Philadelphia
A kitchen renovation can be stressful. Luckily for you, Philadelphia is home to numerous attractions that can help you get your mind off things. Here are five popular options.
Enjoy An Authentic Philly Cheesesteak
Some of the most beloved places (as outlined by Visit Philadelphia) to grab this local favorite include:
- John’s Roast Pork at 14 E. Snyder Avenue
- Tony Luke’s at 39 E. Oregon Avenue
- Pat’s King of Steaks at 1237 E. Passyunk Avenue
- Geno’s Steaks at 1219 S. 9th Street
Catch A History Lesson At Independence Hall
While the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution both reside in Washington D.C., they were actually both signed right here in Philadelphia’s Indepedence Hall. Visitors to the historic building can actually check out the room where those famous documents were signed by the nation’s Founding Fathers.
Visit The Famed LOVE Statue
Philadelphia is known as the city of brotherly love. For an artistic demonstration of that, visit Robert Indiana’s iconic LOVE Statue in John F. Kennedy Plaza.
It was first installed in 1976 and has been a favorite among tourists ever since.
Shop At The Reading Terminal Market
The Reading Terminal Market is one of America’s oldest public marketplaces. Here, you’ll find lots of local eats and beverages. You could easily spend a whole day checking out what the countless vendors have to offer – and every Philly resident should at some point.
Enjoy Some Solitude At Fairmount Park
If you’d prefer some peace and quiet, check out Fairmount Park. This sprawling urban expanse offers 2,000 acres of trails, waterfront, and picnic areas. You can also take guided tours of Colonial-era properties in their original locations scattered throughout the park.
