Know What Surfaces Suit Your Kitchen Best

When it comes to kitchen countertops, what’s on the surface can actually make or break your experience in the kitchen. Know what surfaces suit your kitchen best.

- Shimin Chu

No matter if you’re a seasoned chef or a rookie just starting out, your kitchen setting should be one that simplifies your cooking experience, and not one that hinders it. A large part of meal preparations are carried out on kitchen countertops. Thus, the first step to making your cooking sessions a breeze is to correctly identify the type of surfaces that suit your kitchen, and your cooking needs, best.

Natural Stone

Due to their stunning appearances, natural stone surfaces like marble and granite are hot favourites among homeowners today. Not only do they add a refined touch to your kitchen, the distinctive vein patterns and colours of these stones – especially for marble – ensure that no two surfaces are the same, thus making your kitchen countertops uniquely one-of-a-kind. However, natural stones tend to be more vulnerable to heat, cracks, and stains, which therefore require more effort to upkeep.

Engineered Quartz

Designed to counter the limitations of natural stone, engineered quartz surfaces are certainly more durable, with stronger and nonporous surfaces that can counter heat, scratches, cracks, stains, and bacteria. Unlike marble and granite, quartz surfaces are easier to maintain as they do not require regular sealing or polishing.

Cleaning tips

• For daily cleaning, use a mild dish detergent and warm water. Avoid the use of harsh cleaning agents like bathroom cleaners and vinegar.

• Mix baking soda and hydrogen peroxide to create a homemade, stain-removal solution.

Maintenance tips

• Avoid placing hot appliances and dishes directly on the surface, as excessive heat can give rise to cracks.