Perhaps the most important choice you need to make when adding a kitchen island is the countertop. There are a large variety of materials that can be used, but each has its own pros and cons and so everyone needs to make their own choice based on how it will be used, their budget and what they personally like the look of.

Main Considerations to keep in mind when selecting a kitchen island countertop:

• Is it attractive, and does it fit with the overall style of the kitchen?
• Will it wear well over time and how much maintenance will it need?
• Will it be easy to keep clean?
• Does it fit my budget?

The main materials to choose from are:

• Laminate
• Granite
• Engineered Stone
• Wood

Kitchen Island Countertop Comparisons

Characteristic	Laminate	Granite	Stone	Wood
Durability	Good - if cared for in the proper way	Excellent	Good	Fair
Cleaning Ease	Excellent - use mild soap and water	Excellent - use mild soap and warm water	Excellent	Fair - use mild soap and warm water
Stain Resistance	Good	Good - but can be damaged by wine, oils, acid	Excellent	Poor - needs regular maintenance to maintain seal
Water Resistance	Good	Good	Good	Poor - needs regular maintenance to maintain seal
Heat Resistance	Poor - can be damaged by hot pot or pan placed directly on it	Excellent	Excellent	Poor
Sealant	Required on seams	Every two to three years	Every two to three years	Apply oil / sealant once a year
Best Features	Inexpensive, low maintenace and easy cleaning	Beautiful and class look	Easy to care for and stain resistance	Warm and inviting, can match cabinets
Look Out For	Seams that are visible.	Can stain, need to make sure sealed well	Rough surface	Can be chipped and damaged easily
Cost	Low	High	High	Medium

Laminate is probably the most affordable material on the market for an island countertop. It is also easy to match with your existing color scheme as it comes in many different patterns, textures and colors. They are long lasting and durable if cared for in the proper way. Laminate is tough but not indestructible though. It can be damaged if a hot pan is placed directly on it. Knives can leave cutting marks, so cutting boards are required. It can also stain, especially if you have a light color. The best option is often to find a balance between a lighter and darker color (too light will show stains and darker colors will show scratches and other damage) and the texture (glossy looks attractive but will soon show wear).

Granite countertops give your kitchen an upscale design that makes it look more appealing to the eye. It can be polished to have a very glossy beautiful look which is not lost over time. Not only do they give your home a sleek look, but they are also really easy to maintain. Granite is also tough; it will not be damaged by setting a hot pan on it. Although granite is extremely hard and solid, as it is a stone, it can be stained. You will need to maintain it annually with a special granite sealer. If you plan to use a granite island counter top that in the standard black granite it often goes well with a cherry or maple wood finishing for the cupboards. Granite also comes in brown or a tan color so fortunately you are not limited to the black alone.

Using engineered stone is available in a much wider range of colors than granite, so you can really go wild with the interior of your kitchen and still keep the stark stone surface with the same benefits of using granite. It is usually composed of quartz, so it is just as resistant to scratches and easy to clean. For that reason it used on more and more countertops today.

Traditional wood and tile island countertops are also used in many homes. They have the appealing factor of wood, so it has a warming touch as opposed to the colder stone. The wood and tile can accent your cabinets and cupboards, bringing out the finishes and has the added benefit of being more cost effective. Wood has the advantage that you can cut and chop on it without damaging the knife blade but it will leave marks. The wood needs regular maintenance to maintain the seal, even so it can get stained. You need to be careful if a wooden section of countertop is located next to a sink as it could get water damage.

Find out more about :

Granite Kitchen Islands
Marble Top Kitchen Island
Stainless Steel Kitchen Islands
Butchers Block Kitchen Islands
Stone Kitchen Islands