Toronto’s 10 Best Countertops For Your Kitchen Cabinet in 2021
The first step toward a functional kitchen is to select a countertop surface material that not only reflects your taste but also fits your lifestyle and kitchen cabinets. After all, it’s on and around your countertop that the entire cooking paraphernalia stays. We could also argue that the counters are the backdrop and the primary attraction in any kitchen besides alluring Kitchen Cabinets: they take up a lot of visual space. And the materials and options you select, whether unbreakable composite slabs or bespoke tiles are as much about functionality as they are about style.
Choosing the appropriate countertop in Toronto that gels well with your Kitchen cabinets and the rest of the interiors can be difficult. For starters, there are numerous options: Not sure what kind of marble would be best. What’s the difference between quartz and quartzite, and how do you tell the two apart? Which material would look best with RTA kitchen cabinets? There’s a lot to discover about natural, engineered, and manufactured materials, besides the color possibilities available with each.
You’ll find everything you need to know about countertops in the sections below. Continue reading to find out how to pick the best options that fit your space and budget.
Ten Best Options
1. Stainless Steel
Stainless steel has long been popular inside industrial kitchens, but it’s increasingly catching on in-home settings. This sort of countertop instantly transforms your kitchen into a sophisticated, industrial space.
It’s simple to maintain when appropriately cleaned. However, the longer you leave a splatter or spill, the more difficult it is to tidy up. Stainless steel counters can be cleaned with soap and water or a solution designed especially for this type of surface. Stainless steel is also susceptible to fingerprints and watermarks, making it unsuitable for a family with young kids. Their uniform appearance makes gel well with a range of European-styled kitchen cabinet options in Toronto.
2. Quartz
Quartz is ideal for the no-fuss cook because it doesn’t need to be sealed or polished and has double the resilience of natural stone. However, it is still heat-sensitive, so hot kitchenware shouldn’t be placed directly on it.
Quartz countertops are made by combining quartz particles with resin and polymers to create a long-lasting, natural-looking surface that goes beautifully with your kitchen cabinets. Natural stone alternatives are less resilient to domestic cleaning products and chemicals than this hybrid of natural stone and synthetic resins (so you can keep surfaces looking as good as new at all times). Quartz materials of excellent quality can be just as expensive as natural ones.
3. Granite
Granite comes in the category of the most expensive natural stones as it is one of the hardest materials naturally available (though it can be about the same price as high-quality quartz). This makes it the most durable, rendering it fit for big spaces, having several kitchen cabinets that see a lot of action, and yet intend to ooze luxury. It’s not only one of the hardest but also most scratch-resistant natural stones on the market. To keep granite looking new, it will need to be resealed on a regular basis. Granite is the crystalline form of hot molten magma, in case you’re curious where it comes from. Fantastic, isn’t it?
4. Quartzite
This highly valuable and sought-after natural stone resembles marble and onyx in appearance and is not to be mistaken for quartz. Quartzite, like granite, is a natural stone that is resistant to heat and scratches. The sealing procedure is performed on the natural stone after it is extracted, commonly referred to as “engineered quartz” or “engineered stone.” Quartzite counters are permeable, so they aren’t usually the ideal choice for high-traffic areas. However, if you are in a quiet zone and looking to give your kitchen space a classy makeover, adding a few elegant kitchen cabinets and re-slabbing counters with quartzite are a few great options to get started with.
5. Marble
Marble has become almost synonymous with all forms of natural stones (or manufactured hybrid) that we come across. However, it is quite specific. Marble, for instance, is made up of a number of minerals, including calcite, graphite, amongst others. It’s one of the gentler natural stones, so it’s not as long-lasting. Marble is susceptible to etching, and the first scratch is often the deepest; still, the aesthetic quotient is undeniable and sure to accentuate your kitchen cabinets.
6. Solid Surface
A solid surface is a man-made stone made primarily of natural elements (such as stone) and an acrylic binder. A solid surface, unlike actual stone, will turn old and worn out over time, but it’s still highly durable. And it’s impervious to the majority of standard cleaning products! It’s also one of the most affordable countertop solutions in Toronto that will complement your kitchen cabinets too.
7. Wooden Countertop
Alternatively, you might go with traditional wood counters. Wood eliminates microorganisms more quickly than any other surface, making it ideal for kitchen settings.
Not only can wooden countertops appear classy and traditional in almost any Toronto kitchen, but they’re also easy to maintain and can effortlessly complement your European-styled kitchen cabinets— when purchased from reliable manufacturers with high-quality finishes. They’ll last longer if you coat them but will still wear out over time. There’s a lot of variation when it comes to pricing, so it really depends on which wood is being used and where you purchase it from.
8. Butcher Block
Food can be prepared right on a butcher-block counter’s surface, which is, to say the least, very convenient. If you like the warm and rustic aesthetic, a little oiling here and there is worth it. To make the surface more water and heat-resistant, apply a specialized coating meant for the purpose. Add beautifully designed and complementing ready-to-install (RTA) kitchen cabinets to complete the look.
9. Concrete
Concrete, which can be poured and molded to fit or purchased premade, has a distinctive industrial aspect to it. While it is naturally sturdy, concrete is prone to staining and is not recommended for perfectionists who prefer everything clean and in order (though a sealer can help!). It is less expensive than marble but more expensive than laminate. You may also “hack” the look by painting concrete on top of laminate, and there are certain ceramic slabs that look comparable. Kitchen cabinets, especially the European-styled ones, go well with them.
10. Soapstone
Soapstone is a natural stone found in the Appalachian Mountains of the United States, as well as in Finland and Brazil. It has a high amount of naturally occurring talc, which imparts a soapy or soft feel to the surface.
Soapstone has a number of advantages over marble and granite. It takes no upkeep and is entirely nonporous, making it the stain, bacterium, and heat resistant. It also has a distinctive appearance and comes in a range of grey colors with blue or green overtones. The natural marble-like veining varies from stone to stone, complementing your kitchen cabinets and the rest of the setting.
While soapstone is prone to breakage, the stone’s patina gives it an ancient appearance. In fact, for the first year, homeowners should oil the worktop once every month to allow the surface to oxidize and the patina to emerge.
Other options
Tiles
While tiles have largely been used for backsplashes, they can also be an excellent option for your countertops. If you want your kitchen cabinets and other things to look aesthetically classy but don’t want to spend a lot of money, tile countertops are a terrific option.
The only disadvantage is that they frequently require re-grouting to keep them clean and bright. Although white grout is the most obvious option, there’s an entire grout spectrum out there. Having said that, tile is more heat-resistant; thus, it can withstand hot pans and plates better. Pick your favorite.
Onyx
Onyx is a prismatic and translucent stone that forms from water pouring in limestone caves, creating a stunning, distinctive veining pattern— a perfect setting for your European-styled kitchen cabinets. It comes in a range of colors, including pink, green, orange, and more. Onyx is extremely soft, even more so than marble (but not as much as its close cousin calcite, which glistens with crystals)—which again implies it’s not as long-lasting. It can become more durable and resistant with the correct sealer, though, yet wear and tear should be anticipated over time. Travertine, which is likewise derived from limestone caverns and hot springs, has similar chemistry.
Recycled Glass
This intriguing countertop alternative has a sleek and contemporary style that is long-lasting, sparkling, and breathtakingly gorgeous. Granite Transformed recycled glass countertops lately getting pretty popular in Toronto are made up of 78 percent recycled glass (procured usually from colorful beer and liquor bottles) and manufactured stones to create a gleaming, eco-friendly appearance. They are heat, abrasion, and stain-resistant, making them an excellent choice for your kitchen, bathroom, and corporate remodeling. They are also easy to match with various kitchen cabinet options that you might be eyeing.
Copper
Copper worktops are absolutely gorgeous and one-of-a-kind. They are arguably less popular than other countertop materials, but the popularity graph is on the rise. They add a certain oomph factor that can’t be recreated with any other material— a feeling of having something really quite special and functional— all merged in one. They are certainly more expensive, but not as much as the real stone. Also, copper countertops are made to order and look stunning with European-styled kitchen cabinets, oozing simplicity and modernity in one go.
Laminate
This nonporous acrylic is available in a limitless range of colors and patterns, making it great for individuals who want to make a bold statement, pulling off a monochromatic theme or a whimsical design scheme to go with the existing kitchen cabinets. Besides, it can seamlessly mold itself into any design concept.
Laminates in Toronto have become more durable— thanks to the new technology, but it is still a low-cost option. It’s a terrific alternative for someone on a budget. Any shortfalls? Well, it doesn’t withstand the heat that well as other options might (so don’t place a hot skillet directly on it!) and may crack or peel over time.
Terrazzo
Terrazzo is a composite material comprising of marble, quartz, granite, glass, and other materials that are mixed together and put into a chemical resin mould. The process was viral during the 1980s and witnessed a revival in popularity in Toronto during 2017, demonstrating that it is an unpredictably timeless style. It looks wonderful when used as a continuous material that stretches from the counters to the floor with kitchen cabinets strategically placed. Terrazzo is also available as tiles, some of which are larger than others.
Final Verdict
Although when it comes to the kitchen countertops, there are options galore, if you are in Toronto, the top picks that are functional, aesthetically pleasing, trending, and affordable would be Marble, Granite, and Quartz. If you are looking for an option that is an amalgamation of popular countertop materials, go for Terrazzo. For those of you who want something unconventional and totally unique — A wooden countertop is our pick!
