In many homes, people spend a lot of time in the kitchen, preparing victuals to sustain them throughout the day. More so when they have a family to feed. In these homes, a kitchen with a high-quality kitchen counter is really necessary since that is where food is prepped for cooking and eating. Especially so in Malaysian homes, where the usage of highly stainable food such as turmeric and soy sauce, and the use of the mortar and pestle to prep food for cooking calls for kitchen countertops that are made of durable material that is easily cleaned and maintained. In this article, we will highlight the 6 most commonly used material for Malaysian kitchen countertops, and the pros and cons of each.
1. Solid Surface
Solid surface countertops are usually made of acrylic or polyester with fillers and are designed in such a way that they can resemble other materials yet cost a fraction of the price. Acrylic can be moulded in a huge variety of designs and colours. They are among the most popular choices for countertops as they are not too expensive and require little maintenance. Although scratched, this is easily taken care of by buffing and sanding out the marks. The material is also non-porous, ideal for food prep as the risk of harbouring bacteria that cause food contamination is low.
2. Marble
The natural marble countertop is quite popularly used as kitchen countertops due to its heat resistance. This material is available in many colours and no two countertops have the exact same pattern. However, marble is not as durable a granite, as it is a soft and porous material, and easily scratched up. Spills also can result in stains if not cleaned up quickly enough. It thus has to be sealed often to avoid damages to the surface.
3. Quartz
Quarts countertops are human cultured which combine natural quartz stone with a variety of materials such as resin, broken granite, marble, or glass. This is the most expensive countertop material on this list but due to its premium quality, it is worth investing in. Its durability is increased due to its non-porous nature, being highly heat and scratch resistant. The fact that quartz is manufactured means that it can be customized to imitate any style, including granite and marble. Its durability is increased due to its non-porous nature, being highly scratch resistant, and thus doesn’t need to be re-sealed as often as granite and marble There are also many colours and styles to suit different tastes.
4. Granite
Granite is one of the most common countertop materials and is very solid and durable. Granite is natural stone; like marble, no two countertops will look the same. Granite can withstand extremely high temperatures, and quite hard to crack or scratch. The colour options, however, are quite limited, and it needs to be maintained by using sealant. It is also cheaper than marble or quartz.
5. Solid Wood
Wood countertops are popular with homes that are going for the warm, rustic, cottage-style look, and easily matched with any design. Like marble and granite, wood also has a natural vein pattern, so every wood countertop is unique. However, wood can be expensive as it is a rarer commodity than stone. The regular wear and tear do not show up as obviously on wood. However, it needs regular maintenance and needs to be sealed, as it can easily acquire damage from heat, water, and corrosive substances.
6. HPL High Pressure Laminate
This material is able to
mimic the style and texture of other materials. There are many layers and it consists of plywood
being encased in a layer of plastic resin where the designs are printed. The
material is easy to maintain and durable and is the cheapest material on this
list. It is easy to clean but great care needs to be taken as damage from
scratches, cracks, and heat cannot be repaired. Always remember to dry up the table top in case the water sipped into the surface and long term is not advisable.
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