How To Pick Your Kitchen Countertop

Posted April 12, 2022

Whether you are redoing your entire kitchen, or just making a few upgrades, there are many decisions to be made. Choosing a kitchen countertop is an important and exciting task because it must be functional, durable, and fit the aesthetic of your space! Here’s our advice on how to pick your kitchen countertop.

Choosing the Right Material for Your Kitchen Countertop

Some of the top material options for kitchen countertops are:

Natural Stone (granite)
Quartz
Butcher Block (wood)
Concrete
Stainless Steel

The Pros and Cons

Natural Stone (Granite)

Granite is elegant, natural and beautiful. It is often the most desired material for homeowners, but it comes at a cost. Granite needs to be sealed regularly in order to remain durable and stain-resistant. Granite can fade over time as well, especially if it is exposed to sunlight.

Quartz

Quartz is manufactured from natural materials, and is more affordable than granite. It can be made to give the appearance of granite, and offers more durability and stain resistance. Quartz is a naturally sealed material, so it doesn’t need to be resealed like granite or wood.

Butcher Block (wood)

Butcher block countertops are increasing in popularity and give a warm, natural, farmhouse appearance. It is available in many different varieties including birch, bamboo, white oak, maple, cherry, walnut, and more. There are many options when it comes to appearance, hardness, and cost. Wood countertops can be finished in a few different ways including oil finished, stained, or a solid finish. These types of countertops range in price, depending on the wood and finish type — in some cases, the price of wood can meet or exceed the cost of granite or quartz

Concrete

Concrete countertops are highly customizable and very durable. Concrete needs to be sealed in order to remain stain, heat, and scratch resistant; however, so do most other countertop materials. Concrete countertops give a modern “worn-in” appearance. Concrete requires extensive skill and labour upon installation, which means it can be a larger investment.

Stainless Steel

This material is nearly indestructible. Stainless steel will not burn, rust, or stain. It is quite easy to install and offers a sleek, modern appearance. However, stainless steel can be loud when it comes into contact with dishes, pots, and pans. As a countertop material, the cost of stainless steel is considerably less than quartz, marble, or wood.

Choose Your Countertop Style & Finish

Honed vs Polished

A honed finish is when a granite or quartz countertop has been ground to give it a smooth, flat, and matte finish.

A polished finish is when quartz or stone has a smooth, high-shine surface.

Veining

For quartz and marble, high-variance veining styles are when the slab of stone has lines of a varying colour that run across and through it. This is something to consider when choosing your material as it can make your countertop quite a statement piece in your home.

Think About Your Sink

When choosing a kitchen countertop, we recommend thinking about your sink as well. Would you like an apron sink with a wood countertop, or a quartz countertop with a stainless steel sink? These are good questions to ask yourself and our team of designers will be more than happy to help you determine your selections.

Consider Your Lifestyle

When you’re thinking about how to pick your kitchen countertop, consider your lifestyle and daily needs.

If you’re a home chef who spends lots of time in the kitchen, stainless steel might be a top choice as it provides the look, feel, and resiliency of a restaurant kitchen.

If you have kids and want something durable that will minimize the look of fingerprints – quartz with a honed finish is the way to go.

Cambria has a handy kitchen visualizer tool which allows you to see countertops in different spaces to help you get a better sense of each style.

The team at Sutcliffe Kitchens would love to help you get started on your kitchen renovation project. Please contact us here and get the conversation started!

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4.9

Alison Kelly

19:40 28 Oct 22

In spring/summer of 2022, I hired the Sutcliffe Kitchens / Sutcliffe Homes team to do a reno of my entire main floor. We had two walls removed, a load bearing beam installed, and a kitchen, powder room, living room & office reno, along with a fireplace demo, with a new FP insert installed, and a FP surround built. Lisa and the kitchen team did a fantastic job on our custom kitchen cabinetry design and install. Lisa took me through the whole design process, making suggestions and accommodating my preferences the whole way. She even helped me work through my ideas for integrating a dog bed area and dog feeding area into the new design! (The pup loves his new spaces!) The Kitchen team worked seamlessly with their sister company, Sutcliffe homes & renovations. Everything was managed perfectly. The cabinet and countertop quality was great, and the workmanship was top notch. I get compliments on my new kitchen constantly! I would not hesitate to recommend this company!

Paula Carere

20:44 23 Jan 25

We had the pleasure of working with Miranda of Sutcliffe to design the cabinetry for kitchen , bath and laundry in our new home . Miranda was knowledgeable and easy to work with. She built on some of our ideas and challenged the ones that were not so good. .We are are than pleased, comfortable and proud in this beautiful space.

Elisabeth Crha

21:04 11 Oct 24

Our renovation was completed June 2024. It was a real pleasure working with Lisa Fish from Sutcliffe Kitchens. Lisa was helpful in our design, keeping within a traditional slash modern style. We love our newly renovated kitchen, fireplace wall, washroom and mudroom cabinets. I would recommend Sutcliffe Kitchens quality and professionalism and easily give a 5 star review.

Betty Cecchetto

00:12 31 Aug 24

Sutcliffe transformed a dreary tiny and disfunctional kitchen into one filled with light and space! And essentially kept the same floor plan, which kept costs down! Miranda and Kevin accommodated all of my sometimes quirky ideas, making it all work. When inevitable roadblocks occurred, all of the Sutcliffe staff sanguinely rolled with the punches to keep moving forward. I am so glad that I chose this friendly, approachable and brilliant team! Professionals who were a dream to work with!

Carol McLellan

18:24 10 Oct 23

Lisa helped us create our beautiful custom kitchen, providing great suggestions. The installers were very skilled, professional and did an excellent job!

Rose Venuti

19:57 15 Feb 23

Just amazing! From day one of this project to the final result- such a fantastic experience! The communication, attention to detail, professionalism and talent was excellent! Kevin, Lisa and the incredible team- thank you for creating my beautiful kitchen!!

Sara Hoare

21:24 30 Dec 22

From the very first phone call to the final installation, every person I interacted with provided top notch service! A kitchen reno involves so many decisions and Lisa and Jacqueline helped me every step of the way. The final result is everything I hoped it would be but so many people and things have to come together to get it right. Don’t take a chance with your kitchen - use the pros at Sutcliffe!!! Kudos to Sean as well for flawless installation!

G G

22:39 03 May 23

Sutcliffe Kitchens just finished renovating my kitchen and I could not be happier. I knew from the start that we were safe having Kim lead this project. She made us feel comfortable and set us up with a great contractor. The install of the kitchen went well, and I could not be happier with the work that Sean did in our home. Kevin always stayed connected with us by letting us know how things were progressing with our project. Overall, the whole team was great to work with and I have recommended Sutcliffe Kitchens to all my family and friends who have been impressed with the completion of our new kitchen.

Donna Webb

01:24 30 Apr 23

Sutcliffe Kitchens are a very professional but personable company, who take the time to listen to your wants and needs in designing a new kitchen. Every detail is not overlooked. The installers are good craftsmen and ensure the cabinets are installed correctly. They partner with a countertop company, Stonex, to choose a countertop. Sutcliffe also partnered with a contractor, Homestead Renovations, who looked after the renovation of our kitchen. They did excellent work preparing the space for the new cabinets. Very pleased with our experience dealing with this excellent kitchen cabinet company.

Simon Wong

19:04 22 Dec 22

We have used Sutcliffe Kitchens for the past 7 kitchens in our homes and have consistently received excellent customer service and installation. Miranda, in particular, has been a fantastic designer and has played a key role in the successful completion of each project. The team at Sutcliffe Kitchens is professional, reliable, and always goes above and beyond to ensure that our expectations are met. The quality of their work is exceptional, and we have always been extremely happy with the end result. Sean, one of the installers, has done an excellent job on all of the kitchens we have had installed by Sutcliffe Kitchens. He is highly skilled and takes great pride in his work. His attention to detail is impeccable, and he always goes above and beyond to ensure that everything is perfect. He is also very easy to work with and has excellent communication skills, which makes the entire process stress-free and enjoyable. Overall, we highly recommend Sutcliffe Kitchens for anyone in need of a new kitchen. They are a top-notch company with a team of dedicated professionals who truly care about their clients and delivering the best possible service.

Gaby Lewis

07:35 24 Oct 22

Changed my kitchen to a white high gloss modern look and could not be happier with the work and the results. The work ethic was on point, very respectful and educated people, and there was good communication during the entire project. Both installers were kind and detailed oriented with all my requests. I love my new kitchen they did a fantastic job!! if you are looking for high quality and affordable prices this is the company you need. 100% recommended."

Chelsey Mathieu

14:48 03 Feb 22

Kevin, Leslie, and the team at Sutcliffe Kitchens are incredible! They are caring, knowledgeable, and professional. They take time to listen and bring the vision for your kitchen to life. The exceptional skills and execution by each member of the Sutcliffe Kitchens team are proven by the stunning end results. If you're looking to renovate your kitchen, look no further!

Zachary Smith

06:42 24 Oct 22

My kitchen and bathrooms are pretty small but they really customized everything in order to maximize the space. My closet has never been so organized in my life...Got shelves to fit the shoes and went all out on the granite since it wasn't a big piece to begin with...Overall content with the work will call them again for any further remodeling I need done.

Jenny DeCicco

21:12 20 Jun 22

Suttcliffe's quality of service and workmanship is top notch. They transformed my entire home including removing and rebuilding the roof, built and installed a gorgeous custom kitchens and other custom millwork. I can't be more pleased with the results and am almost embarrassed by the gushing compliments from friends and neighbors!

Jason Sinclair

00:22 18 May 22

They deserve 10 stars. From the start Miranda and Kevin were professional, answered every question and help us feel at ease with our kitchen reno. Miranda listened to our likes and dislike and basically nailed the design on the first drawing. Kevin and the install team took great pride in their work and made sure everything was absolutely perfect. Not only did they provide a great product which will last for years to come. Their customer service and workmanship would be hard to beat.

Karen and Romy Hergott

22:24 08 May 22

From design to install to service, our experience with Sutcliffe Kitchens was outstanding. Lisa and Kevin were very professional in guiding us through the design process. We appreciated their attention to details and quick responses to our questions. It was very helpful to have that experience and knowledge during the decision making. Thank you Lisa for your patience in helping us make all those decisions! The installation by Sean and Joe was smooth and on schedule. Tracy was great with her follow up service on the little tweaks after the major install. You were all a joy to work with! We are so pleased with the final result and would recommend Sutcliffe Kitchens to anyone looking to do a kitchen remodel or new build. We are loving our new kitchen!

Vanessa McQuade

18:41 28 Feb 22

We have worked alongside Sutcliffe Kitchens for many years now - Kevin, Leslie and the entire team are amazing and truly care! I recommend them to all of my friends and family because I know they will have an incredible experience and end up with a gorgeous kitchen and/or bathroom :)

Ryan Vielma

21:03 17 Feb 22

The Sutcliffe Kitchens team are incredible people and are amazing at their craft. I would highly recommend them to anyone looking for a beautiful kitchen done by a professional and reliable team. Their ability to listen and execute the fine details, creating a beautiful end product is what make them stand out from the pack! Keep up the great work, Sutcliffe Kitchens!

Cheryl Roth

11:56 10 Jan 20

We recently moved and decided we wanted to make some changes to the kitchen. We asked friends and family members if they were aware of a reliable, service oriented company. Sutcliffe Kitchens was the name mentioned most often. Service, Service, Service. From our first meeting with Lisa to the install with Kevin and Tracey, professionalism, assistance and perfection were the obvious priority. The smallest change and critiquing the placement of the cabinets and counter tops were handled effortlessly. Sutcliffe Kitchens has succeeded in changing the phrase…. “Service is a thing of the past”. We are so pleased with our renovation and would recommend Sutcliffe Kitchens without hesitation.

S. Anderson

11:34 04 May 21

We are just wrapping up our kitchen renovation completed with Sutcliffe Kitchens. If there was a 10 star option, I'd choose that. Full compliments to Miranda, who was our designer, who listened and asked lots of questions to fully understand our vision and then brought it to life. Throughout the process she was always available for questions, small changes and spent an afternoon with us at suppliers. During the reno process she was always available to answer questions from our contractors who were prepping the work area. I can't possibly imagine being disappointed if you have the opportunity to work with her. This process was smooth, relaxing, enjoyable and the finished product is beyond what we would have imagined when we started the process. Big thanks to the whole Sutcliffe team and make sure you check in with them if you're doing a kitchen project!

Tamara Amabile

16:56 25 Oct 21

We did a full gut and remodel of our kitchen. Our house is a century farm home and there were challenges to get everything we wanted in these old walls. Miranda was amazing. She really helped us to bring our kitchen to life. The drawings were detailed and helped us visualize what it was we wanted and her suggestions were pratical and inspiring. Getting to see the hardware, cupboards and counter top in person, at their beautiful showroom, was fantastic. They helped us create a one of a kind island topper and matching floating shelves, that really personalize the space. The installers were wonderful. Polite and effcient craftspeople. Our kitchen came in on time and on budget!

Dennis Lever

19:05 28 Oct 21

Kitchen and bath reno in 2020 Sutcliffe Kitchen and Sutcliffe Renovations We selected Sutcliffe based on the quality in showroom, willingness to listen to our requirements that was reflected in the design and the excellent working relationship they both demonstrated during the quote process. This excellent relationship was clearly demonstrated during the project. Lisa (Sutcliffe Kitchen) turned a dull and dark old kitchen area into a bright and well organized new kitchen and also did a great job on our separate pantry and laundry room. They were all excellent to work with, Lisa, Sean and Tracey on the kitchen and Ryan, Jake and Brad on the renovation construction. The workmanship was excellent and everyone followed through on commitments. Any delays were usually created by us due to our Covid cautions. They also kept to a rough timetable that was provided and this really helped us understand where we were and what was coming. The fact that this project could be accomplished on time and during a pandemic is a testament to their organization skills and excellent working relationships with their suppliers and trades. We would definitely recommend them.

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