Tile Countertops vs Engineered Stone

Deciding on the right kind of countertop requires great prudence. And the right decision lies in weighing the needs and requirements specific to you.

When you are stuck between the choice of what material to use for a countertop, a good idea is to decide on the right one only after thoroughly considering the pros and cons.

Q: Tile countertops versus engineered stone design are what we are stuck on. We can’t seem to agree between one and the other. We’ve seen both of these and have really liked them however the cost is the limiting factor. This home remodeling project is very important to us. This is the first home that we are setting up together. I want tile countertops on all the counters and the breakfast island. We are almost decided and a wee bit inclined towards engineered stone.

Could you please let us know the differences between the two including the pros and cons? This will enable us to take an informed decision and not get swayed by looks alone.

A: Both the options that you are considering are good enough. However, the ultimate decision can be made after taking into consideration their pros and cons. Let us look at tiles first…

Why lots of our customers prefer tiles is because it is not only extremely durable but easy to clean too. This is the most preferred material for average family homes. Also, tiles can be done in sections.

Therein, if you are not keen to do up the whole place at one go, you could even do it in sections. It is good to do the whole thing at one time. The thing with tiles is that you can keep all your hot pans and pots on it without any worry. There won’t be any mark or stain left behind. It is easy to clean and comes to the buyer in the widest choice possible.

Whatever color, design or texture that you might have in your mind for your countertop, you can turn that into a reality with the use of the right tiles. The disadvantages are that the grout lines around the tiles become stained and are extremely uneven. If you opt for custom designed ones then they will turn out to be quite expensive. Another thing with tiles is that they can be easily chipped or cracked. The home owner needs to be quite careful whilst using them.

Moving on to your next option, engineered stone, it is resistant to stains of any kind including acidic ones. Therefore, it is a material that is easy to take care of and maintain. However, it is one of the most expensive of materials to be used for countertops. The good thing is that you can get them in the most varied of colors to match with any kind of theme decor at home. There are several brands such as DuPont, Silestone and Cambria Quartz that market these engineered stones.

Whatever your decision, base it on the specific requirements.