10 of The Hottest Kitchen Counter Top Materials Currently Trending

Poured concrete counters offer strength, style and are seemingly timeless in appearance. They offer a natural, organic look for those who are wanting such in their kitchens. These counters need to be sealed well, perhaps more than once, to prevent staining. Poured concrete can be tinted to be any color you wish. If sealed it is stain resistant and can be cast and poured into any shape you desire. Its appearance improved with age, as opposed to many others that start to look weathered and dingy after just a few short years. While concrete is heat resistant the sealer is not and hot pots and pans should not be placed directly on top of the concrete. Likewise, cutting boards should be used as well as chopping directly on to the concrete could damage the sealant. Concrete, requires just a little bit of maintenance and is a very desirable option at a very desirable price.

Butcher block offers a look that is elegant yet casual and environmentally friendly. Her soft surfaces mean that some maintenance is required, but nothing that will take up any significant amount of time. Cutting should be left to be done on cutting boards. A nice butcher block surface should be sealed and oiled about once a month. Cleanup is easy, requiring simply mild dish detergent and a light cloth or sponge. The only potential negative is that the surface, if not well maintained can dry or crack and excess water should always be wiped off. There are many kinds of woods with varying thicknesses available. Butcher block is another well priced option.

Reclaimed wood is all the buzz lately. What is reclaimed wood? Its simply wood that has been salvaged from older homes and barns that are about to be, or have been, slated for demolition. Reclaimed wood, simply put, is a smart and attractive option. Reclaimed offers a look  and feel that the newer butcher blocks simply can. Reclaimed wood that was used from older trees is much sturdier than the newer counterparts made from younger trees. When purchasing reclaimed wood for your kitchen you are, in effect, doing wonders for the environment. If you are concerned about the environment, want a greener feel to your kitchen and love the casual elegance that wood has to offer, you should see how you can obtain reclaimed wood products near you.

Its not just for wine anymore! Cork is a material that is growing in popularity in our kitchens. It is dense, sturdy and lightweight. It is a sustainable product  (another good choice for those of you who want environmentally friendly alternatives) that has sound-cutting properties that may appeal to mothers of noisy children world-wide! The material is resistant to water and heat and has anti-bacterial properties. Cork, it seems, is a very versatile and sensible option.

Stainless steel has an elegant, classy, sexy feel to it. It invokes the feeling of an up to date, modern, trend-setting material. These counter tops are resilient to water, heat and germs. Over time they are susceptible to dings and scratches, and these surfaces show every little finger mark, but other than a regular polish and wash, these tops require very little maintenance, making it perhaps a very sexy and smart surface!

Soapstone is a natural stone thats quarried like granite. Its a softer surface composed mainly from mineral talc, but the varieties used for kitchen counter tops are generally sturdier as they contain more quartz.  This makes it a suitable option for a kitchen surface. The color is naturally gray which darkens with age. Like stainless, this material is not impervious to dents and scratches. Soapstone has a beautiful natural grey color, offers smooth, matte feel. Scratches can be sanded or oiled away.

Pewter is actually an alloy made up of several metals. It is fairly soft and not as sturdy as say, stainless. It will show nicks and dents so one must take some care when working on this surface. It has a beautiful look and offers a more gentle look as in contrast to the more clinical look of  its stainless counterpart. Pewters dark silvery color is muted and is not brash like chrome. Because it is a softer material  it is easily shaped and stamped. A hammered antique look would mask some of the natural dents and dings that naturally occur on many kitchen surfaces. While the look of pewter is more of a traditional one, it could look right at home in a more modern or eclectic setting.