Indian families have a habit of cooking every day. Kitchen countertops hence need to suit the heavy Indian cooking habit. While there are so many different varieties of countertops here are the top few countertops that I have suggested to some of our clients. Finding the right material, which is durable, long lasting are very important factors that influence the purchase. Very simple factor like withstanding the stain from cooking ingredients like turmeric is also important to consider before making the choice.
Indian food typically requires a lot of work to get the taste that it deserves. While this process takes a lot of time during cooking, the cleaning process is typically very cumbersome. The cleaning starts from the cutting and preparation work all the work to getting all the dishes ready. The colour of the countertop is a big factor to consider. Lighter colours and very dark colours usually will highlight the stains for months. Stone based countertops are better than metals as metal trap heat and will create more heat within the room. Hence picking the right countertop that suits the Indian cooking while at the same time looks modern and elegant is a difficult choice to make. Here are a few kitchens countertop options to choose from considering the challenges above.
Granite Countertop
Granite countertops fit Indian kitchen much better. There are colour choices available in the local market generally all over India. Black colour is a preferred choice but there are many different other darker colours like dark green that may also suit your needs. There are a few variants like galaxy which has shiny finishes that may look elegant. Granite is a natural stone and comes with its own advantages and disadvantages. Granite is hard enough to resist abrasion, strong enough to bear significant weight, inert enough to resist weathering, and it accepts a brilliant polish. These characteristics make it a very desirable and useful dimension stone. Once you have installed it, you have absolutely nothing to worry about. It is ideal for a busy kitchen that sees a lot of rough use. Since it is easy to clean and maintain, you can even chop straight on the granite and clean it off. Granite is scratch and stain proof and retains its shine for years. The disadvantage of granite countertop is that granite is porous and hence can catch stains over a long period of time if not cleaned regularly. Colour choices are also limited.
Quartz Countertop
Quartz is an engineered stone made from ground-up particles of quartz bound together with resin. In most quartz countertops, 10% quartz is present. The other 90 percent could be crushed up waste granite, marble, and natural stone or recycled industrial wastes, such as ceramic, silica, glass, and mirrors. Quartz has all the qualities of granite but requires tad bit of maintenance and caution especially when you are using very hot utensils in the kitchen. Hot pans and pots can be kept on the counter but not for long otherwise they may leave burn marks. It is not porous as granite or marble and thus will not absorb liquids. Stain resistance is must higher and the choice of colours is great in Quartz. The disadvantages are they are not a natural stone and cannot withstand heat as much as granite, they are also more expensive because many vendors force you to buy a single stone of 50 sft block where wastage could be higher, and the labor charges are also usually high.
Marble Countertop
Marble is also a natural stone just like granite. Marble comes in a broad range of colours but not as good as Quartz. Marble lasts long and is easy to maintain comparatively. Marble is considered high end and it comes with its own charm and sophistication. But what usually arouses people about marble countertops is the veining. Great for Cooking: Marble remains cool naturally, which makes it a great surface for baking or other cooking. Here are some disadvantages. Marble is also porous and can absorb liquid stains. It cannot handle hot utensils as it is not completely heat resistant. Refrain from placing hot pots and pans directly on marble countertops. So, for the Indian heavy cooking on a daily basis, marble might not be the best bet.
Corian Countertop
A Corian countertop can make your kitchen stand out with its charm. Corian is a durable material, but in terms of heat resistance and scratch resistance it is less preferred than quartz or granite. The look of a Corian kitchen will be simply superb. It is still a popular choice especially for office pantry areas, display kitchens, where cooking is not as intense. Corian is robust, durable, waterproof, UV resistant and very suitable for fully exposed outdoor kitchens. If kitchen trends are important to you, you'll be happy to know that Corian is still considered one of the most popular solid-surface countertop options. Here are some disadvantages. In terms of durability, Corian tends to be more easily damaged by hot surfaces than natural stone. It's also more prone to scratches than surfaces like quartz and granite. You will need to be extra careful if you prefer to use Corian countertops for Indian cooking.
Conclusion
In terms of popularity, the top choice of most homeowners is still traditional granite since these countertops offer a high-end look that adds to your kitchen's value while providing a durable prep surface.
In terms of durability, Quartz takes the first place. Quartz countertops have become incredibly popular and for good reason.
In terms of high end countertops, marble tops the most-expensive list due in large part to its elegant looks.
There are other countertops that are available in the market including the following: