Clients come to Maryland Wood Countertops when they’re looking for kitchen countertops that make a statement. Wood’s versatility is one of the reasons that the material stands out among different types of countertops.
The Most Common Types of Countertops
Some of the most popular countertop materials are:
- Laminate
- Solid surface
- Tile
- Natural and engineered stone
- Stainless steel
- Wood
Laminate is the most familiar countertop material. The fact that it’s inexpensive is a pro and a con. It’s affordable, but notorious for cracking and for splitting at the edges. Laminate comes in many colors, but those colors fade over time from sunlight and cleaning chemicals.
Solid surface countertops are a step up from laminate. An acrylic material, these countertops can look nice, but they scratch and chip easily.
The biggest problems with tile are cracking and dirty grout. Dropping a pan can crack tile, and then you have to replace it. Grout also cracks and it gets dingy over time from grease and spilled food. You always end up re-grouting or paying for professional cleaning.
Granite and marble are both natural stone, while quartz countertops are made from engineered stone. Not only are these options expensive, but all stone can crack and chip, leading to pricey repairs. While both of these options initially look beautiful, stone also develops dull, rough spots that are difficult to fix.
Dedicated chefs sometimes choose stainless steel for their kitchens. While it’s a serviceable material, it creates a cold and impersonal look.
Choosing the Right Types of Countertops for Your Home
Wood and reclaimed wood are growing in popularity. Our clients love the fact that they can customize everything about their countertops, including the wood type. Wood countertops are durable, easy to clean and add value to your home.
We build standard countertops, butcher block surfaces and bar tops. When you choose wood for your countertops, your wood design options include:
- Wood species
- New lumber or reclaimed lumber
- Wood construction style
- Unique finishes
- Edges
These are just some of the benefits of choosing wood countertops handmade in Arbutus, Maryland. You also get to work directly with our award-winning design team, as they’ll help you decide what type of countertops best meet your needs.
Types of Wood, New or Reclaimed Wood and Construction Styles
At Maryland Wood Countertops, you can choose from our vast selection of wood options. Some of our most popular include:
We carry popular domestic lumber, exotic woods and reclaimed wood. Our inventory of reclaimed wood changes day to day. Call us to find out what we have in stock. It may take time for us to find the right wood for your project.
The construction style you choose depends on the type of countertops you want and your budget. Solid slab is the most expensive style and works best for islands, tables and bars. Live edge slabs are great for kitchen bar tops.
Edge grain and end grain are both styles of butcher block. Edge grain is preferred for food preparation because it actually protects blades. It’s also the less expensive of the two.
The finishing oil we use depends on whether you’re going to prepare food directly on your countertops.
The simplest countertop edge styles are the most popular. We offer several simple and decorative styles to suit all our clients.
With so many types of countertops available, it can be hard to choose the best one for your kitchen. Call Maryland Wood Countertops today at 443-840-7373 to schedule a design consultation.