Kitchen countertops are judged on several aspects including visual appeal, cost, resistance to spots, effects, and scratches, and their ability to tolerate the heat from hot pots and pans without ruining the surface area. Some products meet all these requirements, while others fail classifications, consisting of heat endurance when heat resistant countertops are wanted.
Laminate, Solid-Surface, and Engineered Stone
Laminate countertops have such low heat resistance that a cup of hot coffee can make them discolor or break. Solid-surface counter leading products, usually made from layers of merged acrylic, are a bit more heat-resistant but are easily harmed by hot pots and pans and will even break when exposed to incredibly cold things. Engineered-stone quartz countertops, which are made from quartz integrated with other stones, differ in heat resistance by the maker.
Granite and Other Natural Stones
Granite is one of the most heat-tolerant countertop products, mainly since its natural development depends on extremely high temperatures integrated with extremely high pressure. Pans can be drawn from the hottest oven and placed on granite countertops without leaving any marks or stains.
Quartz is highly resistant to sweltering but not as resistant to damage as granite. Other natural stones such as marble, slate, and limestone have moderate resistance to heat, so trivets or hot pads are advised for use under pots just removed from stovetops or ovens.
Soapstone Countertops Deal Granite Alternative
Soapstone countertops are much softer than granite, so they’ll reveal the wear and tear of scratches quicker. But this natural stone alternative has high heat resistance.
Terrazzo and Recycled Glass
These products are as resilient as granite in every way except heat tolerance. While they can stand up to some degree of heat, they’re prone to glazing or cracking if exceptionally hot pots are put on their surfaces and are sensitive to unexpected fluctuations in between hot and cold. The heat resistance of recycled glass is highly based on the kinds of glass utilized in the recycling procedure.
Stainless Steel, Copper, and Aluminum
Countertops made from these metals can endure a great deal of heat, and they’re easy to clean. Although the heat might cause staining, this can typically be buffed out with moderate abrasives or special metal-cleaning options. Metal countertops likewise retain heat more than other types do, so care must be taken to not put cold foods on them while warm, since this might promote the growth of damaging bacteria.
Concrete Countertops are Trending
Concrete isn’t just for your driveway anymore. Poured-concrete countertops are highly resistant to high temperatures, so hot pots, and pans can be placed on them without any possibility of damage. However, don’t fret about your counters looking like your driveway; concrete countertops are extremely adjustable with various design and color alternatives.
Other Countertop Products
Tiles made from ceramic or porcelain generally won’t split from heat but might suffer discoloration. Butcher-block countertops are just slightly resistant to hot pans and will show burn marks if extremely hot pots and pans or bakeware is put on them.