5 Countertop Options for Older Homes

I have recently been obsessively reading about countertops, only to look around the realize that I also have a lot of first hand experience with a variety of countertop options. We have butchers block counters in the Beach Cabin kitchen. A lovely quartzite graces the countertop on the lower level dry bar. The dresser turned vanity at the Beach Cabin has quartz countertops. We have had both polished and honed marble countertops in our Colonial Home. Earlier this summer, I was able to go with friends to shop around for a new island counter for their kitchen. We learned quite a bit about quartz and dolomite. Read on to learn what conclusions I’ve made.

*PLEASE NOTE: this is only our personal experience with these types of countertops. Different slabs will react differently. For example, even though we are able to wipe coffee rings from our marble countertops hours later, this may not necessarily be the case for all slabs of marble.

Countertop Options: Polished Marble

(Please excuse the old and grainnny photos!) I’ll just start by being completely honest. Polished Marble is GORGEOUS! I think it is the perfect match for older homes… if you take care of it properly… Our stone guy barely let us try honed marble based on our treatment of polished marble. Polished marble is a showstopper. It reflects light, creating that bright and airy kitchen feel. It is probably not the best for young families rushing through cooking dinners, hosting family birthday parties, and making citrus-y drinks. Without proper upkeep – resealing, etc- it can look worn quickly. Etchings, chips, and citrus stains are real.

Countertop Options: Honed Marble

 

If you have your heart set on marble (raises two hands), honed marble is a much better option. All of the above mistakes can be categorized as a nice patina (with the exception of citrus- that is the one thing that I quickly wipe up before it soaks in). While never on purpose, our countertops have had hours long red wine rings or coffee drops that wipe up fairly easily with soap and water. Chipping is a real thing, so the bump of a plate on the edge can result in a small chip. Scooting plates across the counters can also leave scratching. This all makes marble sound incredibly finicky. And I suppose it does require more attention that some other types of countertops. I’m sure you’ve heard this argument before, but it warrants saying again. Marble is present throughout Europe, it is in beautiful bars and restaurants throughout the world, and it lasts. I will argue forever that there is nothing quite like natural stone.

Countertop Options: Butcher’s Block

 

We have Butcher’s Block in our Beach Cabin kitchen. I *think* we are supposed to be maintaining it in a way I have already forgotten. That said, aside from a few areas that were kind of wonky to begin with, it has really held up so well. Should you use Butcher’s Block without a cutting board? Not really. Unless that is the look you are going for, then go for it! The counters will show your slice marks so, for us, I am of the constant-cutting-board reminders type. We have not had any ring marks left from glasses or coffee spills. No chipping with Butcher’s Block countertops is another mark in the PRO category.

Countertop Options: Quartzite

Quartzite is also a natural stone and is oh so lovely. Ours is Mykonos and we also had considered Taj Mahal. I was so excited for our slab! And have been really disappointed. Again, this is not the case with all quartzite slabs. What I had heard previous to our personal experience was that is was more durable and easy to maintain than marble. I do think that this is the case as far as etching and chipping go. However, our slab shows almost every single drink ring from sweating bottles and cans. It has also soaked up an olive oil stain. Despite having been sealed by the installers and then re-sealed by us, it still is showing marks. This slab likely needs several more sealer applications. We will see. In the meantime, I’ll just be hovering around wiping up all the spills asap. Lol. -ish.

Countertops Options: Quartz

Quartz is dur-a-ble! We have quartz countertops in our loft bathroom. (The marble we had intended broke when being cut.) While it does not get a ton of use, it really still looks the exact same as the day it was installed. I wish-wish I could remember what kind of quartz we used because it is really subtle and lovely (and as close to marble as I think one can get). Quartz is a great choice for busy families who want low maintenance, little worry countertops, especially if you have a lot of sus chefs in your family. It is also wonderful for carefree entertaining and easy clean up. I definitely support a quartz countertop choice.

That’s All for Now!

Hopefully this was helpful as you choose countertops for your own homes. If you have any experience with the above options, please share in the COMMENTS section. I would love to try Dolomite countertops sometime, but cannot think of another place in our Colonial Home or the Beach Cabin that needs a countertop currently.