For years granite has been the only counter top surface acceptable in high-end homes. Granite’s beauty and functionality has helped prove this stone’s value and classic staying power. Recently though, with many developers and homeowners tiring of seeing granite in every home, new countertop materials have made breakout appearances on the kitchen design scene.

New production techniques have made many other materials, such as glass and quartz, just as resilient and beautiful as granite without giving homeowners “granite fatigue”. Granite, formerly only seen in ultra-high-end homes due to its high price has become increasingly available in consumer outlets, like home-improvement stores. The luxury homeowner often looks for the newest and rarest in home design in order to set their multi-million dollar pad apart from the one sitting next door. Many kitchen designers have turned to rare materials like lava stone, stainless steel and glass to set their client’s kitchens apart.

Lava stone which is harvested from volcanoes in France, is not only extremely different in looks, but can be textured and colored to match the home’s décor. Lava stone is heat, stain and scratch resistant, making its costly price tag worth it for use in a busy kitchen. Glass surfaces have been gaining popularity for both their beauty and clean look. Many glass countertops are lighted from underneath, adding an ambient glow to kitchens. Glass is easy to clean, a huge plus in today’s germ-a-phobe society. Stainless steel holds the same appeal; first popularized in restaurant kitchens and on appliances, the gleam of a stainless steel countertop is becoming increasingly popular in residential kitchens. New textures and finishes have fixed the problem of fingerprints and scratches making stainless a beautiful and durable option.  

The eco trend has made its way into kitchen surfaces as well, with the production of recycled glass and even wax-covered recycled paper countertops appearing in green-homes.

Granite countertops, while decreasing in popularity, won’t be going away anytime soon though. They have proved their staying power as a classic. The newer options have yet to be more than trend, and due to their high price tags they may stay just that.   

Blog via Sun Sentinel Homes Blog  Photo via Capital Sheet Metal