8 best types of materials for kitchen countertops in Malaysia

Explore the pros and cons of the different types of kitchen countertops for your next home improvement project. Whether you’re looking for granite countertop, laminate countertop, quartz countertop or wood countertop, you should go for the one that fits your home best. Here are 8 best types of top kitchen table top materials for all homeowners.

The kitchen countertop, or some of you may call it kitchen table top, is certainly the centrepiece of your brand new kitchen. Finding the perfect countertop for your new home means balancing durability, aesthetics, and cost. Then, there’s also the other criteria for picking the material for your kitchen table top. Who knew there could be so many?!

In this article, we will be focusing on the most popular materials for kitchen table top in a Malaysian household. These will hopefully aid you in comparing and learning more about the pros and cons of each material on your kitchen island and which fits your kitchen design best.

We weigh the pros and cons of each of them, along with providing a rough cost estimate to help make your dream kitchen a reality. Here are 8 of the best countertop options for a Malaysian household.

Note: The costs of the materials vary depending on the size, thickness and quality of slab. Prices mentioned here does not include the cost of installation.

1. Granite table top

Made of pure, solid stone, granite countertop is one of the most common and preferred countertop materials because it’s solid, durable, and long-lasting. As it’s made of natural stone, you can be sure that no two pieces of granite will look the same—so you’ll definitely own a one-of-a-kind centrepiece in your kitchen. Expect granite table top to be very heat-resistant, up to temperatures hotter than your stove. However, that doesn’t mean you should place hot pans straight from the stove and onto the countertop without a trivet. It’s also quite the hardy material—it’s difficult to unintentionally break, scratch, or crack.

While there are a number of colour options for granite, it’s definitely not as many as quartz. To ensure the longevity of granite, you will need to apply sealant, though not as often as you would need to on marble.

Select granite table top with a more natural stone look that doesn’t break the bank as much as marble or quartz.

Price: Between RM10 to RM500 per sq ft

2. Marble countertop

Other than being super trendy, most people are also attracted to the unique veined patterns of marble countertop. Similar to granite, you’ll never have two exact patterns. This natural stone will really allow your kitchen island to pop, especially when paired with similar colour hues for the shelves and cabinets.

In contrast to granite, however, marble is not as durable. It’s soft and porous, so it must be sealed often to protect it from damage. One mistake with a knife while preparing dinner and you’ll have a permanent scratch on your beautiful marble countertop. Always use a cutting board when preparing food on this kitchen top. Liquids can also leave permanent stains if not cleaned fast enough.

Pick marble if you are a fan of the unique veined patterns only marble can provide, but be wary of its porous surface. You’ll need to constantly maintain it in order to protect the countertop surface.

Price: Between RM20 to RM250/sq ft

3. Quartz stone table top

Unlike granite or marble, engineered quartz countertop is actually a manmade countertop material that mixes natural quartz with a variety of materials (some companies say it’s resin, others claim it’s broken granite, marble, or glass). The inclusion of quartz crystals into the materials make quartz kitchen table top inarguably more beautiful than granite or marble, with many different colours and styles available to choose from. And because it’s manmade, it’s more durable and scratch-resistant. It has a non-porous countertop surface so you will never have to worry about permanent stains.

On the other hand, quartz stone table top is premium, which means that they are more expensive than any other countertop material. But for the price, you’re paying for long-lasting quality. Choose quartz countertop if you have the budget to go for the very best. With the number of colour options available, you should be able to create your desired dream kitchen.

Price: Between RM70 to RM600+/sq ft

4. Concrete countertop

This isn’t the same concrete mix used to build houses, roads or sidewalks. Concrete kitchen countertops are thoroughly polished and can be dyed, curved or stamped to give it texture. As it’s a heavy material to work with, concrete kitchen counter are cast from the ground up in your kitchen – good if you have to work around certain limitations in your kitchen design and space.

Price: From RM50 per sq ft

5. Laminate countertop

For those with a tight budget, plastic laminate countertop can mimic the colours and textures of natural materials like granite but with a cheaper price tag. It’s usually composed of resin, textile and/or fabric sheets although this varies between manufacturers. It’s easy to clean and holds up well under your kitchen island. Just be careful not to hack the surface when chopping vegetables.

Price: From RM50 per sq ft

6. Stainless steel countertop

If you prefer an industrial look for your kitchen, stainless steel is the way to go. This heat resistant material can be constructed according to your specifications for a seamless kitchen table top. It’s the go-to material of choice for restaurant kitchens, so it should work just as well for your home.

Price: From RM250 per sq ft

7. Solid surface table top

Made from thick synthetic acrylic layers and stone-derived materials, solid countertops offer a great option for a maintenance-free countertop. It might not be as tough as quartz, but solid surface is easily repairable and fits well in any kitchen design. Any scratches or burns can be scrubbed or sanded away. A solid surface countertop can be installed with no visible seams.

Price: From RM150 per sq ft

8. Wood countertop (butcher block countertop)

Wood is a timeless kitchen counter material (it’s also known as butcher block countertop). This countertop offers your kitchen a rustic, warm vibe and is able to match just about any design you have in mind. Plus, wood has its own natural vein patterns that make no two countertops look the same. The only problem with wood is that it can be expensive because it’s not as readily available as stone.

Price: From RM200 per sq ft