A Complete Guide to Commercial Countertops

Whether you're running a high-end restaurant or popular bar, every part serves a purpose, from your floors to the countertops. Choosing the right materials can make all the difference in your commercial space.

From establishing a chic brand to reinforcing the space with a durable finish, the U.B Hardwoods & Flooring team is here to break down all your options.

If you have been looking at upgrades or a new install, five countertop materials set the standard for quality.

What Commercial Countertop Materials Are Available?

Which material is the right one for your commercial space? There are several amazing options, and here are our top recommendations.

Slate

Slate offers a bold look and is highly adaptable to various settings. Most often, it comes in black or gray, but you can also find it with some purple and green hues for richer coloring. It has a textured and rough appearance and is ideal for environments needing moisture and heat resistance and a beautiful aesthetic.

Slate's biggest disadvantage is that it's not as customizable as other options, so your creativity is limited. It's also more prone to cracking and chipping, which requires regular resealing to keep it protected.

Laminate

Laminate combines resin and plastics attached to a vertical board and can be customized with unique designs. Its aesthetics can mimic higher-end alternatives, making it a diverse and stylish option, and it's easy to clean and lightweight for an easier installation.

While laminate is a popular choice, its material makeup makes it more prone to staining, scratches, and burns. It also doesn't hold up well against moisture and can be challenging to repair, so it's best suited to businesses that are low-traffic spaces.

Quartz

Let’s clear up some confusion with this popular countertop material! Quartz is a natural, white or colorless mineral found in nature, but quartz countertops are typically not pure quartz (unless they are quartzite – pure natural quartz).

Quartz countertops are engineered or “manmade” surfaces that are mostly quartz; Depending on the brand and color, quartz surfaces are about 70-93% quartz aggregate mixed with other materials like polyester resin, styrene, pigments, and additives. This offers a stylish and solid countertop option, with some pieces having a flecked appearance from the ground stone inside of it.

Hands down, quartz looks fantastic and comes in various colors and patterns that work well in almost any commercial environment. It's also nonporous, which makes it more durable and resistant to cracking, so it's easy to maintain and long-lasting.

As for potential drawbacks, it's no secret quartz can be a more expensive material, and it’s the heavier choice, so you need a strong foundation wherever it's installed. Also, remember that quartz countertops are not as heatproof as other choices, meaning they can be damaged with overexposure.

Cambria is our top choice for quartz countertops, because this American brand combines high-quality, pure quartz with pigments and binder to create a strong, compact countertop material with unsurpassed performance. They use exceptionally pure quartz that is sustainably harvested to craft extremely durable products that are maintenance free, never require sealing, and are built to resist chips, scratches, and stains.

A transferable Full Lifetime Warranty backs Cambria surfaces, and our financing options can help fit this surface into many budgets!

Granite

Granite is a popular choice for businesses and homeowners, and it comes with a natural gray and white swirling, which gives it a classic and clean appearance. It's an eco-friendly option because it can be recycled and long-lasting, so it maintains value more easily than other products.

Granite countertop maintenance is low since this material does not scratch easily and is heat resistant, giving you a unique and durable countertop to last through the years.

Like quartz, granite is a heavy material that needs a strong foundation, and due to its porous nature, it needs to be sealed frequently to prevent stains.

Marble

While it starts as limestone, the bands of color in thin countertop veins are created during the shaping and molding process, making it a timeless and elegant choice. It has high heat resistance and comes in many colors and designs, making it an excellent choice for bars or restaurants desiring a distinct look.

The biggest drawback with marble is that it's more porous, which makes it prone to staining; it's also a costlier option and needs frequent sealing, leaving you with more maintenance than other products.

Plymouth's Experts in Flooring & Countertop Installation

As you can see, there are several excellent choices, and if you need an expert in the business for choosing materials or a professional installation, U.B. Hardwoods & Flooring has you covered. Our Plymouth, MN business is family and w,e specialize in flooring and countertop installation and would love to help you find the right fit for your business.

We always offer a free estimate, so reach out to us online or give our local office a call at 763-807-4500 to get started.