6 Countertop Myths You Can Finally Ditch Before Your Next Remodel
It’s common to feel surrounded by competing opinions and overwhelming inspiration when choosing kitchen countertops. Here, we clear up six widespread countertop beliefs with authoritative insights—so your renovation journey is guided by proven expertise from start to finish.
Myth #1: Natural Stone Needs Constant Sealing (and Still Stains)
What People Think: Warnings abound that granite or marble “soaks up coffee, wine, lemon juice… everything!” and that you’ll need to reseal constantly to avoid discoloration.
What’s Actually True: Modern sealers—like Tenax Proseal or Miracle Sealants 511—form a barrier that typically lasts two to five years. With proper care using the right cleaners (for example, Simple Green Stone Cleaner) and professional-grade finishes, your surfaces stay well-protected. Some honed or leathered finishes even develop a unique, attractive character over time.
Our Approach: We prepare surfaces with commercial-grade sealers and advanced finishing methods. Scheduled, expert maintenance ensures your countertops retain their beauty with ease.
Myth #2: Engineered Quartz Never Looks “Real”
What People Think: Quartz always appears uniform with artificial patterns and cannot match the character of natural stone.
What’s Actually True: Today’s top manufacturers produce quartz surfaces featuring realistic veining, crystal highlights, and elegant accents. A Calacatta-inspired slab, for instance, can rival genuine marble in appearance while offering superior stain and heat resistance.
Our Assurance: You’ll have direct access to premium slabs and our experienced eye for design compatibility. Every option is vetted for quality and aesthetics—eliminating guesswork and second-guessing.
Myth #3: Splashy Edges and Huge Islands Mean Big Bills and Big Delays
What People Think: Features like waterfall edges or oversized kitchen islands are notoriously expensive and cause extensive project delays.
What’s Actually True: With precise countertop measurements set early and coordinated planning, waterfall edges and inlays are smoothly incorporated. Strategic sourcing often yields added value you won’t find through retail channels.
Effortless Results: Because we manage everything from design to installation, your project benefits from seamless efficiency—delivering stunning features on time and within scope.
Companies such as Countertops and More often manage these details to ensure the best outcomes.
Myth #4: Tile Counters and Grout = Mold City
What People Think: Tile counters—with all their grout lines—inevitably collect grime and become difficult to maintain.
What’s Actually True: Large-format porcelain slabs and advanced epoxy grouts (like Mapei Ultracolor Plus) minimize grout lines and boost stain resistance. Expertly sealed edges create a continuous, clean surface that resists moisture.
Professional Solution: We choose materials and installation methods for maximum durability and low maintenance—so mold and grime become non-issues.
Myth #5: You Have to Gut the Whole Kitchen or Bath to Make It Look New
What People Think: A modern update is impossible without a full renovation—walls, cabinets, everything.
What’s Actually True: Simply upgrading surfaces—replacing counters with premium stone or quartz and updating select hardware—can revitalize your space without gutting the room.
Seamless Makeovers: With precise templating and installation, we can preserve your existing layout and fixtures. You get a refreshed look with minimal disruption.
Countertops and More has helped many homeowners with projects like this.
Myth #6: Pick Cabinets and Paint Before Countertops—or You’ll Regret It
What People Think: “First choose your paint, then your cabinets, and then your counters—anything else is asking for mismatched finishes.”
What’s Actually True: Locking in paint and cabinet colors first can limit countertop options and complicate coordination.
Our Expert Sequence: We recommend selecting your countertop first. Our decades of material-pairing expertise set the foundation for cabinets, tile, and paint—creating a harmonious remodel flow.
Takeaways & Expectations
Countertops are the anchor of any kitchen or bath update. Modern sealers, advanced tile solutions, and engineered stone provide durable, beautiful results with minimal care required. Rely on expert planning and sequencing to define your project’s path and enjoy a seamless, worry-free renovation from concept to completion.
- Modern sealers and high-performance materials minimize maintenance and maximize protection.
- Engineered quartz and large-format slabs can match—or exceed—the beauty and durability of natural stone.
- Strategic planning and the right sequence (counters first!) streamline timelines and prevent costly delays.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often do I need to reseal natural stone countertops?
With modern commercial-grade sealers, you typically reseal every two to five years. Proper cleaning and professional finishes keep resealing infrequent and straightforward.
Will quartz countertops look fake compared to marble?
Not today. Top quartz manufacturers offer realistic veining and textures—often indistinguishable from natural stone—while providing enhanced stain and heat resistance.
Do I have to remodel my entire kitchen to update countertops?
No. Upgrading just the countertops and select hardware can achieve a modern, refreshed look without gutting the whole space.