During the COVID-19 pandemic, the economy has slowed. However, consumer spending on home remodeling has increased by nearly 9%. Economists identify a few reasons for this increase:

• It follows a trend of ever-increasing spending on remodeling projects. For example, in 2018, consumer investment in kitchen remodels jumped by 27%.
• Consumers have money to spend on remodeling projects because they have not been able to spend on entertainment and travel during the pandemic.
• Homeowners want a comfortable home because the pandemic has forced them to spend more time there.

Kitchen remodels are consistently in the top two remodeling projects along with bathroom remodels. In kitchen remodeling, one of the most popular projects is a new countertop. A new countertop can update the entire feel of a kitchen with just one change.

Choosing a stone countertop might seem intimidating. Here are three factors to consider when choosing a stone countertop for your remodeling project:

Material

Different materials have different properties. Some of the differences include:

• Marble countertops: Marble is heat resistant. In fact, it is the surface of choice for many bakeries. However, marble is porous and can stain. Moreover, marble is not as hard as other stone surfaces, so knives can scratch it and acid can etch it.
• Granite countertops: Granite is also heat resistant. Unlike marble, granite will resist scratching and etching. However, granite is porous, so it will stain if it is not treated and maintained with sealant.
• Quartz countertops: Quartz is a manufactured product that includes stone and epoxy. Quarts comes in a wider variety of colors than natural stone materials like granite and marble. Quartz is non-porous, so it is easier to care for. Quarts is not heat resistant, but will resist scratching and etching.

Color and Pattern

The color and pattern of your stone countertop should complement your kitchen's color scheme. Quartz is available in a wider variety of colors and patterns. Bellingham quartz, for example, includes white, grey, and beige colors and matches almost any kitchen color scheme.

Patterns can also have a dramatic effect on the feel of your kitchen. Stone products with a solid or flecked pattern will feel different than a countertop with large patterns.

Finally, stone products come in a variety of finishes. Your choices will include:

• Polished: Polished will provide a highly reflective surface.
• Matte: Matte will provide a duller, satin surface.
• Rugged: Rugged will provide the most natural surface.

Cost

Different stone surfaces have different costs for materials and maintenance.

• Marble: Marble costs more than other stone surfaces. It also has a high maintenance cost because of the need for frequent cleaning and regular sealing.
• Granite: Granite is less expensive than marble but more expensive than quartz. Granite does require maintenance because it must be sealed at regular intervals. However, since granite is not as sensitive as marble, the maintenance costs are significantly less than marble's maintenance costs.
• Quartz: Quartz is the least expensive material among stone countertops. Moreover, maintenance costs for quartz are low because it is non-porous.

Stone countertops are a popular option for kitchen remodeling projects. A stone countertop can instantly create a sophisticated look and feel for a remodeled kitchen. Equally importantly, a stone countertop has a long lifespan. This means that installing a stone countertop will reduce, or even eliminate, your replacement costs since your marble, granite, or quartz countertop will last as long as your home does.