Many Ottawa home owners are asking about neolith kitchen countertops. It’s a newer material that has many advantages and disadvantages we’ll examine here.

Choosing the right kitchen countertop material can be one of the most challenging parts of a kitchen renovation. With options such as quartz, concrete, marble, granite and laminate all possessing their own unique benefits, this step of the design process can often take some long consideration, and then reconsideration, for home designers and homeowners.

What are neolith kitchen countertops?

Neolith countertops are created by subjecting the materials required in its creation (clay, silica, mineral oxides, feldspar) to extreme heat and pressure until they form one solid piece. Known as sintering, this process allows solid materials to come together into one strong mass using high amounts of heat but stopping just short of melting or liquification. This process also allows neolith to offer some distinct advantages as a kitchen countertop once in its final form.

Is neolith the same as granite?

No. Neolith is a different material than granite and it also behaves differently when faced with stain causing foods like red wine. Specifically, neolith is waterproof and will not stain because it is not porous like granite and marble. As such, neolith does not require the periodic sealing that granite requires, and it also gives homeowners the peace of mind that they can have spills on their kitchen countertops and that these will wipe clean with a damp cloth. This difference gives neolith a distinct advantage over granite for kitchen applications because while sealing helps to preserve granite, it does not make it waterproof.

Neolith vs. quartz countertops

The main difference between neolith and quartz countertops is that neolith will not damage when exposed to hot cooking tools such as pots or pans placed onto the countertop. Because quartz is made using a resin, this material can experience damage if extreme heat comes into contact with the surface.

In addition, the color in a quartz countertop can possibly fade over time if exposed to the damaging UV rays of the sun. If your kitchen experiences a lot of natural light and sunshine, this may be a pivotal factor to weigh during your kitchen design.

Neolith countertops for outdoor kitchens

Due to the aforementioned ability of neolith to resist UV rays, it is a dependable choice for homeowners who are looking to create an outdoor kitchen with a countertop that will be exposed to long periods of sunshine. For winter climates such as Ottawa, neolith is also resistant to low temperatures and freezing and will maintain its look and durability throughout the winter. As such, it makes for a good choice for outdoor kitchens in residential and commercial applications.

Disadvantages of neolith kitchen countertops

While there are many advantages to neolith as a countertop material, there are also some key disadvantages to keep in mind before making your final kitchen countertop choice for your home renovation.

First, neolith makes for a difficult installation and may cost more to install due to the fact that the slab and edges are prone to damage prior to being secured.

In addition, overhangs for kitchen countertops made of 12mm thick neolith are capped at 6 inches. The material becomes vulnerable past this point. This is crucial information since overhangs are very popular in today’s kitchen renovations, especially for homeowners that are looking to make bar-top style choices where additional seating and stools can be placed under a large kitchen island overhang.  This is especially noteworthy since the average overhang for stool seating is at least 12 inches.