US Countertops

Report Overview

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Through 2026, demand for countertops in the US is forecast to rise 4.4% per year to 1.1 billion square feet valued at $56.8 billion, boosted by:

• increasing residential kitchen and bathroom remodeling, as well as consumer willingness to trade up to more expensive materials such as granite and engineered stone to improve home values
• trends favoring larger kitchens and multiple bathrooms
• increasing interest in outdoor kitchens, islands, and wet bars
• elevated housing construction and rising commercial building construction

Engineered Stone Surpasses Laminate as the Most Popular Countertop Material

In 2021, engineered stone surpassed laminate to become the most used countertop material in the US, marking the first time in decades that laminate was not the most popular countertop material.

Going forward, engineered stone will continue to expand its market share to account for 36% of countertop demand in area terms, which growth stemming from trends of the last decade. The rapid increase in low-cost slabs from foreign markets – particularly China, India, Turkey, and Vietnam – made engineered stone countertops more affordable for middle-class homeowners. As prices for engineered stone decreased as color availability expanded, consumers became much more willing to purchase higher cost countertops and grew to strongly prefer the aesthetics and quality of engineered stone over laminates.

Demand for Porcelain Slab Countertops to Grow Robustly

Similar to the rapid advances seen for engineered stone during the past decade, porcelain slab has grown robustly since 2016 and is expected to be the fastest growing countertop material in the US through 2026. Porcelain slab is rapidly rising in popularity as consumers seek alternatives to engineered stone and granite. These consumers want to differentiate their homes but still install countertops with a natural appearance and favorable performance properties, such as:

• stain resistance in both indoor and outdoor settings, as well as heat and frost resistance, which makes porcelain a top choice for outdoor kitchens
• greater strength and durability when compared to granite
• absence of discoloration or color change issues
• wide variety of finishes, patterns, and colors available from manufacturers
• easy-to-clean, hygienic surface

Single-Family Kitchen & Bathroom Remodeling Continues To Drive Countertops Market

Single-family kitchen and bathroom remodeling continues to drive market trends, with countertop replacement still one of the most popular home remodeling projects. Homeowners trade up from laminates and solid surface to more natural looking (and expensive) materials such as engineered stone, porcelain slab, and butcher block countertops as an effective way to quickly change the appearance of their homes to align with new trends. The relative ease of countertop replacement – combined with wood shortages – provided a boost to the countertop market even during the COVID pandemic.

Demand Overview (Square Feet & Market Value)

In volume terms, demand for countertops is forecast to advance 4.4% annually to 1.1 billion square feet in 2026. Gains will be fueled by:

• a rise in the average share of housing space devoted to kitchens and bathrooms in new housing
• continued homeowner investment in renovations as home values increase

Through 2026, demand for countertops in value terms is projected to rise 8.0% annually to $56.8 billion. Advances in market value will be stimulated by:

• an ongoing product mix shift toward more costly high-end materials such as natural and engineered stone
• rising popularity of niche countertop materials such as concrete, porcelain slab, and stainless steel, which command higher average prices than more common surface materials

Materials Overview

Square Feet

Countertop demand is projected to increase 4.4% annually to 1.1 billion square feet in 2026. Following a surge in demand during the 2011-2021 period as the material’s popularity rose with middle-income consumers, demand for engineered stone countertops is projected to continue to grow at a strong pace, supported by:

• a growing preference for the material among consumers seeking an aesthetically pleasing alternative to laminates
• the increasing availability of the products domestically

Laminate countertops will continue to lose share to engineered and natural stone due to:

• consumer preferences for more natural looking surfaces
• natural and engineered stone’s resistance to scratching and burning
• homeowners willing to upgrade to higher value countertops during kitchen renovations, as countertops remain the most popular kitchen remodeling project

However, laminates will remain popular, particularly among budget-conscious consumers in both the residential and commercial markets, due to their favorable performance characteristics at affordable price points. Product developments providing a more stone-like appearance, such as high-definition graphics and complex edges, will also help to maintain ongoing levels of demand, particularly in the residential market.

Demand for porcelain slab countertops is projected to grow at the fastest rate, as consumers are becoming aware of their superior durability, stain resistance, and the wide range of colors available for these products.