The most resistant bar countertops

At Cosentino we have been advising the best bars and restaurants on their bar countertops for decades, providing consultancy services for surfaces like Silestone, Dekton and Sensa.

There are, undoubtedly, some bar countertops that live long in our memories. It is a key feature that defines the style of any bar or restaurant and is commonly the most important area, as it is where there is most interaction with customers. That is why a lot of care must be taken over its design.

In this article we tell you everything you need to know if you want to create an iconic and memorable bar countertop.

Bar countertop materials

When selecting your bar countertop there is a huge choice of cladding options available, and you need to assess which is the best option for you based on the style of your project.

• High-performance bar countertops made from Silestone and Dekton: the easy maintenance and the endless design possibilities are just some of the significant advantages that these surfaces have over other surfaces and architectural solutions. 
• Natural stone bar countertops: these add a lot of character and class to any establishment. With Sensa from Cosentino, there is a variety of unique natural stone choices that are full of character, like Vancouver, Orinoco and White Macaubas, and they all come with a revolutionary non-stain protection.
• Wooden bar countertops: wood is a material that provides natural warmth to any space, it also comes with a range of stylistic options including rustic, vintage, or more modern designs depending on the shape and cladding used on the bar.
• Stainless steel bar countertops: this material has been used in bars and breweries for decades due to its main advantage over other surfaces: hygiene. It is still one of the most popular materials used in the catering sector and gives a more industrial look.

Tiled bar countertops: these come in a wide range of colors and formats, giving a classic vintage look to any establishment.

Silestone for bar countertops

At Cosentino we recommend using Silestone for bar countertops, due to the high technical and esthetic features this surface offers.

• The compactness of Silestone surfaces, and their premium hybrid and recycled materials mean that they are highly resistant to any type of stain, preventing these from penetrating the surface and making their daily maintenance quick and simple.
• High scratch resistance. Daily use and wear and tear will not result in Silestone being scratched.
• High shock resistance.
• Acid resistant, due to its low porosity.
• Wide range of colors, meaning it can be adapted to any interior design style. We have around one hundred colors to choose from, so you can find your ideal look.

These are the reasons why Silestone is the most commonly used compact design surface chosen for kitchen countertops. 

Dekton for bar countertops

Our highly compact Dekton surface is another of the fantastic options available from Cosentino for bar designs.

The primary benefits of Dekton over other surfaces are:

• It is available as a large format panel, reducing the number of joints and making maintenance and cleaning simpler. 
• Dekton is resistant to temperature changes and can be exposed to temperatures of up to 572ºF.
• Its high resistance to changing temperature and UV rays makes it the ideal surface for outdoor bars.

It also shares many of the same features of Silestone, like high shock, scratch, and stain resistance.

How to keep a bar countertop in perfect condition

Depending on the surface selected for your bar countertop, different care and upkeep is required. For example, if you have gone for a classic stainless steel bar top, we recommend using baking soda, vinegar, and lemon juice to get the best shine on your surface.

If, on the other hand, you have selected a wooden bar, you need to use the right cleaning products so as not to damage this delicate material, these include vinegar or neutral soap. In terms of regular maintenance, the bar should be sanded once every couple of years and then painted and varnished to keep it looking fresh.

Silestone and Dekton surfaces do not require any maintenance other than regular cleaning, following these simple steps:

• Apply neutral soap to the treated area and softly rub in a circular motion, using a damp microfiber sponge.
• Leave for a few minutes and wipe with a cloth to remove any surplus soap. Then dry with a paper towel.

You can also use Q-Action, a specially designed cleaner for the hygiene and deep cleaning of your kitchen countertops. It contains self-drying components and natural soaps.

For stubborn stains like wine, coffee, or food coloring, with Silestone you can use 15% diluted bleach and water, apply, and leave for a maximum of 2 minutes. In the case of Dekton, you just need to use detergent and lightly scrub.