Kitchen countertops: five categorical options for beauty and durability

It can be challenging, even confusing, to find the right material for your countertops, which are the most difficult surfaces to work with in your kitchen. Also, there are considerations you need to address before choosing a countertop based on looks alone. A countertop should be durable, scratch, heat, water, stain resistant, easy to clean, and attractive. This short guide reviews five categories of materials selected for their perfect combination of practicality and beauty. There are many options for countertop natural, manufactured or engineered materials that can be installed as a solid surface or applied to a backing such as veneer.

The material you choose can affect the type of sink you want, whether it’s built-in, recessed, or bottom-mounted. A built-in sink will only work with stainless steel or solid surface materials, such as Corian. A built-in sink is the most versatile and can be used with any type of countertop material, and a bottom mount sink will also work with any material except wood.

Also consider textures and edges, as your choice of material will affect these as well. You’ll want to research all the border styles for your choice and check the sharpness and thickness of the profile.

A combination of two materials can be a solution when you are considering tasks to be performed on that countertop. While you can choose granite or ceramic for most countertops, you may want a section of wood for cutting, cutting, and slicing, or marble for spreading cakes and making candy. The combination of two materials can be incorporated into the design and provide the best solution, where one type of material is for a work area and another is for cleaning or eating. In fact, countertops affect the appearance of the entire kitchen and can make a dramatic design statement.

1. Stone: granite, marble and limestone

Granite, marble, and limestone may be the most expensive option, but they are the best option for their beauty and practicality. They will last forever with proper care. Granite is the main option within this category. Stone can be installed as a solid surface, but a more reasonable installation can be done such as granite or limestone tile with narrow grout lines.

Granite exudes elegance in a kitchen, and as its use has become more widespread, prices have dropped. Stone updates even the most modest kitchen. Heat resistant and comes in a variety of colors. It is substantial and will last a lifetime. It can have a matte finish like “sharp” or a shiny polished finish. New sealers require almost no maintenance, but granite may require periodic sealing and some stones, particularly marble, can absorb stains despite being properly sealed. Granite has the second highest hardness rating after diamonds, but any stone can crack if stressed during shipping or installed incorrectly. Stone offers high value to home buyers and, in particular, granite kitchen countertops are stylish and timeless.

2. Based on quartz and acrylic: engineering stone and “solid surface”

Reconstituted stone countertops are made up of 93% quartz particles. Engineered stone offers a wider color gamut than granite and has a non-porous surface that resists scratches. Engineered stone is not as popular as granite and is often mistaken for granite, but the regular consistency of the pattern gives it away as artificial. In fact, engineered stone has all the benefits of granite, but is easier to maintain, without the annual sealing that natural stone requires. It is more expensive than granite or stone. Engineered stone brands include Silestone, DuPont Zodiaq, LG Viatera, and Cambria Quartz.

Like quartz-based engineered stone countertops, there are seamlessly fabricated acrylic-based countertops called “solid surface” countertops. While they also offer a wide variety of colors, patterns, and finishes, they don’t have the natural look of stone. They resist stains, moisture, sunlight and heat, and inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. However, they are vulnerable to hot pots and stains that can damage the surface. Solid Surface countertops are custom made and their acrylic material can be formed to include an integrated sink with seamless installation. Solid Surface countertop brands include Avonite, Corian, and Swanstone.

The term “Solid Surface” for this category of acrylic based material is confusing. These countertops are so named because they are simply what they are called “solid”. However, they are solid, custom-made, fabricated, and seamless countertops, just like quartz-based engineered stone countertops. Furthermore, the term is doubly confusing as stone (granite, marble, limestone) and wood (butcher’s block) countertops are also seamless “solid” countertops, as opposed to veneer-shaped countertops such as laminate or tile. .

3. Tiles: ceramic, aluminum and copper

While ceramic tiles seem dated as a countertop material, they do have many advantages. It is durable, inexpensive, and easy to clean. Ceramic tile countertops are generally installed one section at a time and most people can easily work with the materials. Ceramic finishes are great because they accept hot pans, are easy to clean, and are available in several different textures. The only downsides are that the grout between the tiles can be difficult to clean, the tiles can chip and crack, and the surface can end up uneven. In addition to ceramic tiles, the tiles also come in aluminum and copper for a great new look, whether in brushed or smooth textures. Also, the mosaics can be placed in various sizes and patterns such as squares, meter blocks, and angled such as diamonds. Backsplashes can have unique designs and finish tiles.

4. Stainless steel

To give your kitchen the look of a serious chef at work, or a contemporary industrial design, stainless steel countertops will work for you. This material is extremely heat resistant and durable, and it is easy to precisely build the countertops to your specifications as a seamless surface. While they are easy to clean, on the downside, they can dent and can be very expensive.

5. Concrete

Contemporary and industrial concrete countertops offer another option that combines functionality and sleek modern design. These can be built and cast right in your kitchen and can be stained in color. The new treatments reduce the porous character and eliminate cracking. The concrete is heat and scratch resistant, and the look is exotic and unusual, a nice twist on the modern design theme.

In short, these are kitchen countertop options for all styles and budgets. Any of the five material options for your new or remodeled kitchen will add character and beauty to your toughest kitchen surface. Your choice will define your kitchen, as the countertop is the focus of every kitchen. These options have a proven track record for durability and beauty. While there are other options, such as laminates that scratch, rise up at the edges and look cheap, or butcher block wood surfaces that can be porous, scratched, and require a lot of maintenance, just these five categorical options will increase the value of your home while surviving scratches. , water and food spills to maintain a clean, elegant and decorative appearance.

(c) Elizabeth McMillian from 2012

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