Countertops 101
For many, their kitchen is the most important
room in their house. And most real estate experts agree
that the best way to improve or raise the property value
of a house is to remodel the kitchen. The four major components
of a kitchen remodel usually involve replacing the major
appliances, installing new floors, replacing or re-facing
the kitchen cabinets, and installing a new countertop.
Let’s focus on that final component – replacing
your current kitchen countertop material with a new one.
Naturally, it involves more than just running
off to the store to pick out a new countertop for your
kitchen. You will first need to consider how much you
want to spend. You also need to think about how much time
and effort you’ll need to spend to maintain your
new countertop. Finally, you’ll want to seriously
consider the style and look you want in your kitchen.
Whatever type of countertop you install, it will be the
focal point of the entire room.
The very first type of countertop that pops
into the mind of every anxious kitchen renovator is granite.
However, there are many countertop materials to choose
from – and granite is only one of them. These days,
a kitchen remodeling hopeful can select tile, stone, acrylic,
concrete, stainless steel, and laminate, even wood!
GRANITE
Let’s start with the most popular:
granite. Granite countertops are the most popular but
also the most expensive. Why? Besides the beautiful surface,
granite is extremely heat and scratch resistant. A granite
countertop is very durable and will last a long time.
A granite countertop will never go out of style and granite
slab installation will greatly increase the value of the
house. The drawbacks? Other than the expense, granite
is a natural stone and it is porous. A sealer will be
required to prevent staining. One alternative is to use
granite tiles in place of a massive slab. The cost savings
on the tiles is high. It is important to not use the granite
surface as a cutting board as it will dull the finish
(and ruin a knife or two.)
OTHER NATURAL STONES
Besides granite, there are other various
stone surfaces that can be used on kitchen counters. Quartz,
marble, limestone, soapstone, and slate surfaces are very
popular today. Marble is smooth and cool, perfect for
food preparations directly on the surface. It’s
not as durable as granite and requires more sealing maintenance
to protect from staining. Slate is very durable and has
such a unique surface that it can really stand out in
a kitchen. As slate has been used as a roofing material,
it doesn’t require as much sealing protection, but
some upkeep is still needed. Limestone is very porous
and spills must be treated quickly to prevent staining.
It has a natural, weathered look that can deepen and darken
over time. Natural quartz has a look similar to slate
but does not stain or scratch as easily. Engineered quartz
has been gaining popularity as well, but the costs are
considerably more (engineered materials are a quartz composite
product mixed with epoxy, polymers, and small stones or
pebbles for a unique look and feel.)
TILE
Glazed ceramic and porcelain tile has been
popular in kitchens for decades. It comes in a huge variety
of colors, shapes, and designs. The tiles can be a small
as a square inch and as large as six square inches. The
tiles are durable and also have some of the same heat
and scratch resistance qualities as granite. The porcelain
tiles are usually more expensive than the ceramic tiles,
but the porcelain tiles are more durable and the hardest
fired type of tiles. Drawbacks of tile? It can chip easily,
more expensive than laminate alternatives, and the grout
can be an issue. When putting the tiles together, there
are grout lines between each of them and grout can stain
very easily. It will require a lot more maintenance to
keep it looking good. Because of the grout issues, the
ability for the tiles to break and chip easily, and the
overall cost, it is best to leave the installation work
to a professional.
CONCRETE
Concrete is not only for sidewalks or driveways.
A concrete countertop is pigmented and can be polished
into a smooth and shiny surface that can resemble any
natural stone. The counters can be molded in a factory
or cast on site. Concrete is rather porous and needs to
be regularly sealed, similar to granite, to resist stains.
It can be made into any shape and have any thickness.
Concrete is also heat and scratch resistant. The counters
can be made in a variety of colors and textures. Drawbacks
on concrete? The sealer that is required is not the only
protection needed. The sealer needs to be waxed every
one to three months to prevent stain and water damage,
so maintenance can be extensive. You cannot cut on the
concrete surface without leaving marks. Concrete is also
very expensive.
STAINLESS STEEL
A restaurant would probably be the first
thing one would think of when it comes to a stainless
steel kitchen counter. But there is a reason most restaurants
use this material. Durability, stain and water resistance,
low maintenance, a myriad of size and shape choices are
just a few of those reasons. It’s also very easy
to clean and you can put a hot plate or pan on the surface
without worry of damaging it. Drawback – many don’t
like the “industrial” look of it. It can be
rather expensive to have made. Cutting on it can leave
marks and it can be easy to dent. It’s important
to make sure the surface is at least 18 gauge and has
eight to ten percent nickel in it.
WOOD
Sometimes called Butcher Block Countertops,
a wood counter is usually made from strips of maple or
oak that has been glued together. But just about any hardwood
can be made into countertops. Bamboo countertops are the
latest trend! Wood counter material has a warm, beautiful
look that can come in a variety of shades and textures.
It’s perfect for people who want to cut directly
on the surface of their counter. It can be sanded and
resealed in the event of any deep cuts, scratches or stains.
It can be easy to install and the prices are reasonable.
Drawbacks? Wood is not very hard and can easily burn,
scratch, or dent. The wood can warp or turn black near
sinks from regular water contact. And it requires regular
sealing.
LAMINATE
Formica is the most common name for laminate
counters. It’s made of a thin layer of plastic glued
to particleboard or wood. Plastic laminate counters are
very inexpensive, lightweight, and available in an endless
supply of colors and patterns. It is very stain-resistant
and, as a plastic material, it is easy to clean. Because
it comes pre-formed, it can be easy for a do-it-yourselfer
to install. Drawbacks to Formica? While these counters
are somewhat durable, they do not last forever. Laminates
are not heat or scratch resistant but they are stain resistant.
Abrasive cleaners can dull and scratch the surface. Warping
or water spots occur with excessive exposure to moisture.
The color or pattern can fade with time.
ACRYLLIC/SOLID SURFACE
Solid surface counters are manufactured
tops that are custom-made for any application. Popular
companies include Corian, Avonite, and Swanstone. These
surfaces are durable, water resistant, easy to clean,
non-porous, and are even resistant to mold and bacteria.
And nicks or scratches can be sanded away. Drawbacks include
problems handling hot pans on the surface, high expense,
and the excessive weight requires a good strong cabinet
base (similar to natural stone.) Some do not like the
plastic or “fake” look of the material, but
the material does have a wide range of colors to choose
from.
Replacing the kitchen countertops is only
one step in your goal to renovate the kitchen, but it
is considered the biggest step by many. You can really
make a statement about your kitchen and your home with
the right selection of countertop material. Of course,
once you take care of those worn out counters that came
with the home, it will really make those old cabinets,
flooring, and appliances stand out! It’s all just
part of the process of increasing the value of your property.
Timothy K. Clark is the Director of Marketing
for ConstructionDeal.com, a valuable website that matches
Contractors with Property Owners for residential and commercial
improvement, remodeling and repair projects. For more
information, visit http://www.constructiondeal.com
or call 866-663-47111
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