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 hardest-working surfaces in your kitchen. Additionally, there are considerations to consider before choosing a countertop based solely on looks. A countertop should be durable, resistant to scratches, heat, water, stains, 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 material options (natural, manufactured, or engineered) for countertops that can be installed as a solid surface or applied to a backing such as veneer.

The material you choose can influence the type of sink you want, whether it’s built-in, recessed, or undermount. An integrated sink will only work with stainless steel or solid surface materials, like Corian. An undermount sink is the most versatile and can be used with any type of countertop material, and an undermount sink also works with any material except wood.

Also consider textures and borders, 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 that will be carried out on that countertop. While you can choose granite or ceramic for most countertops, you may want a section of wood for chopping, chopping, and slicing, or marble for rolling out cakes and making treats. The combination of two materials can be worked into the design and provide the best solution, where one type of material is for a work area and another for cleaning or eating. In fact, countertops affect the look of the entire kitchen and can make a spectacular 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 leading choice within this category. Stone can be installed as a solid surface, but a more reasonable installation can be done 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 come down. Stone updates even the most modest kitchen. It resists heat and comes in a range of colors. It is substantial and will last a lifetime. It can have a matte finish such as “honed” or a bright polished finish. New sealers are almost maintenance free, but granite may require periodic sealing and some stone, 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 improperly installed. Stone offers high value to homebuyers, and granite kitchen countertops in particular are elegant and timeless.

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

Engineered stone countertops are composed of 93% quartz particles. Engineered stone offers a wider range of colors than granite and has a non-porous surface that resists scratches. Engineered stone is not as popular as granite and is often confused with granite, but the regular consistency of the pattern gives it away as man-made. In fact, engineered stone has all the benefits of granite but is easier to maintain, without the annual sealing required of natural stone. 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 pans and stains that can damage the surface. Solid Surface countertops are made to measure and their acrylic material can be shaped to include an integrated sink with a 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 called because they are simply “solid”. However, they are solid, custom-built countertops, fabricated and seamless, just like quartz-based engineered stone countertops. Also, the term is doubly confusing as stone (granite, marble, limestone) and wood (butcher block) countertops are also “solid” countertops with no seams, as opposed to veneer countertops like laminate or tile.

3. Tile: Ceramic, Aluminum and Copper

Although ceramic tile seems old-fashioned as a countertop material, it has many advantages. It is durable, economical and easy to clean. Ceramic tile countertops are usually installed one section at a time and most people can easily work with the materials. Ceramic finishes are great because they take hot pans, are easy to clean, and are available in a number of 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 be uneven. In addition to ceramic tile, the tiles also come in aluminum and copper for a great new look in either brushed or smooth textures. Also, the tiles can be set in various sizes and patterns such as squares, subway blocks, and angled like diamonds. Backsplashes can have unique designs and tile trim.

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 build countertops precisely to your specifications as a seamless surface. While they are easy to clean, on the downside, they can get dented and can be very expensive.

5.Concrete

Contemporary and industrial concrete countertops offer another option that combines function and sleek modern design. These can be built and shaped right in your kitchen and stained for 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, they are kitchen countertop options for all styles and all budgets. Any of the five material options for your new or remodeled kitchen will add character and beauty to your hard-working kitchen surface. Your choice will define your kitchen as the countertop is the center of every kitchen. These options have a proven track record for durability and beauty. While there are other options, like laminates that scratch, raise at the edges, and look cheap, or solid wood surfaces that can be porous, scratchy, and high-maintenance, only these five categorical options will increase the value of your home. home while surviving scratches. , food and water spills to maintain a clean, elegant and decorative appearance.

(c) 2012 Elizabeth McMillian