Countertops 101 – Basics on Choosing a Kitchen Countertop Material
For many, their kitchen is a very powerful room of their home. And most actual property consultants agree that one of the simplest ways to enhance or increase the property worth of a home is to rework the kitchen. The 4 main elements of a kitchen rework normally contain changing the most important home equipment, putting in new flooring, changing or re-dealing with the kitchen cupboards, and putting in a new countertop. Let’s focus on that remaining element – changing your present kitchen countertop materials with a new one.
Naturally, it includes extra than simply working off to the shop to pick a new countertop to your kitchen. You will first want to contemplate how a lot you wish to spend. You additionally want to consider how a lot effort and time you may have to spend to take care of your new countertop. Finally, you may wish to critically contemplate the fashion and look you need in your kitchen. Whatever sort of countertop you put in, will probably be the focus of your entire room.
The very first sort of countertop that pops into the thoughts of each anxious kitchen renovator is granite. However, there are various countertop supplies to select from – and granite is just one of them. These days, a kitchen transforming hopeful can choose tile, stone, acrylic, concrete, stainless-steel, and laminate, even wooden!
GRANITE
Let’s begin with the preferred: granite. Granite counter tops are the preferred but in addition the costliest. Why? Besides the gorgeous floor, granite is extraordinarily warmth and scratch resistant. A granite countertop may be very sturdy and can final a very long time. A granite countertop won’t ever exit of fashion and granite slab set up will tremendously enhance the worth of the home. The drawbacks? Other than the expense, granite is a pure stone and it’s porous. A sealer shall be required to stop staining. One various is to make use of granite tiles rather than a large slab. The value financial savings on the tiles is excessive. It is vital to not use the granite floor as a reducing board as it can boring the end (and destroy a knife or two.)
OTHER NATURAL STONES
Besides granite, there are different varied stone surfaces that can be utilized on kitchen counters. Quartz, marble, limestone, soapstone, and slate surfaces are extremely popular at the moment. Marble is clean and funky, good for meals preparations instantly on the floor. It’s not as sturdy as granite and requires extra sealing upkeep to guard from staining. Slate may be very sturdy and has such a distinctive floor that it will probably actually stand out in a kitchen. As slate has been used as a roofing materials, it does not require as a lot sealing safety, however some maintenance continues to be wanted. Limestone may be very porous and spills should be handled rapidly to stop staining. It has a pure, weathered look that may deepen and darken over time. Natural quartz has a look just like slate however doesn’t stain or scratch as simply. Engineered quartz has been gaining recognition as properly, however the prices are significantly extra (engineered supplies are a quartz composite product combined with epoxy, polymers, and small stones or pebbles for a distinctive feel and look.)
TILE
Glazed ceramic and porcelain tile has been in style in kitchens for many years. It is available in a large number of colours, shapes, and designs. The tiles will be a small as a sq. inch and as massive as six sq. inches. The tiles are sturdy and now have among the identical warmth and scratch resistance qualities as granite. The porcelain tiles are normally costlier than the ceramic tiles, however the porcelain tiles are extra sturdy and the toughest fired sort of tiles. Drawbacks of tile? It can chip simply, costlier than laminate alternate options, and the grout will be a difficulty. When placing the tiles collectively, there are grout traces between every of them and grout can stain very simply. It would require a lot extra upkeep to maintain it wanting good. Because of the grout points, the power for the tiles to interrupt and chip simply, and the general value, it’s best to depart the set up work to a skilled.
CONCRETE
Concrete just isn’t just for sidewalks or driveways. A concrete countertop is pigmented and will be polished into a clean and glossy floor that may resemble any pure stone. The counters will be molded in a manufacturing facility or forged on website. Concrete is somewhat porous and must be recurrently sealed, just like granite, to withstand stains. It will be made into any form and have any thickness. Concrete can also be warmth and scratch resistant. The counters will be made in a number of colours and textures. Drawbacks on concrete? The sealer that’s required just isn’t the one safety wanted. The sealer must be waxed each one to a few months to stop stain and water harm, so upkeep will be intensive. You can’t reduce on the concrete floor with out leaving marks. Concrete can also be very costly.
STAINLESS STEEL
A restaurant would most likely be the very first thing one would consider in relation to a stainless-steel kitchen counter. But there’s a cause most eating places use this materials. Durability, stain and water resistance, low upkeep, a myriad of measurement and form selections are simply a few of these causes. It’s additionally very straightforward to wash and you may put a sizzling plate or pan on the floor with out fear of damaging it. Drawback – many do not just like the “industrial” look of it. It will be somewhat costly to have made. Cutting on it will probably go away marks and it may be straightforward to dent. It’s vital to ensure the floor is a minimum of 18 gauge and has eight to 10 p.c nickel in it.
WOOD
Sometimes referred to as Butcher Block Countertops, a wooden counter is normally constituted of strips of maple or oak that has been glued collectively. But nearly any hardwood will be made into counter tops. Bamboo counter tops are the newest development! Wood counter materials has a heat, lovely look that may are available a number of shades and textures. It’s good for individuals who wish to reduce instantly on the floor of their counter. It will be sanded and resealed within the occasion of any deep cuts, scratches or stains. It will be straightforward to put in and the costs are cheap. Drawbacks? Wood just isn’t very laborious and might simply burn, scratch, or dent. The wooden can warp or flip black close to sinks from common water contact. And it requires common sealing.
LAMINATE
Formica is the commonest title for laminate counters. It’s manufactured from a skinny layer of plastic glued to particleboard or wooden. Plastic laminate counters are very cheap, light-weight, and obtainable in an countless provide of colours and patterns. It may be very stain-resistant and, as a plastic materials, it’s straightforward to wash. Because it comes pre-fashioned, it may be straightforward for a do-it-yourselfer to put in. Drawbacks to Formica? While these counters are considerably sturdy, they don’t final eternally. Laminates are usually not warmth or scratch resistant however they’re stain resistant. Abrasive cleaners can boring and scratch the floor. Warping or water spots happen with extreme publicity to moisture. The shade or sample can fade with time.
ACRYLLIC/SOLID SURFACE
Solid floor counters are manufactured tops which are customized-made for any software. Popular corporations embody Corian, Avonite, and Swanstone. These surfaces are sturdy, water-resistant, straightforward to wash, non-porous, and are even proof against mildew and micro organism. And nicks or scratches will be sanded away. Drawbacks embody issues dealing with sizzling pans on the floor, excessive expense, and the extreme weight requires a good robust cupboard base (just like pure stone.) Some don’t just like the plastic or “fake” look of the fabric, however the materials does have a big selection of colours to select from.
Replacing the kitchen counter tops is just one step in your purpose to renovate the kitchen, however it’s thought-about the most important step by many. You can actually make a assertion about your kitchen and your own home with the appropriate choice of countertop materials. Of course, when you deal with these worn out counters that got here with the house, it can actually make these outdated cupboards, flooring, and home equipment stand out! It’s all simply a part of the method of accelerating the worth of your property.